Common Name
(click for details)

Position

Sow or
Plant

Beginner
Rating
(1 easy, 3 hard)

Harvest

Sow to Harvest

Notes

Basil

Seed sown in April

July to October

3 months

Suitable for containers.

Bay

Purchase tree in October or April

All year

6 months

Best in containers - unrestrained it can reach 18m (60') high. Take indoors during hard frost.

Chives

Root division or seed sown in April

All year if cloche protection in frost.

3 months

Attractive flowers. Extremely tolerant of most conditions. Can be grown indoors.

Dill

Seed sown in April

July to October

4 months

Can be grown indoors. Is an annual, so collect seeds in autumn for spring planting.

Garlic

Plant fresh bulb from greengrocer in March!

end September

6 months

Extremely tolerant of soil conditions and position.

Mint

Rooted cutting October or April

July to October

6 months

Invasive - restrict to pot growth. Tolerant of shade. Easy to propagate

Oregano/
marjoram

Seed sown in April

July to October

3 months

Very fragrant. Suitable for containers. Attractive flowers. Sweet marjoram less hardy than pot marjoram.

Parsley

Seed sown in April and September

All year if cloche protection in hard frost.

3 months

Extremely tolerant of soil conditions and position.

Rosemary

Cuttings or seed sown in April

All year if cloche protection in hard frost.

3 months

Attractive flowers. Can be grown indoors. Suitable for containers

Sage

Rooted cutting October or April

April to October

6 months

Protect from frost when young. Replace every three years.

Seed sown in August

August

6 years

Requies an acid soil. Frost tender so not suitable to most parts of the UK.

Tarragon

Rooted cutting
October or April

April to October

6 months

Protect from frost especially when young. Replace every three years.

Thyme

Root division or cuttings in April

July to October

3 months

Highly scented when crushed. Suitable for containers.