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Mint plants give the best flavour and fragrance from new growth and are renowned for their vigour. So take cuttings in spring and you'll have young mint plants bursting with flavour and ripe for the picking to last you all summer. Mint plantSecateursPot or modular seed tray and p...

/vermiculite John Innes No. 2 compost for potting onMay - August30 minutesSnip off shoots of new growth 10cm - 15cm long. To reduce moisture loss, remove most of the lower leaves so you have a clean length of stem.Use a sharp knife to cut off the base of the stem

by a sea of blue campanula flowers. March - JulyJune - August20 minutesMyrtle, Myrtus communis subsp. tarentinaCampanula portenschlagiana x2Small window boxCrocksLoam-based compost, such as John Innes No. 3Cover the bottom of the window box with crocks

stems to keep plants compact. Pick all the evergreen herbs from the top, rather than the side, to promote new growth.May-Octoberall year round30 minutesBronze fennel, Foeniculum vulgare x2Common sorrel, Rumex acetosa x3Curly-leaf parsley, Petroselinum

-Septemberall year round30 minutesGolden curly oregano, Origanum vulgare 'Aureum Crispum' x3Israeli sage, Salvia officinalis 'Nazareth' x2Rosemary, Rosamarinus officinalis x1Thyme, Thymus vulgaris x2Winter savory, Satureja montana x 1Terracotta pot (40 x 32cm) x1Peat

Watch Monty Don as he creates a scented garden using a variety of lavender plants, with suggestions for encouraging bushy growth.summerMore advice on growing herbsMedicinal herbs by Jekka McVicarPicking herbsRaising new mint plantsPlanting herbs in a window box video projectBrows...

Rachel de Thame explains how to grow apple, pineapple and curly mint varieties in a pot, with advice on compost, planting and maintenance.springMore on growing herbsPractical advice on raising herbsVideo guide to How to grow peppermint and thyme in a containerGrow herbs from seed...

it with one or several different varieties of thyme for a good mix of colour and flavours.April - MayJune - September20 minutesDwarf lavender, such as 'Kew Red' or 'Munstead'Thyme plants x5Hanging basketCompostWater-retaining crystalsSlow-release fertiliser

plants will attract a wide range of pollinating insects.Pinch out the growing tips of the plants to encourage bushy growth, then hang the finished basket in a sunny, sheltered site where you can enjoy its scent.May - JuneJune - September20 minutes

Jekka McVicar's 10 companion plantsJekka McVicar's organic herb garden achieved a gold medal at the Chelsea Flower Show 2009. We caught up with her at the show to discover her top 10 herbs for growing as companion plants.Companion planting