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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 is an organic method of maintaining a na...

Unlocking the power of plants A herb garden is not only a place of beauty, it's also a medicine chest, holding remedies to many ailments. Discover the healing properties of the herbs in your garden.Find out how to... grow garlicUntil the 17th century, herbs were the principal ing...

Whether you're barbecuing, roasting, casseroling or cooking poultry in a crock, herbs can greatly enhance the flavour. They can be chopped and mixed with salt and rubbed into or under the skin. Handfuls can also be put into the cavity of the bird. Alternatively, chop and add them...

Herbs make the perfect partners to vegetables, whether they're eaten raw, roasted, boiled, mashed or fried. Mint is delicious cooked or raw, with root vegetables, in salads or dressings and marinades. Chives, with their mild onion flavour, are very versatile and can be chopped an...

Surround your roses with strongly scented companion plants, such as lavender, thyme, rue and garlic chives, to help keep aphids at bay. While gardeners are attracted by their beauty, rose pests are deterred by the herbs' strong scents. March - April June - August20 minutesRue, Ru...

it whenever necessary to prevent it swamping the other plants.Be careful when handling the lantana if you have sensitive skin, as the aromatic foliage can cause irritation.If frost is forecast after planting up, protect these plants by bringing the pot under

they need to be brought indoors when the weather turns cold. The rest of the plants can remain outside in the pot.AdamPosition the pot in full sun, somewhere the plants will be brushed against so their leaves will release their aromatic oils.More information