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whenever you want them.May - JulyJuly - August30 minutes Herbs, e.g. basil, coriander, chives, rosemary, parsleyWindow boxDrillBubble wrapPolystyrene chipsCompostGrit Slate chippingsDrill holes in the bottom of the container and line the sides with bubble

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

June - August20 minutesRue, Ruta graveolens 'Jackman's Blue'Miniature patio roses x2Pale green thyme, Thymus pulegioides 'Foxley'Garlic chives x3Small lavender, such as 'Munstead' x3Window boxCrocksPeat-free multi-purpose compostPlace the crocks

Why do people turn their noses up at edible flowers? What could be more delicious than beautiful chive heads tossed into a salad? They add quite an intense burst of onion flavour when eaten - probably more powerful than chopped chive leaves

the dead bits of rosemary and hope it pulls through.In the meantime, my annual herbs (basil, coriander and flat-leaf parsley) are coming on well. These I grow in grow bags with the tomatoes, along with more chives (which I once read can help improve

will suffer if the compost dries out in hot weather.May-OctoberMay-October30 minutesCelery leaf, Apium graveolens x2Chives, Allium schoenoprasum x3Mint, Mentha spicata x1Purple shiso, Oerilla frutescens var. purpurascens x3Rosemary, Rosmarinus officinalis x1

Feed tomatoes in growing bags and pots with a liquid high-potash fertiliser Plant nerines, lachenalia and veltheimia bulbs in potsTake leaf cuttings from begonias, Cape primroses and African violetsSow winter lettuces in potsPot up clumps of chives

. It may be cheating Nature but it extends the life of your plants and gives you handfuls of herbs to enjoy.HerbsSecateurs or scissorsIce-cube traysMarch - August (or whenever herbs have usable foliage)10 minutes Chives grow quickly in spring and summer

Growing herbs from seed discs is a simple alternative for anyone who struggles with sowing small herb and salad seeds. These are filled with seeds for herbs such as basil, chives and parsley, or salads such as mixed leaves, mesclun or rocket

Will our love affair with Verbena bonariensis ever wane? This fabulous flower looks as good growing individually among low border plants as it does planted en masse. The open, airy quality of the stems only adds to the appeal. Wildlife loves V