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and mintIce cube traysummer-autumn30 minutesSelect the healthiest and freshest shoots of yourchosen herb and cut the leaves away from the stems. Wash the leaves, then chop them up into small pieces using a sharp knife or a pair of kitchen scissors

taste delicious and are much loved by Jekka's dog, and her extensive collection of myrtles. It is always fascinating to visit a proper growing nursery where you can see the plants at every stage, from little baby seedlings to the larger plants

of your plants will encourage bushy growth. Keep on watering them and they can be planted outside in summer.More on growing herbsAdvice on growing and harvesting herbs.How to raise new mint plants.How to grow basil from seed.Plant herbs in a window box.

by tiny amounts of mint and anything I've managed to grow indoors.By summer I am able to make what my partner and I call a 'Chef Salad', based on a wonderful dish we once had while dining out. It consists of as many types of leaf as possible, plus tomatoes

Taking root cuttings couldn't be easier and it's the ideal way to increase your stock of perennials, such as phlox, rhus, mint, Japanese anemones and Primula denticulata (see picture). Take cuttings now and you'll be potting up new plants in spring

, Foeniculum vulgare, produces attractive yellow blooms that attract hoverflies, which prey on aphids.FennelThe strongly scented leaves of mint, Mentha spicata, confuse pests of carrots, tomatoes, alliums and brassicas, and deter flea beetles. But grow it in a

. 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

Hampton Court Palace Flower Show is always a good place to look for new 'grow your own' ideas.  The Growing Tastes Marquee this year was better than ever: my highlights for 2010 were garlic and blueberries.I could smell The Garlic Farm's beautiful

, garlic chives, lemon balm, chervil, or even mint.Lastly, don't forget radish. You'll often find them in seed ranges developed for children as they're so quick and easy to grow, although I do doubt that may kids actually enjoy eating them

, coriander, mint, thyme and rosemary.Then there are nasturtiums - vibrant, colourful blooms produced in profusion by these easy-to-grow hardy annuals. They have a warming, peppery flavour, not unlike watercress. Which is hardly surprising when you realise