MAY I N THE HERB GARDEN…
l As the weather and the soil warms you can sow annual
herbs directly into the ground. Sow dill and chervil now, and
basil towards the end of the month, but be aware that it needs dependable warmth and is always better in a polytunnel or greenhouse. You can of course keep basil indoors on windowsills, but for pesto levels of leaves to harvest, you will need lots of plants, and that means sowing. l You can still sow seeds of
calendulas and pot marigolds for late golden peppery summer petals used as ‘poor man’s saffron’.
l Lavender will start to flower in the next month or so. The flowers can be used in sweet and savoury dishes and are at their most potent just as they start to show colour, so harvest them early.