Create a chef’s garden

Love fresh herbs? Plant your own to keep their flavours always at your fingertips

Have you got enough thyme on your hands? Or basil, parsley, mint or rosemary? Fresh herbs add magic to your meals, and the fresher they are the better, so a herb garden right next to your kitchen is perfect. It serves as an inspiration, it smells glorious and you can also make it look pretty. Sometimes, though, this is not practical. If your garden is a courtyard or a balcony, plant herbs in a pod or containers – then all you need is sunshine.

Take advantage of portable raised beds – you can move them to chase the sun – such as this Vegepod, from $189, vegepod.com.au.

POPULAR HERBS Many herbs are annuals and have shallow roots, while others are perennials. A few grow into lovely bushes or, if you have room, pluck your herbs from a tree. Try growing these favourites

Annuals Basil, parsley, dill, chervil, coriander

Perennials Mint, thyme, sage, oregano, marjoram

Ornamental bush Rosemary (can be grown in a pot)

Tree

Bay laurel (can be grown in a pot)

CARE FOR YOUR HERBS Unless you're talking mint – which prefers part shade – herbs need sunlight, well-drained soil or poing mix, and water, especially when it’s hot and dry. Don’t add too much compost because it speeds up growth and will encourage plants to bolt and go to seed, which means you’ll lose flavour. Some Mediterranean plants, such as rosemary and sage, actually thrive in poor-quality soils.