Corking way to cut time spent planting

Planting takes such a lot of time – how can I speed the process? Jamie, London

When planting many seed trays, use a dibber that can make several holes at once. Find yourself a ruler and glue wine corks along the flat side. These will be the perfect size for seedling trays and will cut planting time in half. Most herb gardens tend to be very low-maintenance and won’t require crop rotation like other harvests.

In fact, these scented splendours are perfect for companion planting.

Chamaemelum nobile, commonly known as chamomile, is a nurse herb to many other plants and will collect potassium, calcium, and sulphur, returning it to the soil when used as a mulch. Roman chamomile will attract aphid-eating hoverflies and ladybugs, so it’s great planted next to cabbage.

A dandelion’s deep tap roots will break up heavy soils and release the chemical ethylene, which stimulates the ripening of fruit, the opening of flowers, and the shedding of leaves.

Other plant- boosters include borage, which deters tomato hornworm, clover, which encourages nitrogen into soil, and spearmint, which helps to discourage aphids when planted near roses.

PERMANENT PLANTING

Annual/biennial herbs like parsley, dill and basil will grow quickly and need to be sown every few weeks throughout spring and summer.

Perennial herbs like chives and sage are slow-growing and best sown in a permanent area offering full sun and well-drained, fertile soil with plenty of organic matter worked in.

Alternatively, herbs work beautifully in a window box, grown in a container or in an attractive hanging basket display.

For planting now, sow inside or under glass, situating seeds 0.5cm deep for seedlings to appear in two to four weeks. They’ll give you a continuous harvest to stock your kitchen and medicine cabinet – just think about how much you’ll save.

Growing seed is great fun but for quick results pre-potted herbs can be bought in garden centres all year