How to create your own "herb garden" to add flavor and aroma to your dishes

Herbs that give dishes a special flavor and aroma can be bought or grown on your own personal plot. And if they are heat-loving plants, they are planted in pots and containers and kept on sunny windowsills.

On the topic of growing culinary herbs, SSPDaily talked to Jackie McVicar, the owner of an herb farm in South Gloucestershire. Here is what the expert advised.

Grow what you need

"My main advice," she says, "is to grow what you're going to use or choose the most popular varieties - basil, parsley, thyme, coriander, chives and oregano. These versatile herbs will complement a wide range of dishes and add freshness to your cooking. They are good to plant in the garden, in beds or in pots on the windowsill.

Create comfortable conditions for the plants

"Understanding the specific needs of herbs," Jacka explained, "is a prerequisite for their growth. Herbs should be grown in conditions as close to their natural environment as possible."

According to her, most popular culinary herbs come from the Mediterranean and the Middle East, so they like sun or shaded areas with light, drained, moisture-absorbing, fertile soil and plenty of organic matter.

Drainage is the key to success

"If you grow your plants in pots," she says, "make sure they have drainage holes in the bottom to prevent waterlogging and root rot. And to prevent the holes from clogging, the expert advises, you can put a few stones or pieces of ceramic at the bottom of the pot.

Water in moderation

The most important thing when watering is not to overdo it. "On our farm," says Jackie, "we always water the herbs in the morning so that they 'go to bed' dry."

This rule also works when growing plants indoors, because excess moisture leads to fungal infections and mold."

Remember to fertilize

"Although herbs are not fertilizer-demanding, water alone will not be enough," the expert believes, "and a moderate amount of fertilization can be very beneficial.

"I recommend," Jackie said, "using a high quality compost for potted plants. It's peat-free and full of the nutrients plants need."

Fresh compost lasts about six weeks. Therefore, during the growing season, the expert recommends feeding the plants once a week with an organic seaweed liquid fertilizer.

Pruning for growth

Jackie also advised: "Cut off the tips from the top to the growing node (where new leaves appear), especially for herbs in the Lamiaceae family, such as basil, mint, and oregano. Careful pruning stimulates growth and bushiness and produces a bountiful harvest."