You can’t beat a few fresh herbs sprinkled in your cooking pot and they are so easy to grow. Why not try a few select herbs in a growing bag by your back door
WHY GROW THEM?
Because fresh, young herbs give a powerful punch to your cooking and are so much better than dried herbs. Herbs also need to be handy and this herby growing bag is ideal to place by your back door.
WHAT YOU WILL NEED
A growing bag
About 1-2m (39in-78in) of hanging basket liner (cut off a roll from a garden centre) or hessian
About 8-9 small pots (31/2in/9cm) of herbs of your choice
WHEN TO GROW
Ideally start this herby bag in the spring but it can be planted up later during the summer months too.
STEP-BY-STEP MAKING A HERBY BAG
1 First plump up the growing bag to break up the compost inside and then make about 10 holes in the base of the bag
2 Turn the bag the right way up and wrap with the hanging basket liner or hessian. Tuck the ends in and place by your back door
3 Cut crosses through the material and the growing bag with scissors. Make sure you get them evenly apart across the bag. Fold under the flaps to form a planting space.
4 Remove some of the compost from the space and place in a bucket. Take the herbs out of their pots and plant into the holes you have made. Return some of the compost. Gently dribble around the rootball and then firm lightly.
HARVESTING
You can pluck a few leaves off almost straight away although be careful not to defoliate the plant. Allow it to establish and grow a bit ideally. You only need a very little amount of fresh leaf to add excellent flavour to your cooking.