It’s a good time to revamp the herb garden, says gardening columnist JACKIE WARBURTON.
Dividing herbs such as oregano, thyme and marjoram can refresh their growth with the bonus of creating new plants.
When dividing these herbs, dig the entire clump up, divide with a sharp spade and replant straight away.
Apple mint, chocolate mint and spearmint are interesting mint plants to try, but every garden should have common mint to use in a lamb roast or a sprig in a glass of water in summer.
Mint plants have vigorous root systems and should generally be confined to pots to prevent them from becoming rampant.
My favourite mint is Vietnamese mint, a persicaria, which is not of the mint family. It grows to a mounded dome shape that’s a feature in itself. The summer delicate pink flowers are attractive, while the foliage is lime green with light purple markings, which is also unusual.
Its pungent leaves are peppery to taste and something of an acquired taste if eaten raw.
Every few years, Vietnamese mint can be dug up and divided at the end of winter. It reshoots once the soil warms.
Seeds of dill, parsley and basil can be planted in seed-raising mix now and kept on bottom heat until there’s leaf growth and good roots can be seen at the bottom of the pot.
Seedlings can be potted to strengthen or planted out into lightly tilled soil with a sprinkle of diatomaceous earth in October, again when the soil has warmed.
Coriander prefers to grow in colder conditions and can be sown now for a quick crop, but it will bolt to flower and seed as soon as the weather warms.
Heirloom seeds can be collected and stored for planting in autumn because they grow better in the cooler months, right through the winter.
Top up all herb and vegetable gardens with compost and mulch ready for spring.
FLOWERS and potted colour in the herb and vegetable gardens encourage pollinators and bring the bees into the garden when early fruit trees are flowering, such as almonds, peaches and nectarines.
Some of the best, long-lasting potted colour to use are dianthus, calendulas, violas and alyssum.
Dianthuses are terrific old-fashioned plants that grow more as a biannual than an annual. They are a long-lasting flowering plant and in the second year can be divided to create new plants.
While the common flowering colour is pink, there are many shades of pink and two-toned colours available, some with more frill on the petals than others.
They will flower right through to summer and grow well under large shrubs and trees as a ground cover.
The flower colours are endless, but readily available are white, red, purple and multi-colours.
The latest on my wishlist is a deep-red, double-flowering, compact dianthus called Passion. It has a spicy fragrance and is great for small gardens and spaces.
KEEP watering in cooler months because the frost draws moisture from the ground and, when the weather warms, the soil can become hydrophobic and compacted.
Jottings
- Keep feeding bulbs that are flowering to keep them flowering longer.
- Plant grevilleas for winter colour and to attract the bees.
- Keep bird baths and ponds clear of autumn leaves.
- Continue to harvest broad beans to encourage new flowering.
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