Herb Gardening: Grow Your Own Flavour (UK Guide)
Fresh herbs transform everyday cooking, and they’re the perfect entry point for new gardeners. Most herbs thrive in small pots on a sunny windowsill or balcony, need minimal care, and provide harvests within weeks.
Quick Answer: Start with basil, parsley and chives in 15cm pots on a sunny windowsill. Sow seeds March–May, water when compost feels dry, and harvest outer leaves to encourage bushy growth. Most herbs are ready to pick 6–8 weeks after sowing.
Table of Contents
- Getting Started with Herbs
- What You Need
- Best Herbs for Beginners
- Common Mistakes
- Common Problems and Fixes
- Recommended Products
Best Herbs for Beginners
See our detailed Best Herbs for Containers guide for the complete list. Top picks include:
- Basil: Fast-growing, perfect for pesto
- Parsley: Slow to germinate but incredibly reliable
- Chives: Cut-and-come-again, mild onion flavour
- Rosemary: Hardy perennial, great for roast potatoes
- Mint: Keep contained—it spreads aggressively