HERBS AT HOME

These hardy plants will thrive in the colder months

- KIM ARENDSE

THYME

This hardy, perennial herb is easy to grow. It's frost-hardy but also copes with dry conditions.

Water-wise thyme does well in pots, as a creeping herb or as ground cover in a garden, with some varieties staying green throughout winter and producing pretty pink or lavender fragrant flowers.

Keep in a spot that receives plenty of sun and ensure that the soil is sandy and well-drained. Feed with a liquid fertiliser about once a month and pick leaves and sprigs regularly to encourage growth.

ROSEMARY

Hardy and evergreen rosemary makes for a great winter shrub or hedge, especially frost-hardy varieties. This herb is happy when mostly sheltered from wind but in the sun, although it will grow almost anywhere. It enjoys soil with good drainage and doesn't like being over-watered. When grown in a pot, ensure that it has sufficient space to grow wildly and feed with a kelp-based fertiliser in spring.

CORIANDER

This easy-to-grow, water-loving herb isn't a fan of frost so keep it indoors in a spot that receives a lot of natural light during the colder months. In summer, afternoon shade is appreciated by this sun-sensitive plant. It needs to be planted in a deep container to accommodate its long roots as it tends to grow wildly. The pot should have good drainage and lightly composted soil. For best growth, don't overwater once the plant is establishedit doesn't like damp conditions. Keep soil free of weeds.

OREGANO

This water-wise, robust perennial is hardy during colder months, provided the plant is well-rooted - ideally indoors-mulched and protected from wind. Place in a sunny but sheltered position. While it will make a lovely hedge, it also does well in a pot, in soil that's well drained. The more you harvest the better it grows.