Focus on... Herb propagation

While you can buy herb plants from garden centres, you can save money if you are willing to try home propagation. Find out how to learn new skills, as Luey explains

- Lucy Chamberlain

I’M a massive fan of culinary herbs and still get surprised by how well they combine with homegrown veg. The right partnership elevates the tasty into the sublime: carrot and coriander, or tomato and basil are conventional, but why not try combinations such as asparagus with dill, or courgette and mint?

You should let fruit in on the act, as well. Strawberries with mint is a classic, but thyme and melon or basil with peaches can make a refreshing change. Once you discover one good pairing, you’ll be addicted to finding more!

“The golden rule: propagate from healthy stock!”

Buying plants from garden centres is one way to boost your collection, but it’s rewarding to flex your green fingers with home propagation. As well as learning new skills, you’ll save yourself money and can quickly bulk up plants to share with like-minded friends. Now is an ideal time to propagate many herbs, so I’ve looked at three simple methods (see page 20). Just bear in mind the golden rule: only propagate from healthy stock!

Getting started

Seeds are readily available from specialists such as jekkas.com, chilternseeds.co.uk and nickysnursery.co.uk – you’ll find a range much wider than those available as plants in garden centres. Most are simple to start off in a heated propagator this or next month, but check the specifics; lavender can benefit from being chilled, and savoury seeds don’t like to be covered over, for example. Don’t worry – these details will be given on the packet.