THYME

Versatile and easy to grow herbs, their strong flavour is best when combined with all sorts of robust meat and vegetable dishes. It can also be grown in the flower garden or in pots on the patio. Culinary: Thyme enhances soups, vegetables and poultry, also red meat and dishes cooked with wine. A main ingredient in Bouquet Garni.

To Sow and Grow: Sow indoors, a warm kitchen windowsill is all you need for starting these seeds.Sow 0.5cm (1/4) deep, thinly in a small pot of compost. Water well and place in a warm position. A temperatue of 15-20C (60-68F) is ideal. Keep moist. seedlings usually appear in 14-28 days. Transplant seedlings individually to 8cm (3) pots when large enough to handle. Grow on in cooler but not cold conditions. Gradually accustom young plants to outside conditions (avoid frosts), before planting out 25cm (10) apart. Give cloche protection in auatumn to allow picking into winter.