The wind is still slightly chilly and the sun a little shy but spring, with all its bright blossoms and colours, has sprung. It is the perfect time to bring colour and fragrance to your home by planting an herb window box. Here’s how:

Start with a layer of gravel at the bottom of the window boxes, then fill them with a mixture of potting soil and compost, and plant your favourite salad and herb varieties. Remember, the window boxes have to get enough sun and water. In our herb box we planted golden origanum, rosemary, dill, butter lettuce, parsley, mustard leaves, sweet rocket, celery, thyme, spring onions, violas and pansies.

Herbal harmony

• Origanum is perfect with pasta and pizza. Also chew a twig to freshen your breath or relieve toothache.
• Rosemary gives roast leg of lamb some pizzazz and helps to relieve tension if you make an infusion with it using boiling water and honey.
• Dill is delicious with fish and egg dishes. Also try it as a quick fix for indigestion.
• Thyme is lovely in almost any salty dish and is purported to have antiaging properties.
• Spring onions complement and add a delightful flavour to dips, salads and stir-fries. The plant is also a natural antibiotic.

Words and image: Home magazine