Thyme (2 litres)

This popular herb is a member of the mint family. Very aromatic, it has small, grey-green leaves, and a sweetly earthy flavour. There are many different varieties, but the most readily available in the UK are the common or ‘garden’ thyme. Thyme works well with Mediterranean vegetables, eggs, pork, lamb, fish and game.

Deters blackfly from broad beans and roses.

Fresh cut thyme should be wrapped in damp kitchen paper, placed in a perforated bag and stored in the fridge. It will last for up to 5-6 days. Dried thyme should be kept in an airtight container in a cool, dark place – it should last for 4-6 months.

Use in stews, stuffings, marinades, omelettes or scrambled eggs.

Thyme naturally grows in rocky outcrops with lots of sun and drainage so if you plant it into the garden use it as an edging in the herb border or bed and allow it to creep over the edges of pathways or over rocks, like all sun loving herbs it will need watering from time to time in the summer when we have had little rainfall.