With spring on the horizon, we had the pleasure of sitting down with Jekka McVicar – “the Queen of herbs” and Riverstone’s herb gardener – to gain practical tips and tricks for the healthiest herbs to pot, and to learn why a dose of gardening is good for the soul.

Jekka walked us through a variety of her favourite herbs, ranging from Za’attar and Myrtle, to Japanese Szechuan Pepper, noting their horticultural history, medicinal benefits and how they need to be cared for. Importantly, all these herbs are fit for balcony growing, as living in the heart of London often means more carefully curated, smaller garden spaces.

Tips for potting & growing

• Choose the right herbs: Select herbs you will use instead of wasting space with herbs you might not use. Popular choices include basil, parsley, thyme and coriander, all complementing a wide range of dishes.

• Ensure sufficient light: Whether your herb garden is on a balcony, in the kitchen or in a larger garden, assess the light conditions and make sure your herbs get approximately six hours of sunlight a day.

• Don’t let your plants drown: Make sure your containers have adequate drainage holes. Put some broken pot – ‘crocks’ – in the bottom to ensure the draining hole remains open so the roots don’t become waterlogged.
• Use quality potting mix:Invest in a high-quality peat-free, potting mix specifically formulated for container gardening. Herbs require nutrient-rich soil to thrive.
• Be gentle: When potting and re-potting to larger pots, be gentle to avoid stressing the plant and damaging new shoots.

• Feed on Fridays: Herbs require a little nourishment and regular feeding is essential for healthy herb growth. Jekka recommends feeding in the morning and ‘feeding on Fridays’ to ensure you always remember.

Green spaces at Riverstone

While cooking with herbs can bring joy, cultivating and caring for them brings great pleasure too. Gardens and green spaces are associated with better physical, mental, and social health, which is why outdoor space is at the heart of our Kensington and Fulham developments.

Our beautiful, private landscaped gardens are for residents and their families to explore and enjoy.