It is time to get active in the herb garden. The garden centres are full of lush and healthy plants that are just begging to be taken home. But there is nothing more disappointing than buying a healthy plant and after a few weeks it turns up its toes and dies. They say failure is good for us, but success is nicer. Here are 10 tips from Bouquet Garni's Di-Di Hoffman to set you up for a successful herb season:

1. Be prepared.
   Even before you buy your herbs, have the area prepared so that the herbs can be planted as soon as you get home. Soil should be loosened down to about 25cm (one spade depth) and compost and bonemeal mixed in. The more sand or clay there is in the soil, the more compost should be added to improve its quality.
   
   
2. Pick winners.
   Some herbs really are harder to kill than others. If you are not sure how green your fingers are you can't go wrong with the following herbs - Bulbinella (Bulbine frutescens), Borage (Borago officinalis) Fennel (Foeniculum vulgare), Feverfew (Tanacetum parthenium) Hyssop (Hyssopus officinalis), Oregano (Origanum Vulgaris), Rose geranium (Pelargonium 'Graveolens'), Rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis), Thyme (Thymus vulgaris) and Winter Savory (Satureja montana). That is quite an extensive list, which shows how easy herbs are.
   
   
3. Buy the best herbs.
   Don't always fall for the herb that is in flower. The leaves should be healthy and disease free, not yellowing or wilting. Look for signs of insect infestation, blackened areas, holes, spots, mushy areas, stickiness and distortions. Check the shape of the plant. The bushy herbs will normally produce a better harvest than the long leggy ones. Check the roots. A good herb will fill its pot with roots. If you can't knock off the pot, its "pot-bound", but if it's healthy, buy it. If there aren't many roots and a whole heap of potting soil falls it's too small. Finally, herbs without flowers transplant better than those in flower.
   
   
4. Don't leave the herbs hanging around.
   If you have to run other errands as well as buy herbs, make the garden centre the last stop. Herbs, or any plant, cannot survive for hours in a hot boot. Drive home immediately and unpack them before you do anything else. Plant them out as soon as possible. Many herbs die before they even get into the ground because their owners leave them for a week before planting and forget to water them.
   
   
5. The truth about terracotta.
   Clay pots were made to go with herbs. But what many people don't realise is that a new clay or terracotta pot should be soaked in water before use. If you don't soak a pot first it tends to draw in the water that should go to the plant. Also you may notice that when you water, the water just runs straight through. Plug the hole in the bottom of the pot, fill it with water and allow it to soak for a day or at least overnight. Then take out the plug and use as normal.
   
   
6. Don't plant a 10-dollar herb in a 10-cent hole.
   When planting in the garden, dig a planting hole about twice the diameter of the pot and at least twice as deep as the pot is tall.
   
   
7. The four things books don't tell you.
   Herbs should be given a thorough soaking to ensure that their root balls are wet. Once planted, dry root balls are difficult to wet thoroughly and often result in losses. It is okay to disturb the roots. Knock the herb from its pot and tease a few of the biggest roots out of the root ball. A seriously pot-bound herb can be given a heavy teasing. When planting, check that the herb is facing its 'best side' and when filling in the soil firm it down with your hands but don't make it so hard that the soil compacts.
   
   
8. Don't over water.
   Herbs need regular watering. Rather water thoroughly and less frequently than a little and often. Herbs in pots need more regular watering than those planted in the ground. Check the moisture daily, especially in hot or windy conditions. Water in the morning or early evening and give the pot a thorough soaking.
   
   
9. Well-fed herbs are happy herbs.
   Feed once a month with a liquid fertiliser like Margaret Roberts Supercharger, Nitrosol or Sheer Blue at half the strength. Herbs in pots can be fed every two weeks also with liquid fertiliser at half strength. However, too much food can create sappy growth and a less tasty herb.
   
   
10.  Reap what you sow.
    Don't be afraid to cut your herbs; they shouldn't grow into large bushes. Herbs benefit from regular pruning and harvesting as their growth becomes bushier.

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