Sow: April, May
Harvest: June, July
This super-speedy annual herb is one of few herbs that can be classed as both a herb and a spice. The type you grow depends on what you want to use it for. Grow Leisure or Cilantro if you want coriander leaf, and Moroccan if you want to use the seed.
Growing: Prepare a fine seed bed and sow where you intend to grow the plants in drills or holes 1cm deep. Germination takes place 1-2 weeks after sowing. Once the seedlings are 5-6cm high, thin them out to about 10-15cm apart. Make a succession of sowings to keep you in coriander leaf throughout the growing season. Keep an eye on coriander, as it will mature quickly and go to seed.
Maintenance: Coriander prefers well-drained soil, plenty of sunshine and doesn't like to compete with weeds, so keep the plants well mulched. Coriander doesn't require any additional feeding as this will result in a loss of its flavour.
Problems and benefits: Coriander isn't prone to most common pests, but it can suffer from downy mildew and bacterial wilt. Treat the mildew with garlic spray or an organic mildew preventative. If bacterial wilt occurs, remove and burn the plants - do not compost. Coriander makes an ideal companion plant for most vegetables because it repels aphids and helps attract bees into the garden.