Planted in pretty pots they'll look lovely, put them in a sunny spot and keep them well watered. When you're cooking, simply nip out onto the balcony and snip off the leaves you need, your plant will grow new ones for you, to replace those you've taken.

So what herbs should you grow? Chives are very easy to grow and they grow fast. They also have gorgeous purple pom-pom flowers, however they do have an onion-like smell so if you don't like the smell of onion you might not want this too near your seating area! Add chives to your fish pie or potato salad.

Mint is also very easy to grow and it too will grow fast. Add a sprig of mint when you cook new potatoes or peas, or add to hot water for a refreshing mug of mint tea, great for settling the stomach.

Rosemary has a lovely herbal aroma and will perfectly complement roast lamb or roast potatoes. Coriander grows quickly and is lovely in soups or salads, basil has a unique flavour, lovely eaten as a salad leaf, or why not make your own pesto? Basil can be troubled by aphids though so watch out for that. A spray with diluted washing up liquid can help with this.