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How Do I... Create a Potted Herb Garden?
A container garden of herbs is a chef's dream come true – an expert shares some helpful hints for planting success
You don’t need an awful lot of space or gardening know-how to successfully grow potted herbs at home. And there are plenty of good reasons to give it a go – not only will freshly grown herbs look (and smell) fabulous, but they’ll also save you a fortune buying the supermarket variety every time you cook a meal. Katie Eggleton, greenlife buyer at Bunnings, shares her top tips for planting a potted herb garden.
Be aware of seasonal varieties
Some herbs are seasonal and will grow best at certain times of year, so check the label before purchasing.
Garlic bulbs can only be bought and planted around March, whereas other herbs such as basil are cold-sensitive and won’t survive outdoor temperatures below 6-8°C at night. Coriander grows fast and can tend to bolt (reach a phase where it stops producing leaves) if the weather change is too severe – this will cause it to throw seeds rather than produce edible foliage, so best to choose a slow-bolt variety.
Browse inspiring container gardens
Some herbs are seasonal and will grow best at certain times of year, so check the label before purchasing.
Garlic bulbs can only be bought and planted around March, whereas other herbs such as basil are cold-sensitive and won’t survive outdoor temperatures below 6-8°C at night. Coriander grows fast and can tend to bolt (reach a phase where it stops producing leaves) if the weather change is too severe – this will cause it to throw seeds rather than produce edible foliage, so best to choose a slow-bolt variety.
Browse inspiring container gardens
Choose a warm, sunny spot
Most herbs grow best in spring and autumn when the temperature is fairly moderate, and it’s neither too wet nor too dry. Some herbs, such as basil, are frost-sensitive and need to be brought inside on winter nights.
Most herbs prefer to grow outside in a sunny spot. If you decide to grow your herbs indoors, choose a sunny part of the room such as the kitchen windowsill. Good-quality potting mix is a must.
Image: Bunnings
Most herbs grow best in spring and autumn when the temperature is fairly moderate, and it’s neither too wet nor too dry. Some herbs, such as basil, are frost-sensitive and need to be brought inside on winter nights.
Most herbs prefer to grow outside in a sunny spot. If you decide to grow your herbs indoors, choose a sunny part of the room such as the kitchen windowsill. Good-quality potting mix is a must.
Image: Bunnings
Planting tips
When planting different herbs together in the same pot, the most important thing is to match up those with the same water requirements. Mint, for example, needs far more water than most. It can spread far and wide and become a potential weed, so best to plant in a pot on its own or mixed with other varieties.
When planting different herbs together in the same pot, the most important thing is to match up those with the same water requirements. Mint, for example, needs far more water than most. It can spread far and wide and become a potential weed, so best to plant in a pot on its own or mixed with other varieties.
Herbs that go well together
The following mixes look great together in the one pot and have the same water requirements:
The following mixes look great together in the one pot and have the same water requirements:
- Parsley, coriander and basil
- Chives, basil and garlic
- Oregano, rosemary and thyme
- Mint and chocolate mint
Choosing the right pot
You can grow herbs in whatever pot you like, as long as it gives the herbs plenty of room to grow and it has good drainage (check there are holes in the bottom).
Remember, the more space you give your herbs the larger they will grow. If you haven’t got much room and you prefer to keep your herbs a compact size, use smaller pots and crop them often.
You can grow herbs in whatever pot you like, as long as it gives the herbs plenty of room to grow and it has good drainage (check there are holes in the bottom).
Remember, the more space you give your herbs the larger they will grow. If you haven’t got much room and you prefer to keep your herbs a compact size, use smaller pots and crop them often.
Which part of the herb should you pick?
When picking herbs for cooking, use the newest leaves as they will be the freshest and tastiest. Pick leaves early and often to encourage your herbs to keep growing.
Top 10 Things to Do in the Garden During October
When picking herbs for cooking, use the newest leaves as they will be the freshest and tastiest. Pick leaves early and often to encourage your herbs to keep growing.
Top 10 Things to Do in the Garden During October
Tell us
What’s your tip for success with growing herbs? Tell us in the Comments section below. And don’t forget to like, share or bookmark this story. Join the conversation.
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Get more gardening tips
What’s your tip for success with growing herbs? Tell us in the Comments section below. And don’t forget to like, share or bookmark this story. Join the conversation.
More
Get more gardening tips
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Some of the easiest herbs to grow are: