Home » Misc » Herb garden in planters

Herb garden in planters


The 7 best herbs for container gardening

There are many benefits to growing herbs in containers. For me, it’s all about access. I love having fresh herbs growing in pots just outside my kitchen door. That way, when I’m in the middle of making dinner and realize I forgot to harvest a handful of basil or parsley, it’s only a few steps away. As well, different herbs have different moisture needs and growing them in pots is an easy way to control soil moisture. Of course, growing herbs in containers will also keep aggressive spreaders, like mint and lemon balm, under control and away from garden beds. Here are seven of the best herbs for container gardening.

The 7 Best Herbs for Container Gardening:

Growing herbs in containers is a great way for beginners to learn how to grow some of their favorite kitchen herbs. If you’ve been dreaming of having your own herb garden on your patio or balcony, get ready to learn how to make that dream a reality! It’s true that many herbs like dill, chives, and cilantro can be grown in pots, but the 7 herbs below make fantastic low-care potted plants. You can buy kits for container herb gardening but I suggest selecting a pot or windowbox and buying healthy herb seedlings from your local garden centre.

1) Basil:

Basil is my go to herb in summer and my gardens are full of different varieties like Genovese, Nufar, Dolce Fresca, or Spicy Globe, but I also love growing basil on my sunny back deck. Basil is a warm weather annual herb and thrives when grown in pots and window-boxes. Many gardeners struggle to grow great basil, but give it well-drained soil and plenty of sunshine and it’s usually smooth sailing. Like most herbs, basil responds well to frequent harvesting, and will continue to push out fresh growth when trimmed back. There’s no doubt it’s one of the best herbs for container gardening. Also be sure to pinch off any flower buds that appear. Once basil begins to flower, the leaf flavor declines. For more advice on growing basil, check out this article.

Many herbs, like basil and thyme, make easy-to-grow container plants.

2) Greek Oregano:

Oregano is an enthusiastic grower in the garden and putting it in a pot is an easy and beautiful way to control its growth. The small leaves are packed with flavor, perfect for topping homemade pizza and bruschetta, as well as adding to vinaigrettes and marinades. Greek oregano offers the best flavor for culinary use, but my family also loves Syrian Oregano, a tender perennial, (zone 7) often called Zaatar, which has pretty silvery leaves.

3) Rosemary:

Rosemary is a woody shrub with aromatic, needle-like foliage that adds a welcome depth of flavor to roasted potatoes and chicken dishes. In my zone 5 garden, rosemary is an annual, but growing it in pots makes it easy to bring indoors to a sunny windowsill once the days start to cool down in mid-autumn. There are many cultivars of rosemary, with most growing upright, but a few do cascade down, making them perfect for the edges of pots and planters. I really like Gorizia, an upright cultivar with large leaves and Arp, which is a slightly more cold tolerant variety. The quickest way to kill container-grown rosemary is by watering it too much; it needs consistent moisture, not wet feet.

Herbs can be grown in a variety of containers, from plastic or clay pots to fun items like old wheelbarrows. Just make sure your containers have adequate drainage.

4) Thyme:

Thyme is one of the best herbs for container gardening; it’s low maintenance, drought-tolerant, and can take a bit of neglect. Plus, it looks fantastic when planted at the front of a container where the tiny leaves can mound over the edge of the pot. Give it full sun and don’t overwater; it’s drought-resistant and prefers its soil on the dry side. For culinary use, try English thyme or Lemon thyme, which has variegated yellow and green leaves and a bold lemon scent and flavor.

5) Mint:

If you’re looking for perennial herbs in pots, consider mint. I was first introduced to mint when I planted a few sprigs in my mothers perennial garden. It quickly took over and we’re still pulling it out – twenty years later! Sorry mom. Now, I grow mint in pots, where its aggressive growth can be contained. There are so many awesome types of mint; peppermint, chocolate mint, mojito mint, strawberry mint, and spearmint, for example, and I like to plant several different varieties of mint in a big pot. We add the leaves to summer drinks, fruit salad, and also dry plenty for winter tea. Mint appreciates ample moisture and rich soil. I use a two-thirds potting mix to one-third compost mixture in my mint containers.

Mint can be invasive in garden beds, but is easy-to-grow in pots, making it one of the best herbs for container gardening.

6) Parsley

Basil may be my number one culinary herb, but parsley is a close second. I grow the two main types; curly and flat-leaved parsley, in both garden beds and containers, both of which are definitely on the list of the best herbs for container gardening. In fact, the unique leaf texture of curly parsley makes it a nice planting partner for ornamental plants like million bells, geraniums, petunias, and other summer bloomers. Parsley is very easy to grow and should be started from seeds sown indoors under a grow light. You can also buy seedlings from a local garden centre. It grows best with regular moisture and feeding. I incorporate a slow-release organic fertilizer at planting time to keep the plants happy from spring through late autumn. Parsley also appreciates full sun, but can take some light shading.

7) Lemon Balm

A mint cousin, lemon balm also shares the aggressive growth habit of mint, which can quickly take over small garden spaces. Because of this, I plant lemon balm in containers. It’s a hardy perennial in zone 5, even overwintering in pots. Give it the same soil mixture (potting soil-compost) as mint, and water often. It needs ample moisture for the best flavor. And what flavor!  The glossy green leaves both smell and taste like lemons. It’s great in fruit salads, tea, lemonade, and marinades.

6 Tips for Growing Herbs in Containers:

1) Pick the right containers.  Whether you’re growing vegetables, flowers, or herbs in pots, you’ll find the greatest success when you use containers with adequate drainage. Most pots come with drainage holes, but they can easily be added to wooden or plastic pots. I also love Smart Pots, fabric planters that come in a wide range of sizes. Small pots can hold individual herb plants, while the larger sizes are perfect for an instant herb garden on decks and patios.

2) Fill pots with a good quality potting mix. It may be tempting to fill your containers with garden soil, but garden soil quickly compacts in pots, reducing soil drainage and porosity. Herbs need good drainage. Fill your pots with potting soil or a combination of potting soil and aged compost. Worm castings are also an easy way to boost soil nutrients and moisture retention and you only need to add a handful to containers as a little goes a long way.

3) Look for the light. Make sure your container herb garden receives enough light by placing the pots in a space that receives at least 6 to 8 hours of sun each day.

4) Harvest regularly. Frequent harvesting with pruners or herb snips encourages fresh growth, so don’t be shy about pinching and clipping your homegrown herbs.

5) Water consistently. If you’re new to herb gardening do a little research. Certain herbs prefer very well-drained soil (thyme, oregano, rosemary), while others like more moisture (mint, coriander, lemon balm)

6) Feed occasionally. To promote healthy growth, feed your herbs with a fertilizer suitable for edibles. A liquid organic fertilizer can be used every 3 to 4 weeks while a slow release organic product can be added to the potting mix at planting time.

More posts on growing great vegetables and herbs in containers:

What herbs do you like to grow in containers?

Easy Tips for Growing Herbs in Containers

Herb container gardens are popular for many reasons.  Even if you have miles of property and gardens galore, it's convenient to be able to step just out your door and pick a handful of fresh herbs from a beautiful container garden. Plant maintenance is also more convenient with containers, and there are fewer problems with weeds and critters getting into your crops.

You can grow almost any herb in a container. However, if you're mixing herbs in the same pot, you have to be sure you're using plants with similar growing requirements. For example, some herb plants need more water than others, and some are finicky about how much light they get. But as long as you get the conditions right, you should have thriving plants and fresh herbs at your fingertips.

Planning Your Herb Container

You can grow as many types of herbs in one container as you want if they share the same sun, water, and soil preferences. For example, rosemary likes hot and dry conditions while parsley needs steady moisture. Therefore, they would not work well together in the same pot.

Also, don’t forget that herbs can serve as decorative elements in a container garden, adding texture and scent when mixed with annuals or perennials. Again, just be sure to pair them with plants that have similar needs, and make sure they won't choke out any other plants in the same container, as some herbs have vigorous growth habits.

The Spruce / Kara Riley

Choosing a Container for Herbs

You can use almost anything for an herb container, as long as it has good drainage. Most herbs don’t have large root systems, so you can get away with relatively small containers. This is especially true of the herbs that don’t mind drying out between waterings. However, the smaller the container, the less soil there is. This means you have a smaller margin of error with too much or too little water.

Some herbs thrive in self-watering containers because they like a constant level of moisture. Plants, such as chives, parsley, marjoram, and mint, are particularly good candidates for growing in self-watering pots. Other herbs, including oregano, thyme, rosemary, and basil, prefer to dry out between watering, so they wouldn’t be good candidates for self-watering containers.

The Spruce / Kara Riley

Planting and Caring for Herbs

Help your container herbs thrive with the right soil, sun exposure, and fertilizer. Use a high-quality potting mix that allows for good drainage. This soil, paired with the drainage holes in your container, will help prevent accidentally drowning your herbs.

Moreover, most herbs need full sun for at least six to eight hours a day. That said, containers can really bake on a hot day. So if you live in a climate where temperatures soar, your container herbs might need to be shaded during the hottest part of the day.

Be careful not to overfertilize your herbs. Most herbs don't need much fertilizer, and some plants will simply die if they are overfed. Plus, certain herbs, such as thyme and oregano, thrive on neglect and often aren't as tasty if they are given too much food or water.

The Spruce / Kara Riley

Harvesting Your Herbs

The rule of thumb for harvesting herbs is to snip and pinch back often. Consistent harvesting will encourage the plants to branch and fill out which, in turn, will increase your overall harvest. Always tailor your harvesting to the plant's growth pattern and avoid cutting more than one third of the plant during the growing season. For example, basil leaves should be harvested regularly, and the flower buds should be removed, but basil plants should not be cut back all the way.

The flowers and seeds of some herbs, such as chives and dill, are edible. The leaves of others including oregano and basil will lose flavor and become bitter if allowed to flower. Remember that once a plant flowers and goes to seed, the seasonal growth cycle for that plant will be complete and the plant will no longer put out new growth.

At the end of the growing season, you can bring many of your herb containers inside if you get lots of indoor sunlight. Some herb plants are easier than others to keep alive indoors during the winter, though it's worth a shot for all your container herbs.

Finally, if you've grown more herbs than you can harvest for yourself, consider giving them as gifts. You can do themed herb container gardens, such as a "pizza" garden or an herbes de Provence container garden. Combine herbs and other edible plants in a pretty basket, or just pick a handful of herbs to put in a nice vase for an herbal bouquet. Many herbs like oregano, sage, rosemary and dill also dry well and can be kept in tightly lidded containers out of direct sunlight for use in cooking all year long.

The Spruce / Kara Riley

Potted vegetable garden: how to create, what to plant, pros and cons

One of the most accessible, successful and productive ways for a city dweller to enjoy fresh vegetables and fragrant herbs during a festive feast is to grow it on your own on your windowsill. Experienced gardeners take this process very seriously, prepare the necessary containers in advance in the form of spacious containers or boxes, arrange a place on the balconies or verandas of their dwellings, insulate the rooms as much as possible and install additional lighting.

But an ordinary city dweller, who doesn't even have a dacha, and his vegetable growing skills leave much to be desired, uses ordinary flower pots to realize his idea in order to get not only greens, but also vegetable crops. They are simply installed on the windowsill, sometimes without even considering the presence of heat and sunlight. That's it for beginner gardeners or just lovers of fresh vegetables grown with their own hands at home, we will describe the main features and tips for growing a "garden" in pots.

Universal rules for growing vegetables at home

Watching lush orchards and fruitful gardens, even an inexperienced person understands that not every vegetable, and especially fruit or berries, are suitable for growing at home. Each crop needs its own conditions, but general or classic rules that are directly suitable for all vegetable crops also exist.

  1. Planted seedlings, seeds or seedlings, both vegetables and berries, love space.
  2. The slightest "struggle" for moisture or nutrition will only bring harm.
  3. Lack of light and shadow from a nearby pot reduces the chance of a good harvest, or to achieve fruiting at all.
  4. Plants or some varieties of vegetable crops with a branched and powerful root system are absolutely not suitable for growing in a flower pot, so you should not even experiment, as a fiasco is almost guaranteed.

Key features of planting vegetables in pots

In flower pots, vegetables can be planted with ready-made seedlings purchased from specialty stores, or you can start the growing process by sowing seeds. But first you should prepare well and pay attention to important points.

  1. Good capacity is the key to success. If the pot has just been purchased, then it does not require special preparation, because there are no soil residues from the previous planting on the walls, which means that there are no spores of various diseases, and nothing threatens the future seedling. If the pot has already been used once, then it is thoroughly washed, it will not be superfluous to rinse with boiling water and treat it with a solution of potassium manganese. The final stage will be high-quality drying, because only soil is poured into a clean, disinfected pot. The size of the flower pot also plays a huge role. You should not choose small pots for vegetables, even one seedling of a cucumber or zucchini will not bear fruit, growing in a small container. Choose pots of medium size, up to 40 centimeters in diameter, and the height should start from 20 cm. It is this pot that will be the ideal place for growing both tomatoes and cucumbers with zucchini. And small pots can be used to grow dill, parsley or celery.
  2. The drainage system is an essential part of the tanks. A prerequisite for quality growth is the presence of good drainage. Expanded clay gravel or river pebbles are poured at the bottom of the flower pot. Drainage will help the roots breathe and remove excess moisture.
  3. Recommendations for soil composition. It would seem that any soil similar to fertile black soil is suitable for growing vegetables or berries. But it is not so. What seems good and of high quality to a person may be completely unsuitable for a plant. To obtain the desired result, it is still better to use a purchased soil mixture for indoor flowers, prepared and cultivated by specialists. Such soil in its composition has a set of nutrients necessary for plants, is fertilized and disinfected. If you have your own personal plot, and you regularly fertilize it with organic matter, then feel free to collect land from the dacha in advance, then the quality of growth and development of plants will be no worse than in a real garden.
  4. Do I need additional lighting? Winter days are short and even on the windowsill of the southern window, many plants have little light and heat. Additional illumination can be provided by installing fluorescent or phyto lamps at a short distance from the pot, which will not only increase the length of daylight hours, but also warm the young plant a little.

Selection of planting material

As already mentioned, there are two types of planting material - seeds and finished seedlings. What points should be considered when choosing each of the directions, let's figure it out.

General recommendations for the care of vegetable crops in pots

Vegetable or berry plants planted in flower pots require the same care as their counterparts grown in greenhouses or outdoors during the high season.

To peck the seeds, cover the pots with plastic wrap, additionally warm and regularly moisten the soil with a spray bottle. After the appearance of the first leaves, the film is removed, if necessary, the resulting seedlings dive into separate pots.

Only settled warm water is used for irrigation. Top dressing is carried out with liquid fertilizer at least once a week during watering after the appearance of the first four leaves. Biohumus, bought in a store, will replace any organic matter.

Flower pots with vegetable plants are always at hand, so growing stems and leaves should be regularly inspected for signs of disease or insect pests. If unwanted "guests" are found, spray and remove the affected foliage in a timely manner.

Vegetables suitable for growing in a pot

Almost all vegetables that are grown in the garden can be grown in a flower pot, only each crop has its own characteristics.

Cultivation of cucumbers in a pot

Especially desirable, incredibly tasty and fragrant in the winter cold, one can distinguish a crispy, slightly sweet cucumber. When there are severe frosts and snowdrifts outside the window, the greenery hanging on the trellis simply beckons. But it should be remembered that cucumbers are very picky and grow a bush, it is not always possible to harvest even an experienced gardener. Therefore, you should take the advice of experienced experts.

  1. Choose seeds of self-pollinating cucumber hybrids, early maturing varieties, characterized by their shade tolerance and disease resistance. "Marinda", "Onega", "Legend", "Masha", a far from complete list of names of cucumber products marked with the letter F, are suitable for growing in a flower pot on a windowsill.
  2. Mandatory highlighting will ensure the harvest. No light, no fruit.
  3. The thermal regime at a temperature of 24 degrees Celsius must be maintained at any time of the day.
  4. Regular moistening with warm settled water.

Growing a tomato in a pot

A vegetable salad without a tomato is not a salad. Ripe and juicy fruits can be grown in a flower pot if you follow our advice.

  1. For planting in a pot, self-pollinating varieties F1, stunted and small-fruited, are suitable. The green branches of the Cherry tomato are very beautiful, strewn with small bright fruits. "Balcony Miracle", "Room Surprise", "Yellow and Red Pearls", "Lisa", "Bonsai", "Pinocchio" - all of them are suitable for winter cultivation. A conscientious producer of tomato seeds will definitely make a mark on the package like “Harvest on the windowsill” or “Pot growing vegetables”. With such a mark, you can safely purchase the proposed product and not doubt the possibility of obtaining fruits.
  2. The creation of additional lighting with special phyto lamps is necessary for both a growing plant and a fruiting plant.
  3. Regular airing of the room, a slight draft will not harm the tomato bush.
  4. Prevent dampness and stagnation of air in the house - this will lead to the appearance of diseases.
  5. Moisten the soil infrequently, but plentifully.
  6. Control the lighting by turning towards the light, then the green mass on the bush will grow evenly from all sides.

Paprika sweet pepper

Vegetable salad of fresh tomatoes and cucumbers will decorate and spice up the sweet bell pepper paprika. What should be considered and what should be taken care of for growing sweet peppers in a pot?

  1. For planting in a pot, early maturing self-pollinating F1 varieties of yellow-fruited "Patio-Ivo", thick-walled red "California miracle", purple variety "Oda" are suitable for planting, which are characterized by low growth, but high yield.
  2. Supplementary lighting is a must for the southern plant
  3. No to drafts and yes to high indoor temperatures are the main principles of pepper cultivation.
  4. Mandatory regular inspection and protection against the common spider mite.

Green onions - spicy greens on the windowsill

What kind of vegetable salad can be prepared without green onions. This plant is completely unpretentious, grows in any room and at any temperature, in a flower pot and in a glass of water. But, if the room is warm, light and the soil is sufficiently moist, then the harvest of green onions will be excellent and as fast as possible.

Growing greens on the windowsill

In addition to onions, you can safely grow all the greens - dill, parsley, lettuce, celery, spinach. The principle of sowing is identical to open ground. You should create a small greenhouse made of glass or a lid, which is recommended to cover the flower pots until full shoots appear. A warm place and good lighting are essential for successful growing. It is not necessary to feed the greens, but if there is something, then there will be no harm from this.

What else to grow on the windowsill Read here

Pros of cultivation of vegetable crops in pots

Certainly, no matter what you decide to grow on a window in the flower pots, this The idea has a number of pluses and minuses.

  1. You have natural and fresh vegetables and herbs all year round.
  2. There is confidence that vegetables do not have any nitrates and are safe not only for adults, but also for children.
  3. In the cold season, not only fresh vegetables, but also onions, dill and parsley are expensive, so we can safely say about significant savings.

Disadvantages of growing vegetable crops in pots

Despite the fact that the advantages are impressive, it is impossible to engage in the cultivation process without obvious nuances and disadvantages.

  1. The amount of a full-fledged crop is scarce, since it is impossible to plant at home so that it does not interfere with ordinary life, a large number of seedlings. A lot of effort is put in, but the result is modest.
  2. The process of supplementary lighting is laborious, since you have to spend money not only on special lamps, but also on paying electricity bills.
  3. Not always the beautiful greenery of a vegetable crop is crowned with fruiting, so such failures completely give up.
  4. There will definitely be more garbage in the apartment, because you should constantly think through all the moments - defend the water, replant and dive young seedlings. It should also be borne in mind that a pleasant aroma does not always appear in the room, for example, from growing onions in water, since the root system and water begin to mold during a long growing season and emit not very pleasant aromas.

Despite all the nuances and peculiarities, growing your own "garden" in flower pots is a great alternative that will definitely become a good bonus for any city dweller.

Join our Facebook group

11 mini garden ideas for fresh vegetables and herbs

Vegetable crops can decorate your garden just as well as ornamental plants. Especially if you grow them not on ordinary rectangular beds, but, for example, on multi-storey ones. Catch a few ideas for inspiration, and at the same time save space in the garden.

These methods work well not only in a small garden, they are also suitable for a terrace and even a balcony. The main thing is a great desire to break your own mini-beds. But what form they can be, we will tell you.

If you don't have much space, you can grow vegetables in ordinary pots and make original compositions from them. The key to success is to choose plants for the garden that have the same needs for soil composition, watering regimen and care in general. These cultures should be approximately the same height so as not to drown out each other.

Idea 1. Vertical garden

Save space with simple vertical mini-beds, arranged in thick bamboo stalks. It is more convenient to take care of the plants planted in them than on an ordinary ridge, if only because you do not need to bend low. Different varieties of lettuce with burgundy and green leaves, sown alternately, will emphasize the unusual arrangement of the beds.

Didn't find bamboo stalks? No problem. Polypropylene pipes from construction will be an excellent replacement for them.

Idea 2. Potted vegetable garden

Ordinary flower pots are suitable for a small space like a parapet. To create the best conditions for the growth of plants, each must be planted in a separate container. A small amount of space is quite content with climbing crops such as cucumbers, peas, beans, dwarf varieties of tomatoes.

Idea 3. High beds

A tall garden visually enlarges a small space. Raised beds can be replaced with natural materials such as straw mats instead of stone or concrete. In the role of pots here are bags made of jute fiber. Only, unfortunately, due to their low strength, such a mini-garden will last only one or two seasons.

Idea 4. Vegetable garden in boxes

Those who are going to grow vegetables not only for decorative purposes, can pay attention to voluminous metal boxes with high legs. Such containers are ideal for growing tomatoes or peppers that love the bright sun.

Idea 5. Container beds

A tie or secure support, such as stakes, will be needed for vines planted in tin containers. Such beds need to be equipped in early spring, as soon as it gets warmer; then plant young seedlings in them, and in the summer, when it grows, you will get real vegetable "jungles"!

Idea 6. Vegetables on the shelves

Small racks with wide shelves, if necessary, will become convenient stands for pots with single plants - tomatoes, cucumbers, peppers.

Idea 7. "Multi-storey" garden

A garden-"pyramid" in several tiers can be easily made with your own hands. It is enough to knock down three square wooden frames, differing in area. Before filling the soil inside the circuit, lay a layer of dense polyethylene underneath so that water does not leak and does not wash out the soil.

Idea 8. Diversity of cultures

For personal needs, it is not necessary to plant too many vegetables of the same type. It is better to grow or buy several bunches of different seedlings. And then, no matter what dishes you plan to cook, fresh vegetables and herbs will always be at hand.

Idea 9. Useful neighborhood

The proximity of vegetables to flowers (marigold, nasturtium or marigold) not only pleases the eye with bright colors. Planted nearby, these flower crops protect vegetables from attack by harmful insects.

Idea 10. Vegetables in "vases"

In high ceramic pots, vegetables will look organic and spectacular all season, from spring to autumn. Vegetables can be planted in vase-like containers instead of seasonal flowers.

Learn more