Growing Herbs In Containers . Ground-hugging, hummocky herbs such as thyme and red-veined sorrel cope well in exposed spots, while hardy natives such as salad burnet thrive even in the chilliest parts of the UK. After a few years, the rosemary and sage will outgrow the pot – simply plant them out in the garden. Replant the largest chunk into the pot; this keeps them strong and compact. Trim the thyme after it’s finished flowering. Growing Herbs in Containers Some of the herbs recommended for container gardening are: Variegated sage, purple sage, golden sage, parsley, Greek oregano, rosemary, marjoram, bush basil, thyme, chives, and summer savory. You may be short on space, have poor soil conditions, want to prolong the growing season, keep the herbs close at hand for use in the kitchen, keep invasive herbs at bay, or maybe you are an apartment dweller with a taste for fresh herbs but no yard to grow them. Most herbs make excellent container garden plants and will thrive on your deck, patio, balcony, front steps, or window box.To help you narrow down the ones you want to grow, think about which herbs you most enjoy using in your favorite recipes, tea and other drinks, or even DIY projects. Many herbs will thrive in containers provided they are given a little bit of regular maintenance. Apply water until it starts to drip from the drainage holes. Grow your own herbs at home and you can have fistfuls of fragrant flavour for your cooking every day if you want. Be on the lookout for runners. For example, rosemary likes it hot and dry, while parsley needs steady moisture. Some good choices of herbs for this would be: If you’re planting rosemary, always reserve it for the top portion of the strawberry planter, as this herb can become rather large and bushy. Fresh herbs add depth and flavour to cooked dishes and salads, but those little packets of cut leaves are expensive to buy. Pots overflowing with plants are not only beautiful, but handy if you need or want fresh herbs for cooking. Plus, growing your own is an economical alternative to those pricey little packets at the market – and your pots of green gold have a garden-fresh flavor that can’t be beat! Other than regular watering, feeding, sunlight exposure, pest & disease control, herbs do not require very specialized care. For much the same money you can buy a whole plant or some seeds instead. You can pick richly aromatic, evergreen thyme all year round and chop it finely to sprinkle into casseroles, pasta sauce and soups. We’ve put together three herb container combinations so you can fill any corner with fabulous flavour. Basil is often used with recipes calling for … Where direct sunshine is limited, choose soft, leafy herbs such as chocolate peppermint, parsley and lemon balm, that can be scorched by harsh light. These containers include oregano, parsley, chives and basil surrounding tomato plants. Two new shoots will grow from each stem, creating a fuller plant. When growing herbs in containers there are three important things to keep in mind. Scattering a few aromatic rosemary shoots among roasting vegetables lifts them from good to sublime. Creeping or trailing herbs belong in the front of the pots so that the foliage spreads down the containers. Parsley is biennial so you’ll need to grow fresh plants every year. You can sow parsley straight into the pot in spring, but be patient as seedlings can be slow to appear. Growing Herbs in Containers. Try mint, oregano, rosemary, thyme and sage. Sorrel tastes lemony, while salad burnet has a fresh, cucumber-like flavour. Grow your own supply of culinary herbs in containers, whatever your conditions. Sorrel and salad burnet are pickable in all but the very coldest months. Growing most herbs from seeds can be difficult and frustrating at times, so save yourself time. Depending on how much space you have available and whether you are planning to keep your herbs indoors or out will play a huge part in choosing your containers. It likes to have plenty of water to keep its fleshy stems and tender leaves plump but is susceptible to mildew. You can grow almost any herb in a container, and most are very easy. TIP: Plant herbs with similar watering, sunlight and soil requirements together. When to plant herbs in a container. Growing herbs in containers of course takes a little bit of effort but you are rewarded with delicious tasty and healthy greens. Growing herbs in containers is very useful to the cook that wants to have herbs close at hand or to the urban gardener with space limitations. Take cuttings to grow new young plants in pots. Growing Thyme Herb In Containers. Chocolate peppermint leaves taste like mint chocolate – chop them and sprinkle into homemade ice cream or hot chocolate. There are many reasons for growing herbs in containers. Alternatively, buy plants of all three herbs. Using the Compact Growing Space This mix of herbs adds subtle textural beauty to a patio planter. Mint loves sun and water! From the team at Gardeners' World Magazine. Enjoy towering lilies with gigantic, scented blooms. These 10 tips for growing herbs in containers will ensure that your herbs grow big and healthy, and that you enjoy them in no time! Herbs can be grown separately, in individual pots, or you can plant several different varieties in one large container such as a window box planter, being careful not to overcrowd the pot so that each plant has enough space to grow and reach its full potential. Water just once or twice a week (more often in very dry spells). They’re unfussy and easy to grow. Next spring, trim back spent stems, then dig up both mint and lemon balm and split into two or three pieces. Therefore, they don't work well toget… Select the youngest leaves for salads or cook sorrel into a delicious soup. 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