Thursday, April 14, 2011

Container Herb Garden

A herb garden that is grown in a container has many features as it allows you to transport your herbs outside during the summer and bring them back inside when the weather turns cold.  A container garden is also a good choice for a person who has limited space. If you have a small yard or if you live in an apartment that has a sunny balcony a container garden is all you need.



You can grow herbs in any type of container as herbs are not picky and will grow well in clay pots, window boxes, wheelbarrows, terracotta, or even vintage tin container.  Search for unique containers at garage sales, estate sales, and flea markets. The possibilities are endless when it comes to planting herb container gardens.

A few years ago I had a client that collected vintage bathtubs, baby beds, mailboxes, and bicycles.  She had them lying in her gardens as features.  I convinced her to allow me to use them as containers and to grow herbs in them.  I moved the bathtub close to her pond and planted lavender in it.  The vintage iron baby bed held an assortment of herbs; sweet basil, sage, lemon balm, and thyme, with creeping rosemary growing off the sides.  I moved the iron bed close to the patio area and set up a solar spotlight to highlight the herb arrangement at night.  My client was thrilled with the herb container gardens.  

When it comes to growing herbs in containers I would suggest that you use what you have anything that will hold soil and allows the herb comfortable growing space will work, provided that you have water drainage holes at the bottom of the container.
image by freerangestock.com

When you are ready to plant your herb container garden choose a combination of herbs that suit your needs. If you like to cook you may want to grow culinary herbs if you like to make soaps, potpourri, or natural mosquito repellents you would want to grow fragrant herbs and if you like to heal your body naturally you would grow medicinal herbs.  You can grow herbs easily from seeds or from a nursery-grown plant. 

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2 comments:

Unknown said...

I've had herb container gardens for as long as I can remember. I never bring them in though - the herbs seem to do fine wintering outside in Maryland (except rosemary - I just MAY get 2 years out of it). So, right now, my herbs are popping up on their own.

An herb container garden is also a wonderful house warming present.

Great article, Susan.

S Golis said...

Gertie and Lori: Thank you for visiting my blog and commenting. Like you I love growing herbs and you are right many of the herbs will be just fine in the winter. I bring my containers inside because I enjoy cooking with fresh herbs during the winter months. :) I agree a herb container makes a wonderful house warming gift.