QUESTION
I don't have room for a herb garden. Can I grow herbs in pots?
ANSWER
If I only had one container or window box I would just fill it with herbs!
They really are perfect for growing this way. They are attractive, smell good, are a joy to cook with and the bees just love them as well, which is so important these days.
Choose your window box or pot - terracotta seems to go well with herbs, but anything will do. Make sure you have drainage holes and place some stones or broken pots in the base of the container before filling with compost.
There are so many herbs to choose from and garden centres have most of them.
Chives are a must, lovely little purple flowers and easy to snip away at them as you need them - perfect for that egg sandwich!
Parsley is always useful and grows easily from plants although it can be tricky from seed.
Rosemary, another scented plant to add interest - great with roast lamb and adding to sauces.
Oregano & Thyme are probably the other two most useful herbs.
All these plants look great planted in one pot or window box together, their different shaped leaves and colours contrasting and complimenting each other.
Mint is also a very useful herb and there are dozens of types nowadays but it is best planted in a pot on its own as it tends to take over and smother the others.
To ensure best results your pots of herbs do of course need watered and fed during the summer months. Use an organic feed, once a week should be enough. Herbs prefer sun but a bit of shade will not harm them. Most of these herbs will over-winter quite well although your containers will need a bit of tender loving care next spring. Herbs like Basil are annuals and only live for one year so you will need to replace them.
Another benefit of having herbs in pots is that you can place it beside your BBQ next time you use it and snip away as you need them. Everyone will love experimenting by adding herbs to their meat while cooking and the scent will be appreciated too!
