Herb Garden

jeccaerin
jeccaerin Posts: 124
edited December 25 in Food and Nutrition
I am wanting to start an herb garden in order to add fresh flavor to my food and eliminate the yucky over-processed or artificial flavors. The catch is that my gardening history does not encourage the thought that I will have a green thumb. I guess I need to start with something hardy. Also, I live in an apartment. There isn't a window in the kitchen, and I'm pretty sure my dog would attack any plants I placed in the other window sills. I have a small patio area, though. Will they grow in any season? I'm in Mississippi, so we don't have all four seasons...Just a really hot, and a "cold" season with temps in maybe the 50s.

Do you have an herb garden? Could you give me some tips on planting one? For instance, is it better to have a hanging pot, one that goes over the fence, or one on the ground?

Thanks for any input!!

Replies

  • kayemme
    kayemme Posts: 1,782 Member
    you shouldn't have any problem growing the following:

    thyme
    sage
    oregano
    fennel
    basil
    rosemary
    lavender
    mint (always in a pot, even if you move)


    edit: most of these you can grow from seed, but I would suggest the lavender and rosemary to get a cutting. some of them you can grow together.

    cilantro is fun to grow, but you must plant in succession because it bolts with heat. try to keep it shaded.

    once you get the hang of it, you can even grow microgreens & lettuces in pots on your patio.

    edit edit: some of them you can hang, even. and now that i'm thinking of it, you should probably get a thyme cutting or start, too. they're kind of a hassle to start from seed.

    you can also grow nasturtiums (edible leaves & flowers) and they should grow most of the year for you. if it gets in the low 50s as the lowest low, most of these can stay outside year round.

    oh, and i forgot lemon verbena! great to make sorbet!
  • Skinny_Jeans_Soon
    Skinny_Jeans_Soon Posts: 326 Member
    I grow cilantro and dill in Texas. It grows all year except really cold times. I use it in everything and it tastes wonderful. I grow in a garden in my yard but I think pots would work fine.
  • daffodilsoup
    daffodilsoup Posts: 1,972 Member
    I got a huge, HUGE ceramic pot and planted lemon thyme, basil and sage together - they have done so well and gotten big and bushy!

    I also planted mint, but that got its own massive pot - it'll take over other plants!
  • swisspea
    swisspea Posts: 327 Member
    Hi, I have a herb garden. It's my first one, so I'm no expert. I have Rosemary, Basil, Mint, Strawberry Mint, Parsely and my Chives and Lavender, in my backyard and all in pots (our backyard is all paved and quite shadowy and small). Here are my tips:

    Definitely use your patio space for the herbs. All of my herbs come from seedlings I bought at a garden centre, not seeds. Apparently it;s not that hard to grow from seeds, but I didn't know this, and I didn't want to keep replanting them.

    Be sure to give your basil lots of sun and SPACE (ie. a bigger pot) it grows quickly under most conditions, but needs nutrients to get big and beautiful
    Never plant mint with anything else
    Parsley grows really easily under most conditions- just watch for bugs
    Rosemary requires a lot of water and constant pruning
    My chives and lavender are basically dead- so I obviously have no good advice

    Also, you can put the white tips of green onions in a small glass of water, and within a few days you will have fresh green onions! You can keep using the white tips over and over again! It doesn't necessarily need that much sun.

    Your winter will probably be OK. It's best to bring them inside if you can, but 50 degrees won't kill them, so they should come back up next year.
  • kellybean14
    kellybean14 Posts: 237 Member
    Herbs are relatively easy to grow inside. Rosemary and thyme are really hardy plants, and mint is notorious for taking over an entire garden with its extensive root system. If you can put the potted herbs by a window they should get enough sunlight.

    I've also had success growing basil inside.

    Good luck! Gardening is one of the most rewarding things! :flowerforyou:
  • goodfido
    goodfido Posts: 127 Member
    If you're not able to get the garden going I would suggest spices from a spice store. There is a huge difference in flavor from the ones in the grocery store. If you don't have one in your area, Penzey's Spices is online and I use them ALL THE TIME. The prices are not that much more than what's in the grocery store and their flavor is so much better.
  • jeccaerin
    jeccaerin Posts: 124
    These are amazing ideas! Thank you so much. I'm so excited to get started that I want to go to the store immediately after work! It doesn't sound too difficult, but it does look like I just have to get to know my plants. Hopefully I won't kill them in the "meet and greet" stage. :)

    Thanks again! You guys are awesome!
  • LisaLouisiana
    LisaLouisiana Posts: 145 Member
    We use homegrown herbs to greatly improve the taste of many homecooked meals. We love them!
This discussion has been closed.

Categories