Growing A Container Herb Garden

Growing a container herb garden has many advantages over regular outdoor gardening. The greatest advantage of an herb container garden is that you have the option of bringing your herbs indoors during wintertime. One of the most important things about container herb gardening is that you must make sure you keep the soil moist (but not too wet) and that you place the containers where they can get the right amount of light for the herbs they contain.

In nature, the soil regulates the amount of moisture and the nutrients provided to herbs but when you grown them in a container you have to make a bit more of an effort to insure your plants get everything they need.  One thing is critical - you must know the light, water and fertilization need of the herbs you plan to grow.

Many herbs are flexible when it comes to the shape and size of container they will grow in - an advantage to anyone with an interest in container gardening. Two examples are basil and rosemary. Both are equally at home in traditional planters or hand-painted teacups. Thyme, dill, sage, lavender, and mint can all be grown in containers as well.

Begin with seeds of good quality because they can spoil just like other natural food products. The airborne spores can attack and there are a wide range of organic compounds that oxygen reacts with. To get them and to keep them fresh is easy, but you need to check the dates on the package. It is also necessary to throw away any wet seeds.

Not only does your container herb garden need the correct soil and moisture balance , but it also need to be placed in an appropriate location. Plants may need full sun or partial sun. For example, Basil thrives in warm soil and dry air and struggles in the cold. A window would be a great place for a Basil plant, but be sure that the windowsill does not get frosty or icy in the winter time.

In the Northern Hemisphere’s most populated areas sunlight comes in at a more southern angle. Sun-loving plants should be placed in areas with southern exposure. Remember, your herb container garden doesn’t have to be all in 1 spot so place your pots accordingly.

Proper preparation and maintenance of the moisture content of the soil is very important for container herb gardening. A mix of both sandy and clay soil is best. Clay chips do a great job of retaining moisture, but in a container, they can absorb and hold water for long periods resulting in their job being done too well.

One thing to remember about container herb gardening is that you must water your plants carefully. Root rot due to excessive moisture is the most common issue found among container plants. Some plants are fine if they remain wet at all times, but herbs are more comfortable if things are kept slightly dryer. Sage much prefers dry soil, while peppermint prefers moisture.

It is important to remember that having the soil moist does not mean it should be soaking wet.  Feel the surface of the soil in each pot in your herb container garden with your thumb. If it feels a bit springy, that’s moist while dry soil will feel hard to the touch. The most accurate way to test the moisture level under the surface is with a moisture gauge, but you can also use a toothpick inserted into the soil. Pull it out again to see if you have dry or moist soil under the top layer.

With a little bit of planning, you will find that growing a container herb garden is quite easy and you will be well rewarded with fresh herbs for your kitchen!