Growing Herbs in Pots, Planters and Other Containers
Sunlight is a given requirement when growing herbs – whether you are growing herbs in pots indoors or in a garden outdoors. In the Northern hemisphere you should place herbs in a south or west facing window to get the best kind of sunlight. For the Southern hemisphere use north or west facing windows.
Herbs are typically plants which have been glorified by their virtues, but they are no different to other plants in growth characteristics and growing herbs in pots means you follow general local rules regarding placement and soil quality. Speak to your nurseryman if you aren’t sure of local soil quality or want the best soil additives – also ask him about hand-held mini sprays to prevent over-watering.
When growing herbs in pots, average soil and good drainage are the norm to grow well; if you have no experience of growing plants in pots, the down and dirty method is light to medium soil mixed with 5 cc (1tsp) lime per 2 liter (4 pints) on a drainage bed of coarse pebbles, gravel or broken crockery. Apicular pruning will help perennial herbs to bush out and you can use this technique to achieve various effects when growing bushy herbs in pots. (Apicular pruning is when you cut the centre stem near the top; this stops upward growth – known as apicular dominance – and causes the growth to be re-channeled into side shoots.)
Even very large herbs such as bay are not precluded from growing in pots. When growing herbs remember that some herbs will do better than others and it may make sense to curb growth by restriction within containers. Some large herbs can effectively be stunted and kept handy by growing them in containers. They do require transplanting but give years of service in the containers. Warning: not transplanting when plants get too “leggy” or woody may kill off the plant.
Mint is one herb that needs containment or it goes rampant and will take over your garden. Where do you think that the original idea for the ‘Day of the Triffids’ came from? (Joke!) Overall an indoor herb garden is relatively easy to maintain and growing herbs in pots keeps your favorite culinary herbs close to hand for easy access while you are cooking.
Pete Steel has grown herbs for 25 years in several different climates and soils. He reviews herb growing books and offers a free herb gardening startup course on herb garden plants and herb usage. Herb lovers subscribing to the weekly blogcast get some very unusual free bonuses.
Learn more about growing herbs in pots here.
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