subject: Using Containers To Grow Herbs [print this page] We are big fans of using containers to grow herbs. They are very attractive, are inexpensive, and give you several herbs for your cooking that is very nearby and convenient. Even if you have plenty of property, it is really great to be able to just step out onto your deck and to pick some herbs to throw in the salad. Also, it is usually dark when you are cooking so it is nice to not have to go out in the garden at this time. It's much easier to just step out onto the porch and snip a few herbs to cook with.
You can have almost any container to grow your herbs. You can use pots, or we often like to use small trash cans such as the ones you would use in a bathroom. Remember that different herbs can require different care so you should put similar herbs in the same pot.
Most herbs that you want are going to need a lot of sun, at least 5-6 hours each day. Remember though that your herbs can get baked when it is really hot. If you live in an area with high summer temps, you might want to put your herbs in the shade during the afternoon. It also is key to use very good potting soil for your herbs, because the herbs have to drain well. Also make sure that you are putting holes in the bottom of your planters so that your plants do not drown. You can use some fertilizer on your herbs but it is easy to go too far. Some herbs will die if you give them too much fertilizer. There are some herbs, such as thyme and oregano, that actually like to be ignored and will grow better if you just let them grow on their own without fuss.
When you grow your herbs, you do not have to select containers that are very deep. The root systems on these plants are pretty shallow so the containers don't have to be very big. This is really true for herbs that do not want a lot of water. However, the smaller your container the more likely that it will dry out. So you have to apply more water when it is hot.
You can choose pots that will water themselves, which are a good choice for plants that like to be wet all the time. These include parsley, chives and mint. But if you are growing basil or dill, they like to dry out more after you water them so they are not a good choice for these pots.
You can plant a lot of different herbs in one pot; we don't have a lot of problems with crowding herbs together. But you should remember to try to plant similar herbs together. You don't want an herb that likes it dry with one that likes it wet. Herbs will do particularly well if you cut them back often and use them for cooking. It is really great to have fresh herbs all the time for cooking.
