[Bramble]

What would be the best herbs to grow in containers? I'd love to start my own small garden with no more than 5 or 6 herbs. I'd also like to know what you think would make a well rounded herb garden.

Thanks for the replies!

Bramble

[PeteMcCracken]

Originally Posted by Bramble

What would be the best herbs to grow in containers? I'd love to start my own small garden with no more than 5 or 6 herbs. I'd also like to know what you think would make a well rounded herb garden.

Thanks for the replies!

Bramble

The ones you use?

[Bramble]

Thanks for the reply Pete, my question might not of been very clear though. What I'm asking is what herbs would be most suited for growing in containers long term. And in your opinion, what herbs make a well rounded garden

[KYHeirloomer]

Bramble, virtually all culinary herbs lend themselves to container gardening. How well they grow depends on size of container, care, and amount of light.

Keep in mind that many of the herbs we use are perennials that may or may not be hardy where you live. For those you will have to bring the containers indoors over the winter. And that means either setting up a light stand for them, or learning how to care for dormant plants.

Virtually no annuals, such as basil, are hardy. Which again means either growing them indoors or replanting each year.

"Well rounded," when talking about culinary herbs, is pretty much a meaningless term. What you want to grow are the herbs you most use. For most home cooks that would include basil, parsley, thyme, rosemary, dill, mint, and, perhaps, tarragon and sage. If you use others much, then it pays to grow them. Oregano and marjoram are often grown at home, for instance, as are both summer and winter savory.

[eeediot]

KYH,

A couple of questions: what does hardy mean? Which herbs do u think need the least amount of sunlight and by extension (I'm guessing) would be alright to grow indoors under a lamp? Thanks.

[KYHeirloomer]

"Hardy" refers to a plant's ability to over-winter, in the ground, with no protection.

The United States is divided into agricultural hardiness zones, and many plants are identified by their hardiness. For instance, if you look at a catalog it might have a comment that the plant is "hardy in zones 7-5. That would tell you that if you live in those zones the plant will go dormant over winter but regrow in the spring. In zone 4 you could probably get away with leaving it be if you mulched it heavily or otherwise protected it.

I don't know a single herb that cannot be grown successfully under lights. All you need is regular flourescent bulbs. The trick is to keep them only a couple of inches above the plant tops.

Easiest way of doing this, if you don't have a commercial light stand, is to hang shop lights on chains. Then, as necessary, you adjust the height of the lamps by moving them up the chain.

Alternatively, get a cheapie bookcase (the kind with the adjustible shelf brackets). Mount the light at the inside top, and then move the shelf up or down as necessary.

This past winter I grew these herbs under lights: Lavender, rosemary, oregano, parsley, chives and tarragon.

BTW, if you're in to micro-greens you can grow them the same way. What I do is set up a flat and start a row or two every couple of weeks, harvesting them in succession as they reach the size I want.

[Bramble]

Thank you for the replies KYH!

You just gave me wonderful ideas for starting my garden.

*hugs*

Bramble

[eeediot]

Yeah Thanks KYH - real helpful stuff. Appreciate it.