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Herb garden: planting ideas and advice on how to grow herbs
From how to grow herbs to companion planting and even indoor herb garden ideas, this is how to make the most of these aromatic plants
herb garden herbs growing in pots
(Image credit: Leigh Clapp)
BY LEIGH CLAPP
PUBLISHED JULY 02, 2020
A herb garden can be practical and decorative, with the aromatic plants enjoyed for their use in cooking, their fragrance, or blooms. Easy to grow, herbs are a wonderful addition to your garden, while you can just as easily create an indoor herb garden too, because there are so many ways (and places) to grow them. They can be grown in a dedicated border, interplanted among other edibles, with ornamentals in garden beds, or in containers on a patio or courtyard and cooking herbs placed near the kitchen door ready for harvesting.
It is a cook and gardener's delight to be able to pop out to the garden and pick a sprig of rosemary to flavour a leg of lamb, a bunch of mint to add to a summer drink, or a handful of herbs to enhance a salad, and so knowing how to grow herbs is a must.
Read on to find out how to grow a herb garden, and find lots more garden ideas at our dedicated page.
HERB GARDEN DESIGN: HOW TO PLAN YOURS
A herb garden can be formal or informal in design. Begin with a plan; draw up some options and try out your herb garden ideas before rushing out and planting.
Whether or not your herb garden is part of a general garden redesign, consider the following before you start designing yours :
Position cooking herbs near the kitchen: if the most commonly used herbs are just outside the kitchen door in a herb planter, or in a window box on the windowsill, you are much more likely to make use of them while cooking than if they are growing at the bottom of the garden.
Herbs are also lovely planted near entertaining and outdoor areas where their aromas can be enjoyed. Find advice on creating an outdoor dining space.
Design enough room for paths in your herb garden, for easy access and that take into account the sprawling nature of many herbs. Find advice on how to design garden paths in our guide.
Include a focal point in the herb garden, such as a birdbath, simple statuary, an urn overflowing with herbs, clipped standard bay tree or a sundial.
Formal or informal? Square or rectangular beds are formal; traditional round beds cut into segments more informal.
Use clipped hedges to both confine the herbs and add definition to a formal design.
Use rustic paths and loose edges to add charm to an informal herb garden design.
Consider also a herbal walk – growing herbs such as thyme and oregano in pockets along the paving, and hedges of lavender or rosemary.
Consider the shape and spread of the herbs you choose for your herb garden, whether they are annuals or perennials, permanent or will need replanting, and how they will look throughout the year.
EASY HERB GARDEN IDEAS
Here is some inspiration to help give all herb gardens a little lift, even if you are a beginner!
1. GROW HERBS IN CONTAINERS
If you do not have the space for a herb garden, many herbs grow well in containers. It is often wise to contain ones that spread, such as mint, tarragon and lemon balm. Keep in mind, however, that their roots can still escape from the draining holes and potentially invade your garden. Terracotta pots are the classic choice for growing herbs, but for more ideas for container options see our advice on container gardening.
The other upside of growing herbs in pots? You can then move them around to suit the season, cover them with a cloche, pop them in a coldframe or bring them indoors in winter.
2. DIY A HERB PLANT CONTAINER
Make your own herb garden container from pretty upcycled objects with our tips for DIY garden planters. Pots, old sinks, wooden boxes, metal planters can all make good containers – the main thing is to just make sure it has good drainage so the water can escape.
3. CHOOSE A STYLISH HERB PLANTER
Herb planters are also a good way to grow a variety of herbs in one place on a patio or courtyard. There are a variety of different sizes and styles available, and stepped herb planters are ideal for tucking into a smaller space.
4. PLANT YOURS VERTICALLY
Vertical wall containers and planters are an option for growing herbs where space is limited. Find ideas and advice for making a vertical planter, which you can fill with herbs, or how to make hanging planters.
HERB GARDEN CARE
To care for your potted herb garden, remember:
Herb in pots will need to be watered regularly so just test the soil each day - if it feels crumbly or dry give them a water.
Herbs require full sun for most of the day so make sure you position the pots or herb planter somewhere bright and warm.
Pick your herbs regularly. The more you pick the herbs, the bushier and healthier they will grow
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