Tag: Outdoor herbs

Be faithful to your herb garden

Perhaps you are saying, but Milly my deck and patio are full of geraniums and grilling machines. I need to/ I want to plant my herbs in the ground!

Well Okey-doke. All you need is a few feet square, but you are welcome to plant a herb garden that is as big as you like. Either way , the possibilities of grandeur are easy and wonderful!  You can plant with a few perennial (comes back year after year) and mix in a few annual herbs for adventure and fun. If you are luck the annual ones may reseed and that is one more you don’t have to buy next year!  Mix it up as it pleases you.

The requirements for you’re ‘in the ground’  herb garden are:
• About a ½ day of sun.
• Don’t forget to water regularly.
• Weed as needed.
• Thin out your plants as needed and be faithful to your herb garden in the attention you give it. In return of the favor the herbs will give you in multiple flavors for your kitchen, and beauty for your soul.

Some herbs to consider:

Arugula – a nutty flavored annual. Little pretty white flowers. In warm weather goes to seed easily. Even the flower is edible!

Tarragon – can you say stuffed chicken and not think tarragon?  Likes rich soil and keep it watered.

Thyme –  instead of saying chicken with thyme you really almost can’t say Cooking with Herbs and not say Thyme! Many varieties to choose from and easy to grow. Thyme can grow in DRY conditions, so if you tend to forget to water this may be the herb for you!  Some thyme  grow upright and some grow spread across the ground. Plant some where folks will have to step on it and smell the lovely crush of scent each time a foot goes down on it.

Oregano – can you say Pizza! This herb is little bit like a wild hair day – it wants to go just go where ever.  The difference is that here it is ok!  The more you trim this herb the bushier it will become.  Water when dry.

Basil – seems like the Must Have Herb. Aroma City and good on almost veggie there is, especially fresh tomatoes. This one grows UP and when it flowers you ought to pinch that puppy right off and keep your basil well watered.

Can you tell we are working up to tomorrow post of Fresh Herbs in the kitchen?

Outdoors, but contained herbs.

Yesterday was fun for I love container gardening in or out. However, there are several good reasons to consider keeping some of your herbs in pots. The first reason is some herbs can spread like wild-fire. Do you really want mint all over the garden?  When gardeners speak of outdoor “containment” they usually mean pots or raised enclosed beds. Milly and I are big fans of pots. The selection of styles and colors are amazing these days BUT it is limited only by your imagination. Have an old planter you don’t like anymore? Paint it, or put it upside down and let it be a level lift for one you do like. What do you have lying around that is no good to you anymore for its original use? There is a 50% chance I would guess it may able to become a one of a kind, all original, planter! I have an old strawberry cookie jar that the top has lost a petal and has sat around in the garage for a few years. It is from my mother-in-law so it has “sentimental value” for us. This summer it will hold some lovely trailing herb plant!

Have a cool specimen herb? Plant it in its own container. Show it off and give it the star treatment it deserves in some wonderful planter in a place of honor.

If you have herbs with similar grow needs try grouping them in an assortment of planters. Remember the old design rules of thumb, keep the numbers uneven, 1,3,5 pots look better than 2 or 4 generally speaking. Vary the heights for visual interest. Make it elegant or goofy and fun, it is all up to you!

Here are some ideas to play with:

Elf peaking out from the Herb of Rosemary (archive image). Every day ought to be Earth Day!

Basil comes in many colors, leaf shapes, sizes, flavors and scents. How about an assorted basil garden that is good for all your senses!

Mint– another one with many varieties, tastes and scents (spearmint, peppermint, lemon mint, & bergamot to name a few.) These guys really do need to be a pot if you want to keep them from spreading! Lots of water and sun and this herb will go to town!

Can you possible beat French Lavender as a specimen in a beautiful pot? I think not! One of Milly’ and mine all time favorites!

Simon and Garfunkel sang of Parsley Sage Rosemary and Thyme. Year after year I have planted these guys together on my deck, in a planter and it these guys have never let me down. They grow well together, they look nice all together and they taste nice all together too.

READY NOW? GO FIND SOME GOOD STUFF TO RECYCLE IN YOUR HOUSE AND MAKE A PLANTER!

Go to ne nearest Farmers Market and find your favorite beautiful herbs all ready to go.

Go to your deck , your patio, or your window  garden and have fun!

… and speaking of Farmers Markets – don’t forget to look for us at Garden City Whole Foods today and every Tuesday through out the summer. The Gang of Botanical Beauties and Beasties have 3 new products they are excited to share with you. A Graduation card, a Fathers Day card, and a wildly cute and hilarious camp post card for the kids.