Essential Herbs for Your Garden Pots
May 12, 2009
Growing Essential Herbs In Pots.
One of the best ways of bringing some of the garden to the kitchen and some of the kitchen to the garden is by growing herbs. You don’t even have to have a garden to do it. In fact, part of the fun of growing herbs is to grow them in flower pots. With a harvest of herbs within reach of the kitchen, whether its just outside the kitchen door or in the window sill, culinary inspiration comes naturally.
Many herbs thrive in pots and luckily, most of the essential herbs that are a must have for that extra burst of flavor in your favorite dishes. Once you have selected the herbs you want to grow and have them planted in well-drained potting soil, the hard work is over; they need little attention aside from watering and pinching back to encourage lush growth.
Here is a list of some of the essential herbs that are easy to grow in pots.
Basil – This tender annual flourishes in warm weather but needs plenty of moisture. Pinch plants when they are small to encourage branching, and remove flower stalks as they form. You can harvest leaves for salads and seasoning all summer.
Chives – An ornamental onion that grows in a clump of long, thin foliage, The leaves can be snipped with scissors and used in many recipes. Fresh flowers can be tossed into a salad. Hardy in zones 5 – 11.
Lavender – The Mediterranean plant requires quick draining soil. This aromatic herb adds some flare in brownies or chocolate cake. Hardy in zones 5 – 8
Oregano – The small, fragrant leaves and pretty flowers in midsummer make this herb one of my favorites. It flourishes in hot, dry spots. Harvest whole stems, which can be stripped of their leaves in the kitchen. Hardy in zones 4 – 9
Parsley – These plants will tolerate cool weather and can be set out in early spring. Parsley can be grown from seed but takes up to three weeks to germinate. Harvesting encourages new growth.
Sage – This herb has some different looks that can really add a lot to your herbal arrangement. Their are some variegated versions that really have a beautiful look to them. sage does not tolerate wet soil. Hardy in Zones 5 – 8
Thyme - Drought tolerant and spreading. Who could ask for anything more – and an herb to top it off. Wow – what a combination. Clip the stems and strip or pinch leaves off, or bundle a few stems together to use as seasoning in soups. Hardy in zones 4 – 9
These and many other herbs can be successfully raised in pots. Experiment with different herbs and different combinations within the same pot. It’s great fun and the benefits taste great.
Bon Appetit.
