There are numerous benefits to planting a container herb garden in the comfort of your own home. In addition to the availability of fresh herbs at any time, container gardens are decidedly easier to plant, grow and maintain because of the ability to control growing conditions indoors. Following a few simple steps will ensure that your container herb garden flourishes with fresh herbs to add to your favorite recipes.
STEP 1
Choose a container with enough room for the herbs to comfortably grow. Herbs come in different sizes, however, each container should accommodate the herb itself as well as at least a gallon of potting mix. The container should also have enough drainage holes to accommodate proper watering. According to the Utah State University Extension, you can plant three herbs in a 12-inch container, using about 3.5 gallons of potting mixture. A larger, 16-inch pot can hold five herbs and about 5.5 gallons of mixture.
STEP 2
Purchase a top-quality potting mix. Container herbs grow best in as good a potting mix as you can create. Potting mix is better than soil because it holds moisture better than soil and is more sterile. However, you may want to add fertilizer to the mix before planting your herbs to further enrich the potting mix. According to the Utah State University Extension, opt for granular fertilizer used before planting or a soluble variety after the herbs have been planted. Choose a lower application rate to enhance the aroma of each herb.
STEP 3
Use herbs that grow well in a more compact environment, versus those that need to spread out in an outdoor garden. Avoid taller herbs, like dill, because they may make the container too top-heavy. Trend toward drought-tolerant herbs, such as sage or thyme, in the event that you cannot water them every day. You might also choose herbs with trailing vines, such as rosemary, that can drape over containers for a more cosmetically-appealing look.
STEP 4
Plant herbs in containers at the proper depth. According to the Utah State University Extension, plant the top of the herb's root ball just below the surface of the potting mix. Fill the container to the point where three quarters of the container is full of potting mix, which should also be moist, but not completely soaked.
STEP 5
Water herbs as needed. When you water your herbs, root around in the potting mix until you can feel the dirt a good 3 to 4 inches below. If it is still wet, the herb does not need to be watered yet. If it feels fairly dry, then go ahead and water until that portion of the mix is well-moisturized. Smaller herbs require less-frequent waterings and less moisture when it is time to water them.
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