Gardening
“Most herbs are perfect for growing
in containers, which means that even
if you only have a balcony or patio to
spare, a herb garden can still flourish.”
growing in containers, which
means that even if you only have
a balcony or patio to spare, a herb
garden can still flourish.
When planting a container, do
put together plants that have
similar growing requirements, and
consider how much sun the pot
will receive during the day.
And if you plan to grow mint, be
aware that it’s a rampant spreader,
so it’s best to keep it separately
in its own pot, even if planted in
the ground, otherwise it’s likely to
crowd out your other herbs.
Tender Mediterranean plants
such as basil, coriander and
lemongrass can easily be grown
in the UK, although they will have
to be protected from frost and are
generally grown as annuals.
According to The Herb Society,
the educational charity that aims
to encourage the use of herbs
for cooking, health and healing,
it’s best to grow young plants or
seedlings on a windowsill until all
threat of frost has passed.
They actively enjoy warm
conditions, so they’ll be at their
happiest with the protection of
a polytunnel or greenhouse or a
spot on a sunny patio all Summer.
In fact basil is commonly planted
around tomatoes as it enjoys
similar conditions.
In contrast, hardy annuals such
as the lovely vibrant orange pot
marigold (Calendula), borage and
chamomile are easily grown from
seed. They can be sown straight
into the ground round about now,
and will self-seed themselves
quite happily.
Picture perfect
Because they’re such hard-
workers on the culinary and
healing front, herbs are somewhat
under-rated when it comes to their
ornamental value.
In fact, you don’t have to sacrifice
a pretty garden display in order
to grow them, because herbs also
bring plenty to the table in terms
of their looks: typically, with cool-
toned aromatic foliage, feathery
textured leaves and in many cases,
lovely delicate flowers.
Most of us grow and love
lavender but there are plenty of
other eye-pleasing herbs, from
the fat purple blooms of the
chive plant, soft lilac stems of the
catmints, and daisy-like flowers of
chamomile and feverfew.
There are even herbs that
wouldn’t look out of place in
a classy vase arrangement –
varieties such as bold purple
echinacea, golden yellow yarrow,
fluffy white meadowsweet and
soft pink marshmallow.
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