Do you love growing herbs at home for the instant supply of green spices on daily dishes? Most herbs can be grown in a container at home. You can place the container or pots of herbs in the balcony, deck, patio, or front steps of your home. You can even have one in the kitchen. The local nursery allows you to choose the best varieties of herbs at home. The gardener designs container herb gardens specifically for those who want to have a collection of herbs at home. There are things to consider when growing container herb garden.
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Type of Container
It is important to choose the right type of container appropriate for the purpose. Size matters in container gardening, which is why it is important to choose one that fits the space where you want to place it and for it to contain the herbs you want to grow. Some of the popular choices for containers are terra-cotta, cement planters, wood planters, fabric containers, and more. If the container is too small, the roots of the plants tend to get crowded easily. On the other hand, containers that are too large tend to force the plants to focus on root production instead of yielding more leaves and fruits. See the flower shop to choose the containers you want to use.
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Light Requirement
Most herbs need sunlight so that they can give the flavor and aroma you expect. They usually require 6 hours of sunlight daily. Placing them at an appropriate location so they get enough sunlight is very essential. If you are growing container herb garden at home, indoor or outdoor, make sure that the plants are grouped together according to light requirement. You can also supplement light with artificial light by using fluorescent lamps, especially on winter months. The florist in Singapore can give you helpful tips in growing different herbs.
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Soil Requirement
It is always important and essential to use high quality potting soil in growing container herb garden at home. The soil-less mixture is one of your options. You can ask the expert gardener for the most recommended type of soil or make a good potting mix recipe using sterile garden soil, compost, peat moss, and coconut coir. Most herbs need good drainage system and will tend to get drowned when too much water is kept in the container.
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Fertilizer and Plant Food
Most herbs require a few amounts of fertilizers. You can get the solution at the florist’s shop or have all-natural organic fertilizers. Liquid fish and kelp fertilizer are also effective for herbs. On the other hand, it is not good to over-fertilize herbs. They tend to die and wither away when overfed..
Types of Herbs Best to Grow in a Container Garden
- Basil – This is an Italian annual herb that can grow even under full sun in your back yard or front yard. It can go with other herbs like Parsley and Thymes to create a spicy garden.
- Chives – This is a perennial herb that is great for container garden. Chives are one of the delicious and flavorful herbs and you can leave them outdoors all year round because they can grow well even under full sun. Even their pink-purple blooms can be flavorful.
- Parsley – Parsley seed can grow into tasty herbs. The leaves establish through the years and once flowers came out, it will soon die. Moreover, the leaves of Parsley are a popular choice for different types of garnishing. This herb is very easy to grow from seeds even in less or minimal maintenance in full sun or light shading.
- Mint – There are many types of mints to grow in a container garden. This is a versatile plant that can be used for different purposes like teas and flavorings. The mint can grow into large and bushy plant all year round, giving you constant supply of Mint leaves for your dishes.
- Thyme – Thyme is another herb plant that can be grouped with other herbs in a container garden. It is also low-maintenance type of plant and it is one of the best drought-tolerant plants to keep at home.
- Rosemary – This is a Mediterranean shrub with evergreen leaves. This type of herb plant can grow in full sun and in moist soil but with well-drained potting system. The roots can tolerate drought and less water.
- Sage – Sage is a favorite seasoning especially for the poultry. This plant yields more when grown in full sun and in well-drained potting mix.
- Cilantro – Cilantro or Coriander has the tangy leaves that are used for culinary and medicinal purposes. Its ground seeds are dried for different uses and benefits too. Cilantro makes a perfect herb plant for container garden because they can grow even under full sun.
- Lemon Verbena – This annual tropical shrub commonly grows in any container gardens with well-drained potting mix. They do not require fertilizer and they grow best under full sun. Even with few nutrients, this plant can give you plenty of yields throughout the year.
Some of these herbs grow together in one container while some should not be combined together. Sage and Thyme can be included in a container garden with Rosemary, Oregano, and Marjoram. On the other hand, Basil and Parsley can be combined with Cilantro, Tarragon, and other herbs that prefer moisture and water. Knowing which herb plants grow together will help you make your container herb gardening more successful and bushy.