this year's herbs are planted!

[tasunkawitko]

each year, i'd been trying a few herbs in small clay pots indoors on a south-facing windowsill. a few did OK, but none ever really did very well.

this year, i am trying them in larger pots (about the size of standard metal coffee cans) and will be setting them outside, at least during the day. we live in a pretty hot and dry climate, so i put a paper towel into the bottom of each pot, hopefully to help retain moisture.

here are the 14 herbs i am growing this year.

french tarragon
cilantro/coriander
spearmint
fernleaf dill
rosemary
italian flat-leaf parsley
sage
genovese basil
chives
oregano
marjoram
savory
thyme
lavender

we'll see how they do this year!

 

[smoke freak]

Hey, those things are beggin to be put in the ground.You can expect some harvest in pots but in good soil you will get way more.

Just my opinion...

 

[alx]

Nice selection.I am or have grown all of those.In my garden i have my herbs planted were they get morning sun and shade in heat of day.I will be hanging 2 types of oregano and sage from friends herb garden shortly- that i swap for summer veggies.Keep us posted.

 

[meatball]

I like to put my herbs in fairly large pots and they seem to do really well like that. I have used the small pots before with the same results as you Tasunka. I use pots as large as five gallons for basil and it gets almost bushy after a few clips. I have my thyme in a pot about half that size and I like to use window box-style planters for mint, since that stuff is more hardy and grows almost like a close to the ground weed would. I agree with ALX, looks like you've got a great selection. What do you use lavender for? I grew lavender once a couple years ago, but didn't know what to do with it.

 

[rivet]

Mrs. Rivet, who is in charge of the herb portion of our garden, discovered our herbs do best in pots, varying sizes, in an area that has the right amount of shade and sun. We've had an overflow of herbage since she's been doing it this way instead of in the ground; more than we can possibly use, and we share a lot of it with the neighbors and family.

Hard to believe, but this year we have an oregano and chive pot each that survived the winter and are producing their second year of growth~ and this is with icy winter weather that hit below zero F several times.

 

[eman]

Just a lil warning to all.
If you are growing mint do so in containers. It is a runner and will take over a small herb garden pretty quick.
I ended up haveing to round up my bed to get rid of it.

 

[silverwolf636]

So if you're up in Montana, then them ought to grow here in Ohio too?

 

[beer-b-q]

If it grows in Montana it will grow anywhere...LOL

 

[tn_bbq]

What was the problem with last year's plants?

With pots, you really need to water them frequently.

 

[alx]

I have enough room that my herb garden is sheltered from winter winds...I used to lose alot when i had to use an exposed area...

Pots are ideal from my experiences if location is not ideal....My oregano,basil,tyme etc. plants are at least 10 years old.....I will see if i have pics or take some this afternoon....

Great advice mentioned on keeping potted plants watered...Just not too much....

 

[lovinspoonful]

I agree that many herbs seem to do better in pots than they do in the ground, IF the pot is large enough. If not it may never really flourish. And I think 2.5 gallons is the minimum for most annual plants, and 5 for perennials. I think with coffee cans you are going to find your plants' growth checked pretty quick.

I don't know why they do better in pots. I have some hardy rosemary that I have been trying to get going in the ground and they just sort of sit there while their sisters in pots are going wild. They are all in the same place, too. I think it might have to do with controlling moisture. Rosemary likes to dry out between waterings. Other herbs that like wetter feet, like basil, thrive in pots if if watered daily. Who knows.