"Container Herb Gardening"
Container herb gardening is a practical way of having fresh herbs available as required, and can also be a work of art!
Herbs are beautiful plants and most can be grown in containers indoors or out.
And not only are they useful and beautiful to look at, growing herbs indoors creates a fresh atmosphere in your home.
The transfer of gases and other scientific bits and pieces means the air you breathe will be less dusty, purer and an absolute delight to your senses!
Container from Jackson and Perkins (US) Click on 'Holiday Gifts', then under 'Holiday Favorites click on 'Holiday Garden'
And outdoors, herbs help attract butterflies and bees, and are an aromatic addition to your veggie garden or simply dotted around the patio. Why not have a bowl of chives growing near the bar-b-q and let your guests help themselves!
Start your herbs off using seeds. Thompson & Morgan are useful global seed distributors and have a good range of herb seeds..
Thompson & Morgan UK Herbs
Thompson & Morgan US Herbs
Thompson & Morgan Worldwide!
Or buy small plants all ready to go! Browse garden catalogs and have a look in your local garden centre. Different regions will have a variety of herbs available and at different times of the year. Be prepared to add to your container herb gardening project as time goes on...
Container herb gardening-indoors:
Nearly all everyday herbs can be grown indoors. As long as your plants get enough light and air circulation, there's no reason the indoor plant should be any less productive than the outside plants. Outdoor herb gardening can lead to a mass herb take-over - mint popping up all over the place, rosemary getting out of control, and various other natural grow attacks! In containers they stay contained :-)
Choose well-drained containers, large enough and pleasing to the eye. Don't squash too many herbs in too small a space. They won't thrive well.
Traditional clay pots are nice but they tend to dry the soil very quickly so more care will be needed with regular watering. You could use plastic and disguise it with baskets and other decorative containers.
All these containers are available for UK delivery at Crocus UK Container Herb Gardening UK type 'containers' into search box or click on 'garden tools and produce' and browse the categories from there...
For US deliveries Jackson & Perkins have lots of containers available.
 
Container Herb Gardening US
Click on Garden & Home and choose from the list of products under the heading 'container gardening'
Any decent container could be used for growing your plants. An old sink for example can hold separate pots of herbs. The sink could be filled out with soil or sand. Add some attractive pebbles from the beach, or even seashells!
Or simply keep your herbs in individual pots dotted around the house.
It's important to ensure whatever container you use is well-drained.
Growing in containers indoors or out will make herb gardening just that little bit more organized.
Position herbs in a sunny spot in your home, but be careful not to place behind glass where the sun is very hot. The plants will scorch very easily in those conditions.
A sunny windowsill in the kitchen is ideal -
*The herbs are at hand where they are needed
*Water is easily available
*The kitchen window can be left open to allow air circulation
*And most importantly, you visit the kitchen regularly and can keep an eye on your babies
If the kitchen windowsill isn't a practical option for you, find the next best place,
keeping in mind the need to water, ensure an air supply and more to the point, enjoyed!
Container herb gardening - Outdoors:
Apart from the need for a more weather-proof container, all other tips apply for indoor or outdoor container gardening.
Container herb gardening - Looking after:
Choose a good potting compost or mix for your container herb gardening. Best to start off with as many nutrients as possible.
Because your herbs will draw all the nutrients contained in the pot, the soil will get tired very quickly. It is therefore very important to feed the soil regularly. Always use an organic fertilizer and never spray any insecticides or other non-organic products onto your indoor plants.
At the first sign of aphids or other bugs - try washing the plant gently with warm water and pure soap. Bugs don't like the soap, but most plants won't mind it at all. Use a soft cloth or sponge and gently wash the leaves of any infected plants.
Check the soil everyday for moisture. If the soil is dry around an inch below the surface, you should water. Never let your herbs become water-logged. Check the drainage of your containers and keep the soil moist.
If you can't check the moisture levels every day, consider self-watering systems.
Although container gardening needs a little extra special care, there is the advantage of no digging, little weeding and also mobility. Move your containers around from time to time. Get a new look for your garden.
Experiment and enjoy!
More "Container Herb Gardening" Reading
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