Growing

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Those who have gardens may still want to grow some plants in containers to brighten up a deck, patio, or the front stoop. If you think you can't garden because yard space is limited, container gardening offers you new options. Many herbs grow well in containers, but growing in a pot is not like growing in the garden. Special attention must be paid to some of the things we take for granted with plants growing in the garden:

pots—what they are made of, how big they are, and how they drain
potting mix—it has to be light and contain nutrients needed by the plants
location—sun, partial shade, sheltered
planting—special needs for potted plants
watering—how much and how often
fertilizing—how often and what fertilizer
pruning and training—which plants, how, and how often

Two excellent herbs to grow in pots are African blue basil and Fernleaf dill, which was actually developed to be grown in a pot. You'll find scented geraniums and alpine strawberries good in pots, too. In fact, alpine strawberries are the best strawberries for pots because they don't put out runners and they have a smallish rootball.

Here are a few other tips about specific herbs:

Mediterranean herbs such as lavender, sweet marjoram, thyme, and rosemary like a sandy soil.
Sweet marjoram and thyme do well together.
Rosemary, lavender, lemon verbena, and sage make fine single specimens in a 9½" to 12" pot.
Parsley and dill have longish taproots and will do best in a deep pot.
Mint likes it wet and shady.
Coriander and parsley like a bright spot without direct sunlight and like it cool and wet.
The following herbs are suitable for hanging baskets: In sun-creeping thymes, prostrate rosemary, and ivies. In shade-pennyroyal and mints.
If you have an itty bitty space for culinary herbs, consider a window box with parsley, chives, rosemary, creeping lemon thyme, and basil, if it is a sheltered spot. Calendula or nasturtiums add a bit of color and can be eaten in salad.

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