Herbs are not only decorative; they are useful as well which makes them an essential addition to any garden. Since ancient times they have been used as medicines and as food. But they also have beneficial effects on our own humble gardens, particularly in the vegetable garden, acting as deterrents to harmful insects and attracting useful ones. If you want to grow herbs in your garden it isn’t hard. You can either intersperse them with other plants in a border, grown them in pots, or create a special area dedicated to growing them. Or you can do all three. Here are a few handy tips.
Planning a herb garden
As there are a wealth of different varieties of herbs you can grow, it might be a good idea to decide what you would like to use them for. If you are a budding cook then you might like to grow mainly culinary herbs. Or alternatively you might want to try your hand at creating a few simple herbal remedies or beauty treatments and so need to grow the right kinds of plants for this purpose.
The next important step is to decide where to plant your herbs. If you want to plant predominantly culinary herbs, then it is common sense to place your herb garden near to the kitchen door where your plants will be readily available to you when you are cooking (nobody wants to have to go to the top of the garden for herbs when it’s raining)! Most herbs originate from warmer climates are prefer sunny well-drained soil, although most are surprisingly adaptable. As with any new planting scheme, it is important to prepare the ground well before planting your herbs. Most herbs prefer a soil which is fairly neutral. But it will need to retain some moisture during the growing season, so make sure you dig in plenty of well-rotted manure or garden compost to improve the soil condition and drainage.
The next step is to decide on the style of your herb garden. Formal herb gardens are based on geometrical patterns and usually have a certain symmetry and neatness. Informal herb gardens may look like a free for all but there is usually some sort of order and planning gone into them. For instance, which ever style you decide on, make sure that your plants are accessible and easy to harvest. Paths are a good idea and mean that you can get to the plant you want without trampling on others in your way. As with any other planting scheme, make sure that the smaller plants are at the front and larger ones at the back. Whatever design you choose, it might also be nice to include a focal point such as a statue or garden planter in the centre of the bed to add interest.
The culinary herb garden
The choice of herbs used in cooking is endless, so do some homework and think of those you will find most useful in complementing the cooking you do at home. Here are some classic favourites. Chives are easy to grow and can be used in both cooking and salads. Try the flowers in a salad – decorative and delicious! Sweet marjoram and oregano are good in tomato and meat dishes and the main ingredient in bouquet garni. Mints are an invaluable herb. Try ginger and Moroccan mint. Apple mint is particularly good with new potatoes. If you are growing mint it might be a good idea to plant it in the ground in a pot, as mint can be a bully and tends to take over. A focal point to your garden could be a standard bay tree. Use the leaves in stews and meat dishes. However, your bay might need some protection from frost in winter. There are hundreds of varieties of sage, but officinalis is best for cooking. Thyme is great with fish and makes good stuffing for chicken. It is best grown over rocks or between paving stones. Parsley is a biennial and can be difficult to grow. However, I have a variety of flat-leaved parsley in my herb garden that seems to think it’s a perennial! Rosemary is also easy to grow but can become a little woody with age. Other culinary herbs you might like to include are dill, fennel, garlic and tarragon.
The medicinal herb garden
Herbs often have a dual purpose and can be used in both cooking and medicines. Here are a few you might like to grow. Meadowsweet is a traditional remedy for acidic stomach. Valerian is a sedative and can be used for headaches and mild insomnia. Chamomile is a lovely herb used as a tea for its calming effect. Pot marigolds not only look fantastic but have antiseptic and anti-bacterial properties used to promote healing. Rosemary also has anti-bacterial properties and smells delicious. Try tying a bunch over your bath tap while the water is running for a relaxing bath. Peppermint is great for the digestion as well as providing an uplifting smell as you brush past. Feverfew is very easy to grow and an infusion of its leaves helps with headaches.
Herbs in containers
Most herbs do well in garden planters. Those you might like to include are mints which can be bullies in the herb garden but easily managed in a container and actually like being pot bound. Less hardy herbs such as basil and coriander are better grown in pots and treated as annuals. Ornamental herbs such as standard bays look great in containers too. You might also like to create a smaller herb garden in an old Belfast sink with dwarf varieties of lavender, thyme and mints.
Whatever herbs you decide to grow, their uses are endless and the benefits they will bring to both you and your garden will soon become apparent.
Garden Planters source unusual outdoor and indoor planters, and other garden related gifts – whatever your taste, be it traditional, modern or just a bit quirky, we will have something for you. Run by two qualified and creative gardeners, Garden Planters will also plant up your chosen planter with an arrangement of your choice. We believe garden planters are an integral part of any garden – they enhance the overall design and say a little something about the person to whom the garden belongs.
