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How to Plant Herbs in a Container
Boccaccio's famous character, Isabella, may have planted her lover's head in a pot of basil and given a new meaning to container gardening; however, all of this concept need not be as morbid as her foray in the agricultural area. Ancient Egyptians and Romans most likely developed the idea of container gardening and it soon caught the fancy of other races where land was at a premium or manpower lacking to sufficiently cultivate commercial herb plantation sizes.
Rise of container gardening: planting herbs in pots and pans and what-have-you's
The concept of planting herbs in a container grew to a phenomenon in American gardening history with southern California leading since the 1950s, a revolution of controlled gardening to suit smaller housing areas and budget constraints. Planting herbs in containers allows one to enjoy plants in areas where a traditional garden may not be possible. Many people have limited space to grow herbs, but the most convenient aspect of herb gardening is that it is possible to cultivate herbs even in small and awkward nooks and crannies.
One can experiment with plants optimize or control environmental conditions to suit the requirements of the herbs sowed in containers or even seal their fate by growing a variety of herbs in one cordoned-off container so they can have some companionship. Such herbs are referred to as companion plants-those that have a symbiotic relationship when co-existing in the space of another plant/herb. Oregano is a fine example of a companion herb for broccoli that also enhances the flavor of beans if planted together as it repels the insects attracted to these vegetables.
Advantages of planting herbs in a container: top tips
Mobility ranks the highest amongst advantages of planting herbs in containers as these can be moved easily during change of season or shifting to a new home. Moreover, the individual space that a container affords to the herb allows you to treat it separately with appropriate sprays without affecting other plants. If the herb container is close by, it allows the gardening accessibility of tending to the watering and daily dose of sunshine the herb may need.
- Select a wide container and plant in the summer season. A large size clay pot is ideal for a herb garden; however equally effective and a good conversation piece would be a pizza pan that can hold six to seven herbs and vegetable plants. 20 inches across is a good size to contain consistent moisture in the soil.
- Standard potting soil mixed in water-retentive polymers can be put in the container about an inch from the top and herbs like oregano, parsley and thyme can be planted along the side so they cascade Rapunzel-style. The center can be reserved for bushier herbs like basil and garlic chives-as filler-inners.
- Use organic pest solutions such as safer soaps and always wash the herbs before use and grow them by the windowsill for best results.