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Herbs in Window boxes
Carolyn3
Posts: 1
in Fruit & veg
I'm going to plant up small herbs in window boxes and would appreciate advice on which ones and what special care they may need.
0
Posts
Carolyn I'd say just plant whatever you like to eat! Personally I have trouble with Basil but others have managed to grow it for the season without too much trouble. The hardiest ones are parsley, thyme and oregano (in my experience). Mint will usually grow well but can have a tendency to take over so if you're planting that put it in a pot of its own where it can grow as aggressively as it likes! So long as you water them enough to stop the compost/soil drying out and they get some sunlight each day they should be just fine. Are you growing indoors our outdoors? If indoors, I'd hesitate at Rosemary which is a tough enough plant, but it comes from the med originally where it can grow in oodles of the heat and sun that we don't tend to get here. Hope this helps
Hi Carolyn,
I have so many herbs! I love them. To stop the small herbs from spreading... you could always plant them into the window box inside their pot (you don't want one herb taking over).
There are many that have beautiful flowers on as well, such as, blue hyssop or rosemary.
I would also recommend putting grit/small stones on top of the soil once the herbs have been planted; this will make the herb garden look complete!
I have rosemary, two types of mint, lavender, tricolour sage, blue hyssop, chives, garlic chives, parsley and so many more and they're all growing well! Most are very easy to look after!!
Hi Carolyn. As Heather says - just grow the ones you like to use. I'm making the assumption the boxes are outdoors, so if it's a sunny site - chives may not be so happy as they like a bit of shade. Basil needs a bit more protection - I grow it inside here but all the rest mentioned are fine outdoors. If it's all the usual Med herbs like rosemary and thyme etc, mix a good bit of grit into your compost as they like poor conditions, and Kay's right, top dressing with grit finishes them off nicely. I grow Rosemary and Thyme here without any problem by putting plenty of grit in the mix - it's wet conditions which see off most of these herbs. (I'm in wet west of Scotland) Since window boxes get a fair bit of protection from the house walls make sure they get enough water in long dry spells. Plant them and enjoy Carolyn!
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...