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Advice on front garden please

James in SurreyJames in Surrey Posts: 8
in Garden design
Hi everyone. I am the lucky owner of a 3 bed semi in Surrey. It appears the rest of the road has paved their front garden to create an extra parking space. I don't wish to do this. I love the small lawn and the rose bushes. Where I need some advice is, would it be possible and/or wise to create a herb garden under the front room bay window? The front of the house is south facing. Would this be advisable and if so are there any risks or concerns? I shall try to post some pictures over the next day. Any help or advice is most welcome. Thank you.
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Posts

  • Hostafan1Hostafan1 Posts: 34,888

    Welcome to the forum James, click on the little tree icon to add photos James.

    Devon.
  • James in SurreyJames in Surrey Posts: 8
    Thanks, will do. Unlikely to get photos until Tuesday, apologies in advance!
  • B3B3 Posts: 27,504

    The herbs will need a lot of watering. Can you get your hose round  the  front easily?

     

     

    In London. Keen but lazy.
  • James in SurreyJames in Surrey Posts: 8

    Thank you B3. Yes, there is an outside tap/hose and an alley way for easy access to the front.

    This raises a question, is it wise to have it so close to the house, especially if a lot of water is required?

    I will post a picture tomorrow of the garden and the area.

    Many thanks 

  • EsspeeEsspee Posts: 274

    Is there a busy road out front?  

  • James in SurreyJames in Surrey Posts: 8

    There is a road, it is not particularly busy. 

  • Steve 309Steve 309 Posts: 2,753

    If it's a hot sunny site, Mediterranean herbs such as rosemary, thyme, oregano and maybe even basil (if it's shelered, and we have a hot summer) and fenugreek  would do well.  They do best in a well-drained soil and wouldn't need an enormous amount of water.  Lavender too if you have room.

    Or you could grow tomatoes up the wall - might make your front room too dark though!

  • ObelixxObelixx Posts: 30,087

    Woody herb plants like rosemary, sage and bay will love a sheltered south facing position and not need a great deal of water.  Thyme could also be grown there as a ground cover plant.

    Tarragon is a possibility but not as hardy so I grow mine in a pot I can bring in and put on the windowsill once the frosts start.   Chives make a good edging plant but can be thuggish when happy and look odd when cut so I grow mine in troughs now.  The white flowered forms have a more delicate flavor and are less thuggish.

    Mint needs to be confined to a pot or it will invade and it needs some shade and lots of water.   Parsley and basil also need lots of water and, in my experience, do best in tubs, pots or window boxes.  I can also move them around and water as they need it.

    Vendée - 20kms from Atlantic coast.
    "The price good men (and women) pay for indifference to public affairs is to be ruled by evil men (and women)."
    Plato
  • James in SurreyJames in Surrey Posts: 8

    Hi everyone, as promised, 3 photos. All advice is warmly welcome.

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  • Kitty 2Kitty 2 Posts: 5,150

    Hi James, I would grow your herbs in containers for the reasons obelix stated above.

    Maybe 2 troughs under the window, one for the Mediterranean herbs that like it dry and one for those needing more watering.

    A standard bay would look nice in the space beside your front door.

    The other benefit of using pots is that you can move them out of the way when you wash your windows.

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