Creating a Herb Garden in an Urban Environment

There are so many reasons to grow your own herbs. They look beautiful, smell wonderful and are endlessly useful in the kitchen. Having an ever-growing supply means rarely having to buy expensive bunches from the green grocer and they’re always fresh. Most herbs are very ornamental and make perfect houseplants so anyone can find a spot at home to grow their own herbs no matter how small or non-existent their garden may be. Try some of the hardy varieties listed below and enjoy their fragrance and flavour. Chamomile tea, anyone?

Sourcing Herb Plants to Grow at Home

Common herbs can usually be purchased as seedlings from nurseries and garden centres and are an easy and fairly inexpensive way of starting out. Basil, rosemary, thyme, mint, sage and parsley should all be easy to source.

Those with a little more gardening experience may want to start their herb plants from seed which is an even thriftier option and not too difficult in itself. One reason to give seeds a go is that all kinds of rare culinary and medicinal herbs are available from online seed purveyors. Herbs such as the beautiful blue flowered borage, dark leaved peppermint and sour sorrel can be purchased from specialist sellers such as Cornucopia Seeds, offering all sorts of possibilities to the home grower.

Creating an Urban Herb Garden

Before you purchase plants or seeds, decisions need to be made as to where and in what the herbs are to be grown. Most common herbs originate in the Mediterranean or tropics, so warmth is something to consider. 15-20C (60-70F) is ideal for most herbs which is why well lit indoor spaces are often so suitable.

Small, soft leaved herbs such as dill and coriander (cilantro) can be grown in very small containers on a shelf and replenished at the end of their life-cycle. More vigorous herbs such as mint and rosemary require larger containers, and small ‘trees’ such as curry leaf and bay will need larger containers again.

Use a good quality potting mix for container growing (never garden soil) and select containers based on what you like and have available, but make sure there are holes in the bottom for proper drainage. Most herbs hate wet feet.

Warmth-loving, hardy herbs such as oregano, basil and marjoram will do especially well indoors. Sunlight is important, so choose an area that gets plenty of window light, but not so close that delicate plants get burnt.

If growing indoors isn’t an option, a window-sill, verge or even back alley can be the source of a wonderful herb garden. Just make sure that there is sufficient protection from winds and expect some die back during cold winters.

Some Recommended Herbs for Urban Gardens

• Basil is a summer herb with attractive, soft green leaves and tall woody stems. Add it to tomato based sauces or raw to a ‘caprese salad’ with mozzarella and freshly sliced tomato. It can be grown in small to medium sized containers and likes plenty of sunlight.

• Bay trees can be pruned like bonsais and will supply fresh leaves year-round. Other ‘tree’ herbs to consider are the gorgeously scented kaffir lime tree and the flavoursome curry leaf.

• Chives are handy to have growing whenever you require an onion flavour in a dish. They can be grown in small containers in or nearby the kitchen and conveniently snipped into soups and salads.

• Mint is indispensable for soothing teas, cool cocktails and exotic meat and vegetable dishes. It has a vigorous root system and will do best went kept moist (but not wet) in a medium to large container.

• Parsley can be used in all kinds of dishes and makes a healthy snack all on its own. It will grow in small pots, but most cooks find they never have enough so plant as much as you can.

• Thyme is a classic herb for flavouring meat and vegetable dishes and can be grown in small containers given enough light, and not too much water. Lemon thyme is a lovely variety to grow.

• Rosemary gives off a glorious scent and can be used in all kinds of dishes. It has a large root system and does best in medium to large pots in well-lit areas.

• Sage is a beautiful herb that adds a wonderful note to savoury dishes. While it prefers the outdoors, it can be grown in a medium sized container given some occasional outdoor time.

Of course these suggestions are only a drop in the ocean of the endless possibilities a herb garden presents. Speak to the staff at your local nursery and follow your nose. A world of sensory delights waits.