Herb Garden in Pots

Pot gardens work well in areas of ever changing weather or in small compact areas like balconies or small, constricted patios. Pots can be started in early spring and if frosty weather threatens, the pots can be easily covered or taken into a shelter. Should the balcony or patio become partially shaded sometime during the day, the pots can be moved into the sun for optimal exposure.

Large pots must be used for a pot garden. It might be wise to place them on holders with wheels or casters so they can be rolled inside the garage when cold weather descends.

1. Pot gardens can be utilitarian. Try planting a culinary pot garden outside your kitchen door.
2. Add basil to soups and stews or make Pesto and serve over pasta. Four or five plants can be planted in a large pot. Make sure to pinch the blooms back to encourage more growth.
3. Use Italian Flat leaf Parsley for garnish or to flavor just about any meat or vegetable. Parsley grows very well in a pot and several plants can be placed in one large pot. Move into a sheltered area and it may come back the next year.
4. Summer Savory lends a delicate flavor to poultry, fish and bean dishes and can be planted alone in a pot or with several different plants. Don’t let this plant flower, just cut blooms off with scissors to promote more growth.
5. Rosemary goes well with lamb, pork, beef, and poultry. Rosemary is hard to make come back the next year. Try putting it in a sheltered area and see what happens.
6. Chiveslend an oniony taste to any dish. Only plant one big chive plant per pot as they will spread. Chives will come back the next year. Cut your plant back at the end of the growing season and place in a sheltered area. Chives actually need a cool down period for them to return the next season.
7. Thyme goes well with chicken and is friendly with sage, rosemary, and savory or tarragon. It particularly gets along with tarragon probably because they are both native to the Mediterranean and grow together there.
8. Sage is popular in any stuffing recipe and can be planted with other herbs in a pot. It grows upward and not too outward leaving room in the pot. If you place it in a sheltered area outside, like a porch where the wind won’t hit it you may have fresh sage in November for Thanksgiving. Also place this in a sheltered area and it will come back the next year.
9. Tarragon is a great herb to use with chicken and fish, but also works with some lamb, and beef recipes. It grows long like a cat tail and droops so plant it with other upward or bushy growing plants.
10. Mintspreads, everywhere. It is most suited for growing in pots with only mint growing in it. Be careful because if you mint grows long and spills over the side and hits the ground you will find mint growing in the ground soon after. Make sure to manicure your pot so this doesn’t happen. Mint is good with some chicken, turkey and fish recipes.

Now make things a little more interesting by purchasing cheap cups and saucers or find tea pots at a garage sale and place them by the pots or even in the pots with the plants your are growing.

Flowers also do well in containers or you can create a theme garden in pots. See articles Gardening in Containers to Enhance Small Spaces or Make a Tea Pot Garden.