hard scape, herb garden bed
2 years ago
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- 2 years agolast modified: 2 years ago
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Why are herbs so hard to keep alive indoors?
Comments (17)You can add me to the list of folks that tries every year to overwinter herbs indoors. I have a nice perennial herb bed, but to give up fresh herbs for five months of the year is depressing to me, so I bring in as many as I can with mixed results. My rosemary is on its third winter, and though it looks a little disgruntled by springtime, it recoups nicely over the summer months. Parsley does very well for me in the kitchen window, and I've had some success with oregano. Each year I try basil and marjoram, and each year they die a slow and painful death. You'd think I'd learn. Oh, and that invasive weed known as mint ... I can't keep it alive, LOL. I've tried letting it overwinter on the porch, in the garage, in the house. Doesn't matter, it never comes back for me, but I don't dare plant it in the ground for fear it will take over. Ken, I agree about the dryness indoors in winter, but where I live, the plants should be used to it. Our humidity levels are extremely low all year round. I've thought about starting some herb seeds indoors in the fall, to see if I have any luck that way. Bonnie...See MoreFormal herb garden
Comments (4)Thanks. My new raised bed is constructed, and I will have exact measurements later today, but it is on the small side. I did the research, and took your advice not to underestimate the future growth potential of the perennial herbs. Thus, I will plant laurel bay, rosemary, and lavendar herbs elsewhere in the backyard with no concerns for space. I will leave my raised bed for smaller herbs. I have a few specific questions. 1. Oregano I read that oregano is invasive. Would you recommend planting oregano in a pot? If so, what size of pot will accommodate future growth? Would I have to plant it initially in a small pot, but transfer to a bigger one later? Should I buy one seedling package of oregano (I think there are 4 little plants per seedling package) or more for an occassional culinary use by a family of 4? 2. Thyme should be spaced 18 to 24 inches apart. No issues there from what I understand. Should I plant just one package of seedlings? Again, I will be cooking with thyme on average twice a week. 3. Sage. Based on my research, I should provide 24-36 inches for my sage plant. I don't want to underestimate the future growth. Is this space requirement enough? Should I plant just one package of seedlings? 4. Fennel. I am not familiar with this herb. Should fennel seedling be planted with 9-12 inches of space in anticipation of all future growth? Should I plant just one fennel seedling package? I have never seen one. Based on my research, no issues with dill, cilantro, parsley, and basil - not much room needed as they are annuals, and I will follow the instructions they are sold with. Once I figure out the spacing requirements for the perennial herbs, I think I will be ready to plant tomorrow. The weather is in the 60s here in Northern CA....See MoreHerb Garden Zone 5 Suggestions
Comments (23)Lovage is a tall perennial herb that has a strong celery taste and can be added to your recipes. It is a nice green backdrop at the back of the garden. Some parsley in the front. Replant parsley each year. It is a biennial, a 2 year life cycle, but I've never had it do anything the second year. Sage is a beautiful green-grey plant with fuzzy leaves. It is a perennial, wonderful with chicken and even in tea. The violet-blue flowers (color varies) are beautiful and great bumble-bee magnets. Oregano is very hardy and tolerates (actually it kind of required) very regular harvesting. It is a perennial with pink-lavender flowers. Basil, too many varieties to count and wonderful in pestos, thai cuisine, tomato sauces, fresh mozarella/tomato/basil salad and more. Easy to start in-doors and transplant out or direct sow if conditions allow. An annual, if you are wondering. Chives, a wonderful perennial onion relative. Lovely topped on eggs, baked potatoes, in salads, etc. They have lavender flowers which are edible too. Garlic is wonderful addition. They bloom white (the classic ball-like blooms of the allium family) and can be harvested for bulbs or greens. The hardneck varieties, as noted in other posts, are the most hardy. Some nasturiums. They are annual flowers but they are lovely and the flowers and leaves taste wonderful and peppery in salads. Depending on the variety, they can trail and wander a bit but harvest off what gets in the way. Tuck in a beautiful cayenne pepper. The plants are pretty and the peppers are wonderful! Beauty and usefulness! Annual, of course. Dill, cilantro (coriander), and anise are easily started from seed and are annual plants used for seed or leaf. Too many recipes to note for these! If allowing to set for seed, they can tall, especially dill. A nice rugosa rose tucked in the garden will offer up lovely tasting flower petals or hips in the fall. The rugosa is a hardy, large hip producing rose that needs little to no pruning. Some sweet violets tucked under larger plants offer some very tasty flowers as well as beauty. These come out early and will race the chives to be the first to bloom in an herb garden. Add to this some pot marigold or calendula. One of my favorites and once it starts to bloom it will do so until the killing frost in the fall. The plant can be used for culinary uses but mostly medicinal. It is a great pollinator attractor. Annual and dead simple to start from seed. I focused on some simple and easy edibles for you. FataMorgana...See MoreWhich herbs seem 'at home' in your garden?
Comments (23)The lemon balm is outcompeting just about everything else. I wish I could have lavender do well here but with clay soil, even heavily ammended, its a no go. Has anyone mentioned borage yet? Its really lovely with those pendant blue flowers and tolerant of partial shade. Others are oregano, any of the many mints, (mine are spearmint, peppermint, citrus mint,bee balm -- regular and dwarf, and catnip). I'd like catmint but i'm rapidly running out of room. Consider horseradish, chives, sage -- my tricolor was a disappoinment as well. I put in some wormwood. Its the first year for it. I hope it overwinters (it should) the silvery leaves really perk things up. As for annuals the various basils love my heat and humidity, as does the mexican bean herb epazote (be warned it kinda stinks, worse than cilantro which has self seeded like crazy). Oh yeah, dill. Self seeds all over too. I don't know if yarrow is technically an "herb" but it works with all the rest. My wish list for here: lavender, lavender and lavender. followed by rosemary (too cold) and the thymes. The humidity seems to be too much for them. Parsley also doesn't do well here consistantly. Happy planting! mmo...See More- 2 years ago
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