Gardening
Planting success: 5 tips to help your herbs thrive
Photography by Daniel Harrison Image by: Photography by Daniel Harrison
Gardening
Planting success: 5 tips to help your herbs thrive
Keep it simple
Planning on using an herb, such as fragrant lavender, for a decorative flowerbed border? Growing from seed is less expensive when looking to cover a large area. Otherwise, it's much easier and faster to purchase plants, says Westcott-Gratton.
Seek sunlight
Most herbs require full sun. "Direct sunlight beating down on the leaves makes the plant produce oils that give the flavour. That's why herbs don't produce as strong a taste when grown inside on windowsills," says Westcott-Gratton.
Mint condition
Other than mint, which is best planted only in pots (as it can take over entire flowerbeds), most herbs grow equally as well in pots or beds. Westcott-Gratton recommends combining sand or cactus mix (a fast-draining potting soil available at most nurseries) with potting soil for container-grown herbs.
Dry idea
"Herbs prefer to be on the dry side," says Westcott-Gratton. "Stick your finger in the top centimetre or so of the soil; if it's moist, leave it alone." Soil dries more rapidly in small pots, so consider grouping herbs in a large container to save on watering time.
Steer clear
In bright sun, most herbs play well with others. Avoid planting them in beds near black walnut trees which give off a substance called juglone that stunts the growth of surrounding plants.
Add one—or all—of these homegrown healthy greens to your herb collection.
Planning on using an herb, such as fragrant lavender, for a decorative flowerbed border? Growing from seed is less expensive when looking to cover a large area. Otherwise, it's much easier and faster to purchase plants, says Westcott-Gratton.
Seek sunlight
Most herbs require full sun. "Direct sunlight beating down on the leaves makes the plant produce oils that give the flavour. That's why herbs don't produce as strong a taste when grown inside on windowsills," says Westcott-Gratton.
Mint condition
Other than mint, which is best planted only in pots (as it can take over entire flowerbeds), most herbs grow equally as well in pots or beds. Westcott-Gratton recommends combining sand or cactus mix (a fast-draining potting soil available at most nurseries) with potting soil for container-grown herbs.
Dry idea
"Herbs prefer to be on the dry side," says Westcott-Gratton. "Stick your finger in the top centimetre or so of the soil; if it's moist, leave it alone." Soil dries more rapidly in small pots, so consider grouping herbs in a large container to save on watering time.
Steer clear
In bright sun, most herbs play well with others. Avoid planting them in beds near black walnut trees which give off a substance called juglone that stunts the growth of surrounding plants.
Add one—or all—of these homegrown healthy greens to your herb collection.
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