Growing Herbs in Containers

 

If you want to start food gardening, herbs are the best way to begin. They tend to be less picky than vegetables, and there are a wide range of choices depending on your moisture and sun conditions. Many of them also do well in containers. 

All herbs should do well in a garden bed except mint, which should only be planted in containers. Why? Mint is rather invasive and takes over the entire garden if not contained. That said, mint tolerates more conditions than most herbs, including some shade.

Rosemary, on the other hand, can be started in a container, but will eventually need to be planted in-ground. Most forms become large bushes if planted in a sunny place.  

Mint and rosemary are perennials which will come up year after year. Other herbal perennials that do well both in containers and planted in a garden bed are chives, sage, and thyme. Sage and thyme both like drier conditions and work well together as the filler and spiller in a container. Chives like more water.  

When planting your containers:

Select an appropriately-sized planter for the amount of herbs you'll be planting.

Try to keep a container near the kitchen door so it's easy just to go out and snip whatever you need. 

Fill your containers with good potting soil.

Start with small plants rather than seeds.

Water appropriately for the herbs in your container. It's a good idea to keep the tags they come with as a reminder for how to care for them.

Harvest throughout the growing season and before they flower. They'll lose their flavor when they flower. 

You can mix herbs with other vegetables, shrubs and even flowers to make decorative containers. Make sure that the water and light requirements of everything in the container are the same, though. 

 

 Gardening tip:  Use coffee grounds to fertilize plants that like acidic soil. (Azaleas, rhododendrons, blueberries.) Coffee grounds contain nitrogen and phosphorus which plants need, plus the grounds help deter pests. For best results mix with dried leaves. 

I didn't see last month's IWSG question, but since I've been visiting your blogs, I have it. What is my biggest fear as a writer?  Hmmm. Spending more on marketing than I make on royalties and never seeing the results of all my marketing efforts. What about you? What's your biggest fear as a writer?

Biltmore Historic Gardens

 

Located in Ashville, North Carolina, Biltmore was built in 1888 by American Art Collector, George Biltmore. He was a member of the famous Biltmore family who amassed a fortune through steamboats, railroads, and other business ventures. The 250-room mansion is the largest privately owned home in the United States. Biltmore hired famous landscape designer, Frederick Law Olmsted to design the 8000-acre garden that surrounds the mansion.

You can begin your garden tour at the library terrace where 100-year-old wisteria and trumpet creeper flowers add a splash of color to the surroundings. Enjoy the breathtaking views of the Blue Ridge Mountains and the estate's vast acreage. 

 Moving on to the Italian garden, exotic water lilies, tropical plants, and koi fish provide an elegant and symmetrical example of aquatic gardening.

Winding paths lead to the 15-acre azalea garden which in the spring pops with vibrant pink and red colors. 

The walled garden is the most well-known, with geometric designs of changing colors and textures, reflecting the flora of each of the four seasons. Other gardens include the rose garden, butterfly garden, and conservatory. 

Admission, while a pricey $99 per person, includes entry into both the home and gardens. Hours are daily from 9-5. If you can do it, this is a place to see at least once in your lifetime. 

Gardening tip: Use Epsom Salt to take care of house plants. Use 2 tablespoons per gallon of water and feed plants monthly. Epsom salt is magnesium sulfate. It helps seeds germinate, plants grow fuller, produce more flowers, and keeps slugs away.