Grow a Mini Herb Garden in a Raised Bed

One popular use for raised garden beds is growing herbs. Many herbs are perennials, and that can be a good match for a raised bed garden, as there is no need to till or turn the soil every year. Some herbs will do better than others in a raised bed, so here is a look at some considerations for growing herbs in a raised garden bed.

Title: Three Keys to Growing a Mini Herb Garden

Author: Sandi Stewart

Article: Kits abound online for mini herb gardens. Household herb farmers like the idea of a collection of herbs that stays small enough to sit on the windowsill. The reality is that many herbs grow quite large if left alone. The idea of a mini herb garden is young herb plants clustered together in a small space. Whether that is a tiny planting bed in an outside garden or pots on the patio or windowsill, herbs are happy to grow in groups.

You don’t need any square footage of tillable soil to have a miniature herb garden. You can grow herbs in pots on your patio. Multiple herbs in multiple pots is one way, but think even smaller-choose one low, wide-mouthed pot and plant several herbs together in the same pot. If the herbs you choose have the same water, soil and sun requirements, they’ll be perfectly happy to share a pot. For example, chives, basil and parsley will thrive all in the same pot. Or use a strawberry jar. The individual openings can house different herbs while the tower-shape conserves space.

For growing herbs indoors, you will want smaller pots. Good lighting is essential to growing herbs inside. Windowsills can provide good light and a ledge for the pots. Gather several pots of similar size and line them up in a tray. Choose herbs that grow vertically and herbs that flow down over the sides of the pot as well as bushy herbs, for more visual appeal to the mini herb garden. The pots can match or not-your choice. To keep the garden mini, stay under 4-inch pot size. As long as the pot has a drainage hole, it can be used to grow herbs.

Single pots lined up side by side in a single layer will work or you can save space by stacking your pots. Mini herb garden kits online can include stackable, triangular pots that make a tower similar to a strawberry jar. Right on your kitchen counter in one square foot of space you can have up to fifteen fresh herbs.

Look at your windowsill and the direction it faces to guide you in which herbs to plant for an indoor mini herb garden. Heat and sun-loving herbs such as sage, thyme, rosemary, French lavender, lemon verbena, fernleaf dill, chives, basil and bay laurel will do best in a window that faces west or south.

Cuban oregano, parsley, mint, chives, and borage are examples of shade-loving herbs that will do better in a north or east-facing window. These like cooler temperatures and moister soil.

Whether grown indoors or outdoors, your mini herb garden requires a well-draining potting soil mix to thrive. You’ll want to begin with a commercial potting mix. Add either one part sand to three parts potting mix or one part perlite to two parts potting mix. Read the growing directions carefully for each herb. Many herbs like the water to drain completely away from their pot rather than sitting in a puddle in their saucer. You can place stones or other spacers between the bottom of the pot and the saucer to allow room for the water to drain clear.

If messing with potting soil is not your style, you can find kits online that will grow herbs using hydroponics. The plant seeds root in a felt-like material and the roots dangle in water infused with nutrients rather than soil. While some hydroponic growth kits fit on a tabletop, others are small enough for a windowsill. Bug-free and mess-free growing might be worth checking out.

About the author: To get more information on how to achieve the best conditions for a mini herb garden and to receive a free 10 day mini course where we share the many secrets to successful herb gardening click here.