My herb garden: basil, sage, thyme & chamomile
I have been enthralled in the world of container gardening. I am in my second year of gardening, trying to put to good use the limited space I have right now on my back patio deck. I have had failures and successes…but it definitely requires some perseverance and patience. Gardening is such a rewarding experience. Being out in nature, digging in the dirt, watering, and seeing food growing for our nourishment is delightful. I also love watering the garden with my little Karis. She loves helping me pour the watering can into the pots. What a fun way to get her involved in valuing the production of our own food. I wanted to share a few pictures of my garden to date with a few resources I have found very helpful this year.
Topsy Turvy Tomato Plant
Hanging Tomatoes - So far I am delighted to see the success of my Topsy Turvy hanging tomato plant. It is growing an abundance of cherry tomatoes right now. I can’t wait to enjoy them! My tips: water daily as it is quickly evaporates compared to a potted plant. Cut the bottom off a plastic milk jug and puncture small holes in it. Place in the top of the turvy to allow for slow drainage when watering. Keep in full sun. Use water retaining granules.
What else is in my garden this year? Several varieties of lettuce, a herb garden, stevia, cucumber, and three varieties of pepper plants.
Cucumber & Pepper Plants
Why I love container gardening?
1. You rarely have to deal with various pests. In my experience, I have not had a single bug problem to deal with.
2. You rarely have to do any weeding!
3. Your crops are nicely contained and will not take over. Since some crops can easily dominate your fields, container gardening is nicely self-contained. The crops can only grow as big as the container you supply them for their abode.
A few books that I have found extremely beneficial for container gardening:
The Bountiful Container – this resource is the definitive guide on container gardening. It gives detailed instructions on how to grow all varieties of vegetables and flowers in containers. It lacks good pictures or very clear planting instructions, but offers ongoing tips for successful gardening in pots.
Organic Crops in Pots - this book is awesome! It provides you with easy step by step pictorial instructions on how to plant many different varieties of vegetables in containers. It details what are the best crops to grow in pots with beautiful pictures. This is the best book I have found for beginners that guides you through the potting process so simply. I also love how the author supplies you with creative container ideas. You don’t have to invest in expensive containers. Find old wine barrels, washtubs, baskets, olive oil metal jars, metal buckets, and even canvas bags to do your planting.
Your Backyard Herb Garden: A Gardener’s Guide to Growing Over 50 Herbs Plus How to Use Them in Cooking, Crafts, Companion Planting and More by Miranda Smith – a very helpful guide for growing herbs! This book describes growing herbs both in the ground or containers. I love the helpful pictures and specific details for growing over 50 herbs and their nutritional and culinary benefits. Also includes details on preparing herbal vinegars and teas for health and healing. Love this book!
For more ideas and tips for gardening in small spaces, visit here.
Do you have a container garden? What tips do you have to share?
I used to build my own earth box type containers but got tired of the constant watering! Please take a look at my system I invented! You can construct the containers in about 20 seconds! I had fantastic results! Just thought I would share this with you! Larry
How To Build A Self Watering Rain Gutter Grow System!!!!
http://www.youtube.com/user/larrylhall?feature=guide
I have been wanting to start an herb garden for a long time. I haven’t found a good “herb garden book” at the library so thanks for the recommendation. That’s going on my wish list so I can read up and finally start one next year!
I only did some herbs and a roma tomatoe in pots this year, but I want to expand my pot garden next year. I’ve seen some posts that have encouraged me to try more things in pots. I love pot gardening for all the reasons you stated. Thanks for the book recommendations. Linda
I have a container garden and I love it! Last summer, I grew a tomato plant, pepper plant, basil, rosemary, parsley, nasturtium, and a geranium. Unfortunately, the tomato plant didn’t do very well. My porch has a roof and only gets sun part of the day. The tomatoes kept getting blossom end rot, and then the plant began shriveling and dying. Ugh. The pepper plant only yielded tiny peppers. I don’t know if it’s because of the lighting situation or if it was too hot. I might check out some of those books.
This year, we were supposed to move this summer, but our move keeps getting delayed. So I only ended up growing rosemary (it wintered over since we have mild winters), basil, the same geranium plant, and a window box (on the porch) of Swiss chard. If I’d known we were going to be here this long, I would have tried growing a tomato and pepper or some other plants again.
I’ll have to check out the resources you mentioned! I hope that our next apartment will have some place that I can at least have a container garden, if not a “real” in-ground garden.
This is very true. I have had so many people lament to me about not having any space to garden and I happily point out container gardening! Even someone in an apartment with a balcony can do it! Good post!
My herbs all died but I’m going to try again. I won’t give up.
I have a tomato plant, a pepper plant, 2 basil plants, 1 parsley, and some marigolds growing in a container on my porch. It is so easy to take care of and I love the sight and smell of fresh herbs and veggies growing right on my porch!
My advice would be to label all your plants. I thought my pepper plant was basil and tried to eat some of the leaves! Oops! Also, if you are growing tomatoes anyway, consider growing some basil as well. It is very easy to grow, especially if you buy seedlings that have already been started (you can get them at any grocery store), and basil and tomato are so wonderful together, you really don’t want to have one without the other. Now if only there were a way to plant Parmesan cheese…
Aren’t fresh herbs the best! I make the best blackberry sage tea. I buy blackberry tea from Trader Joe’s and add my own sage. It is delicious!
I just moved and started a new container garden and I am having pesky bugs eating off my basil. I was thinking of spraying soap nuts liquid on it since it is a natural insect repellent. Do you think that might work?
Hmm…interesting idea. Give it a try and let me know how it goes! Or try diluted vinegar. That should help!