We ran a survey and asked our knowledgeable customers to submit their top tips for a successful herb garden. Some have been featured in our catalogues but we thought we would publish these online to allow all growers to benefit from their advice...
We must add that we haven't tried every part of the hints and tips below, but it may offer some insights to how other D.T Brown's growers approach creating a productive kitchen herb garden!
- Plant in threes, starting with small seedlings that will adjust to your soil; don't overwater (most need drier conditions); grow what you like to use & eat. I recommend confining them to one bed of their own and keep mints separate (or in containers) - they really are thugs!
- Dry, warm, gritty, soil. Avoid wet and cold. Always a great accompaniment to decent cooking. Use French Parsley, Lemon Thyme, Tarragon, Coriander, Basil, (a must with tomatoes!)
- I plant my herbs in pots, according to the growing conditions each herb thrives in. It also means I can move them in and out of the sun, provide water and feed if needed.
- Lots of sun, poor soil and a mix of annuals and perennials. Some of my best herbs are the ones I use as edging plants in flower beds.
- Grow in groups and harvest regularly water when plants are establishing. Keep them in good order by restricting especially mint which are thugs if not in pots. Replace old and straggly plants by taking cuttings and freshen them up.
- Must keep picking (even if I don't use) otherwise growth goes too woody.
- Set aside a special bed - different herbs have different requirements and need more care than you'd think at different times in the season - grow most herbs in pots for an easier life, esp. mints, coriander, dill, caraway, parsley, French Tarragon and chervil.
- Grow lots of different herbs. For those that are perennial split them each year to keep them fresh. Plant them near the kitchen door so they are easy to reach.
- I grow my herbs in separate pots keeping some just outside the back door. This allows you to change over pots when one pot is used up. Also, if growing from seed stagger the sowing time to prevent a glut. Some herbs are annuals, some are perennials. Check up on the ones that will be useful to you. A sunny spot is always good. Plant mint in a bucket with holes in the bottom if planting into the ground, it can be a thug with other herbs.
