Herb Garden

[whitnessforhim]

Not to take away from KatieLou's thread but since we're on the subject of gardening I really could use your input.

I know absolutely nothing about gardening. Seriously, I own zero plants. One's that have been given to me I end up killing somehow but I want this to change. Right now we live in an apartment. We plan on buying a house sometime next year and at that time I hope to move on to bigger and better things, like my own garden. For now I want to start small, since my living space is small, and I want to learn how not to kill plants.

I really want to start my own little herb garden of some sort. Is this possible in an apartment where I have no ground to till? We have a nice size patio. Is it really as easy as just buying and watering? Please help!? Share your thoughts and guide me through this.

[KerryS]

If you're short on space, I HIGHLY recommend square foot gardening. You could build a 4'x2' bed and have EIGHT different crops of veggies/herbs (for example - you can do any size you want or can accommodate). You could do it all on a large table top or right on your patio floor.

http://www.squarefootgardening.com/

[whitnessforhim]

oooh very, very neat. Great information Kerry, thanks!

[KerryS]

Here is where I brag about the square foot garden beds that DH just built (these are 6'x5'):

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3632/3378095900_f02759c82f.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3620/3377261211_59ae0f905b.jpg

[KatieLou]

Whatever...lol.

I am doing myherbs out of planters and pots this year like I usally do. Next year i plan on buliding a riased herb garden along with our regular garden. I just did not want to overload us this year as we are also planting some fruit trees.

You can totally do it in pots on your patio, if you do not have room for what Kerry suggested (which is what we are doing next year Thanks for the pics Kerry!)

[Babyblue]

kerry those pics made me die a little inside when I think about what my own garden looks like lol. will there be grass around the planters, stone or gravel work?

[KerryS]

We're going to lay down weed barrier and decomposed granite (fine gravel).
Down at the bottom we're going to have a composting bin and probably a table/workspace. We want to build a firepit this fall, so we may use that area to stack wood, too.

[whitnessforhim]

I really like the square foot idea. Great pics Kerry. It looks great!

I've thought about just starting with a few herbs in pots to see if I can keep them alive first. But I really do think a small square foot garden would fit on my patio.

[KatieLou]

Go for it!

[Nipple_nectar]

Kerry~ I am a new gardener this year as well:) I have intentions of covering an area close to the size of your beds. Can you tell me the benefit of planting in beds as opposed to just planting in the ground?

Also, what type of soil do you recommend for planting, do I need to replace the soil that is out there now? We do have grass, which I intended on removing, once I figure out how much space I need.

They look like very nice beds, I will be showing DH, just in case he is looking for an interesting project;-)

[KerryS]

Kerry~ I am a new gardener this year as well:) I have intentions of covering an area close to the size of your beds. Can you tell me the benefit of planting in beds as opposed to just planting in the ground?

The benefit to the square foot beds is that you can do it in areas where the soil is poor. There is virtually no weeding necessary. It's very space efficient because you not planting in rows that you have to walk through. Since you lean over, rather than walk on, every single inch of space can be used for plants. For example, in one of those square foot spaces, I can plant NINE spinach plants.

Also, what type of soil do you recommend for planting, do I need to replace the soil that is out there now? We do have grass, which I intended on removing, once I figure out how much space I need.

For SFG, a soilless mixture is recommended. We used what's recommended in the book and on the site, which is a mixture of 1/3 peat moss, 1/3 blended compost (we bought five different types of compost), and 1/3 vermiculite.

[whitnessforhim]

For SFG, a soilless mixture is recommended. We used what's recommended in the book and on the site, which is a mixture of 1/3 peat moss, 1/3 blended compost (we bought five different types of compost), and 1/3 vermiculite.

Now I'm gonna sound really stupid but are there bags available to buy already mixed or you buy them seperately and mix them? I'm sure its not a big deal to mix them but considering that I want to start out really small I don't want to buy 3 big bags of stuff that I'll only use a small amount of.

[Nipple_nectar]

How do you know whether your soil is good or not?

[KerryS]

Now I'm gonna sound really stupid but are there bags available to buy already mixed or you buy them seperately and mix them? I'm sure its not a big deal to mix them but considering that I want to start out really small I don't want to buy 3 big bags of stuff that I'll only use a small amount of.

You need to buy them separately and mix them. You should be able to buy small bags of each at a gardening store or a Lowe's type place. If you're just doing small containers, though, I would probably just buy a big bag of potting soil, to be honest.

How do you know whether your soil is good or not?

Well, I know OUR soil is no good because it's all rock and clay. I don't know what to tell you about yours, other than to try to grow things and see what happens. :)

[SingingMom]

Even poor soil improves over time with good management. Ours was kind of sterile and sandy. Six or seven years later, it's rich and crawling with wormy goodness.

But container gardening is a whole nother thing. Is that what you're thinking, whitness?

Herbs are a good place to start. Many are herbs are really resilient and easy to grow. It depends on your soil, your weather, the particular conditions of your garden. But some things are usually pretty easy- like lavender, rosemary, mint (keep it in a container, it'll take over the world). Rosemary can be hard to start from seed, but very easy to grow if you buy a plant. Parsley and basil are pretty easy to start form seed, so are chives, marjoram, and tarragon.

[whitnessforhim]

But container gardening is a whole nother thing. Is that what you're thinking, whitness?

Herbs are a good place to start. Many are herbs are really resilient and easy to grow. It depends on your soil, your weather, the particular conditions of your garden. But some things are usually pretty easy- like lavender, rosemary, mint (keep it in a container, it'll take over the world). Rosemary can be hard to start from seed, but very easy to grow if you buy a plant. Parsley and basil are pretty easy to start form seed, so are chives, marjoram, and tarragon.

Yes, that is pretty much what I'm thinking just for starts or while we are in this apartment. My first thoughts are to buy those over hanging pots to hang over the balcany rail (We have two dogs who frequent the patio and I don't want them chomping on my herbs). Would those work well for herbs? I'm probably going to buy the plant instead of starting with seeds. I'm thinking of starting with basil, parsley and cilantro which are the main herbs I tend to use. I've read that basil and parsley are fairly easy to grow. What about cilantro? Also, if I am just using pots could I just use a simple potting soil? Or would I still need that blend?

[KerryS]

Potting soil would work fine for containers.

[SingingMom]

If you're using pots, potting soil is the way to go.

Hanging pots are fine. You'll have to watch them to make sure they don't dry out, and if it's going to freeze, you'll need to bring them in (I have no idea what zone you live in.) Or fry, which is more of an issue where I live. Containers are hard for us because we get summertime temps over 100 degrees.

Cilantro should be perfectly fine, and is pretty easy to start from seed. If it were me, I'd put some trailing geraniums in pots as well, because they are also hardy and easy to grow.

[whitnessforhim]

Ok great info ladies. We're in Dallas so summers are pretty harsh here. Our balcony faces north so it doesn't get a whole lotta direct sunlight. I have no idea if that is a negative or a positive. Is it enough to cover them if it freezes? Or bringing them in is a must? Honestly, I am more concerned about the hot summer than freezes here.

Going tonight to the nusery so I'll look into the trailing geraniums. I'm excited!

[SingingMom]

Enh, try it. Maybe there will be enough sunlight. Covering may be enough for mature plants if it freezes- but frost will kill seedlings. Most herbs hail from Mediterranean climates and don't tolerate cold well, and prefer lots of sun.

But there may be enough reflected light for the plants. You never know, unless you check with a light meter or just try it.

[whitnessforhim]

I'm gonna try it. It might get much more sunlight than I think. I've never really paid attention. Thanks so much for your input...:)

[Nipple_nectar]

Start your seedlings inside, then transfer to a bed on your patio. That way, you don't have to worry about overnight temperature lows.

[QuiltyConscience]

Neat, Kerry!

[Peanut1207]

i just got motivated to plant some herbs this summer. thanks for the post!

[Sadalsuud]

Great site, Kerry!

We did something like that last summer, only we used tractor tires. I don't know if we'll do it again this year because the grasshoppers ate everything down to nubs, despite using bait. I'll just stick to container gardening. We have big windows (with deep sills inside) and get a lot of light, especially in my bedroom so I just grow my herbs and other plants inside.