If there is one thing I’ve learned over the years it’s some herbs grow better in container gardens than others.
This year I started thyme from seed and take a look at it now. I’ll be harvesting it pretty soon to dehydrate to use later this winter in soups and savory dishes. I’m not sure what the going rate for a container of thyme is these days, but I have a feeling a packet of seeds is a whole lot less.
Oregano. When we moved here 5 years ago one of the plants I brought from my previous garden was a small clump of oregano. Since moving here I’ve transplanted it twice and have come to the conclusion that like mint, you pretty much can’t kill oregano. It thrives anywhere!
Parsley. This too was started from seed earlier this spring and it is growing like crazy. Fresh parsley is so abundant in the stores that I kind of feel silly growing it. But the reason I do is because there are so many dishes that call for it and I have no problem substituting dried parsley for fresh in recipes during the off season.
Rosemary. It rocks! I transplanted a few sprigs to containers over the winter and at first I thought I was going to lose them. Luckily the rosemary sprung back to life and is thriving once again.
I also started rosemary from seed in January of this year and transplanted some of it to the container as well. So far so good.
Ahhh Purple sage. Ain’t she pretty. Not only do I love the rich colors of purple sage, but the texture of the plant is pretty awesome too. Nice and fuzzy {it reminds me of lambs ear a wee bit}. In my opinion, sage is a complete must for Thanksgiving stuffing and you can call me a total weirdo, but that’s what I like to grow it for. Thanksgiving.
Sure I’ll use it in a recipe here and there, but Thanksgiving dinner is pretty much why I grow it.
Container gardens rule! Especially when it comes to controlling herbs from spreading.
How about you? What do you think are the best herbs for a container garden?
~Mavis
Catherine says
I will plant mint only in containers since it will totally take over anywhere else. I also really like thyme because as it grows, it will spill over – – so pretty!
Wynne says
Sage is terrific on roasted winter squash and sweet potatoes, if you need another use. I used to be a Thanksgivinger with sage, too, but once I started growing it I found more uses. Do you have tarragon? That’s one I love to have around, and in the ground, it overwinters here (VA 7).
Barbee near Dallas says
Basil.
Ok basil is more of a vegetable than an herb but really, there are ooodles a basil varieties that can be container grown.
I, myself, am a garlic grower. And that means: basil. The two of those paired are magical. Had some tonight, Jan 18, 2014.
Yup. Last fall I took 1 lb of melted butter, 4 heads of garlic, a huge bunch of chopped basil, a small amt of olive oil and made a smashing garlic butter block. Had some garlic toast tonight. YUM
Basil.