Herb Garden

I love using fresh and fragrant herbs in my cooking, so it made sense for me to start a herb garden at home.

But growing a herb garden became more than having immediate and convenient access to fresh herbs, though that in itself gives me reason enough to do it. Tending to my windowsill garden also became a significant part of my self-care. Even more so in the winter months, when just seeing a bit of greenery brightens my mood. And during lockdown, when it just felt good to be able to focus on, and be amazed by, something so simple. They bloomed during lockdown!

Tending to my herbs, watching them grow, and enjoying their perfume and taste soothes me. Not only are their needs an ongoing reminder to take care of my own needs. Gardening also highlights some valuable lessons… That growth requires time and patience… That consistent effort often reaps the best rewards… And that it’s often noticing the simple things that brings a sense of peace and contentment.

So here I am, showcasing my herb garden, because I think it deserves to get a bit of attention for all the good it’s done me! And I advocate herb gardening to anyone and everyone! It’s simple, easy, affordable and requires very little effort, time or space.

Introducing the herbs…

I started, a few years ago, with mint, chives, basil, parsley, coriander, rosemary, thyme and oregano. I purchased most of these as potted herbs from the supermarket. Aside from the mint, I put them all together in a plastic planter. The mint I kept separate, because mint is a wildly invasive herb, which quickly fills any container with its roots, suffocating other plants.

The others did alright together, though the thyme died for no apparent reason. I found out later that, just like people, some herbs like to hang out together, while others don’t.

So when I moved house and got more herbs to replenish and expand my windowsill garden, I researched plant companions to make sure that my herbs would be happy with their housemates.

At the most basic level, plant companioning is about potting plants that enjoy similar growing conditions together. Think of it this way, if you like a toasty home, it would be a pain to have to share it with someone who likes it cool.

For herbs, this means putting herbs that like drier soil together, like Mediterranean herbs; rosemary, sage, oregano, marjoram, and thyme for instance.

And herbs that like more frequent watering, which seems to be most other herbs.

Plant companions can also help each other grow by warding off certain pests. Different beasties are attracted to different herbs, so planting them next to something the beasties don’t like can protect them to some extent. Chives are particularly good for this, as most pests don’t particularly like anything in the onion family.

Apparently plant companioning can also help plants grow faster and tastier, though the specifics of how is beyond me. I believe it though! I’m growing some pepper plants from seed (from store-bought chillies and peppers that I ate!). Those that I put in trays next to chives and other companion herbs (pictured below on the right) are over twice the size of those that are in a pot on their own (below on the left)!

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I’ve moved, and again taken it as an opportunity to rethink and expand my herb garden.

My parent’s garden is covered in wild thyme, so I collected some of that, as well as a patch of marjoram. I took cuttings from their rosemary shrub, and mint too, and divided some chive bulbs. I’m all for finding free plants if possible, and most herbs are easy to grow from cuttings.

I planted some ginger and lemongrass – just the stuff you get from the shop. The lemon grass is sprouting nicely and the ginger hopefully will soon. I’ve put them in a planter with coriander, Thai red chillies and spring onions, to keep with the theme.

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I’m trying out growing a few things from seed. This really requires a lot of patience, and more attention and care that cuttings or plants need. Though I did leave my pepper seedlings for around 2 weeks, having given up on them, only to find that they sprouted despite (or maybe thanks to) being left to dry out. As well as the peppers and chillies, I’m growing tomatoes, coriander, parsley, and dill from seed. It’s slow going, but I’ve got to admit, there’s satisfaction in witnessing something grow from a tiny little seed into a plant. I’ll get even more satisfaction when they’re big enough to harvest.

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I’m also a big fan of herbal tea, so I’ve started growing, harvesting, and drying some herbs for tea; mint, lemon verbena and lemon thyme. I’m trying to grow chamomile from seed, but my first lot of seedlings were devastated by fungal gnats, so I’m trying again.

Herb Care

For the most part, I find the herb garden very easy to maintain. Most of my herbs became established in their containers quite quickly. And once established, they only really need watering once a week – unless it’s a hot summer and they’re in direct sunlight, in which case it’s more like daily.

I check my herbs most days. I don’t think it’s essential, but it makes it more likely for me to spot something going wrong early. I’ve read that it’s good to brush herbs gently with your hand to help with air circulation – it also releases their fragrance which is nice! I check them for pests too. Basil in particular seems to be very popular. I had chunky green caterpillars munch through a good portion of my basil and mint this year! But to be fair, there’s usually plenty left for me even with little beasties pinching some, so long as I’m fairly quick with removing them when I find them living there.

I bring my herbs in for the winter so they can continue to grow happily. They slow down a bit, what with the reduced sunlight, but can still be harvested and enjoyed. They’re next to the window to get maximum sunlight and I turn them when I notice them leaning too far towards the window.

Watch this space for more photos of the herb garden’s progress.