HERBS IN HANGING PLANTERS
Many herbs are great in hanging baskets: thyme, tarragon, prostrate
rosemary, parsley, mint and basil are some of our favorites.
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HOW TO GROW HERBS IN HANGING PLANTERS
Growing a herb garden can seem a little daunting and like it may take
up a lot of space – well the answer to this is both yes and no. Herb
garden can be as big or as small as you would - in fact it is amazing
what you can grow in small spaces using containers and planters. There
is a way that even the smallest, cramped quarters that anyone can reap
the benefits of having an herb garden – the solution growing herbs in
hanging baskets and planters.
.jpg) SELECTING
YOU’RE HANGING PLANTER
First of all, you are going to need some hanging planters or baskets.
A good size for this purpose is 12 inches deep and 14 to 24 inches
wide.
Wire baskets work best and are the most decorative. Line the basket
with sphagnum moss, coco-fiber or any other organic material. Next find
a sturdy location sheltered from the wind to hang the baskets. I have
found that hanging the baskets tiered on top of one another works best
because after you water the top plant, the water will drip down to the
next plant and so on, keeping the plants well hydrated. Now you are
ready to start planting! Our sister website
www.gardensquirrel.com
features an amazing selection of well priced hanging baskets and
planters. Some are illustrated on these pages.
CHOOSING YOUR PLANTS
 When
choosing your herbs, decide what you will be using the herbs for and
pick herbs that you will use. Pretty much any herb will grow well in a
basket except herbs that tend to grow tall or are heavy. Thyme, spicy
globe, basil, oregano, lemon balm, mint and savory are great choices for
a hanging basket. To make your baskets look more colorful and
appealing to the eye, you can also plant some vegetables with your herbs
and you may even consider adding in edible flowers for effect.
Violas/Pansies and Nasturtiums are some of my favorites edible herb
flowers.
GROWING TIPS
Herbs in hanging baskets have many of the same requirements as herbs
that grow in a garden. Here are some of the things your herbs will need
to grow healthy:
* Your plants will need a rich high nutrient soil – so don’t skimp on
the potting mix
* Your plants need food – so add a slow release fertilizer to the soil
prior to planting
* Your plants will need to be watered regularly
* Your plants will need enough sunlight. You should turn the baskets 1/4
turn each week.
* Your plants will need to be harvested on time – often it is the young
growth that has all the flavor – so harvest your herbs regularly , even
if it means drying or freezing them.
TIP: Basil can easily be frozen by placing small spring in water in a
plastic ice cube tray – once set them take them out place them in a
plastic bag and add them when cooking tomato dishes – the ice will melt
and the basil will release all its flavor CHOOSING HERBS FOR HANGING
BASKETS
.jpg) Herbs
that do not grow tall are best for a hanging planters and hanging
baskets.
Thyme is an excellent choice. Spicy globe basil, oregano, and savory
are also great choices for a hanging basket. Lemon balm and chocolate
mint look lovely mixed together in hanging basket and hanging planters.
Greek basil, chicory, chives, garlic, lemon balm, marjoram, oregano,
parsley, radicchio, rocket, salad burnet are also great choices. Mints
are excellent too and are ideal to be grown in a hanging basket because
if grown in the garden they can become invasive. ADD COLORFUL
FLOWERING HERBS TO YOUR HANGING PLANTER
To add color and visual interest to your herbal basket you can
include geraniums, petunias, viola, nasturtiums or various other herbs
with pretty flowers.
MORE ON SOME OF OUR FAVORITE HERBS FOR HANGING
PLANTERS
BASIL IN HANGING PLANTERS
Hanging baskets and hanging planters are a great way to grow basil
even if you have enough outdoor space to be able to plant it in the
ground.
In fact, I think hanging baskets are actually a better way to grow
basil than putting it in the soil; they keep it off the ground and stop
it being eaten by slugs. We hang ours on the little terrace outside
our kitchen door - that way it's easy to pick all through the summer
when we need it to go with our tomato salads!
More on Basil in Hanging Planters
MINT IN HANGING PLANTERS
Mint can be rampant – quickly overtaking the space it was planted in
and spreading rapidly – often over taking other plants in the process.
Hanging planters and hanging baskets are great for mint – they keep it
contained and offer the benefit or fragrance when you brush by them.
There is a wondrous variety of mints available and they can easily be
grown from seed.
One of the “new comers” gain more and more popularity Is Apple Mint:
Mentha Suaveolens (Variegata) Hardy Perennial
More on Mint in Hanging Baskets
APPLE MINT
Apple Mint is a particularly attractive variegated Mint with a
wonderful pineapple scent. A delightful, full bodied but delicate mint
that compliments coffee and desserts.
We love this mint planted in hanging baskets, tubs, patios and tubs
where its cascading habit gives a really beautiful uplifting aroma.
Very easy to grow and making themselves at home in both full shade (even
on a North facing wall) or full sun with very little maintenance
required.
This amazing mint is used to flavor all sorts of dishes and its
delicate flavor is excellent when used to flavor rice and couscous
dishes. Applemint makes the most delicious apple mint jelly and
vinegars which work well with the traditional favorite of lamb but
equally as good with summer salads.
Even an experienced gardener can find a collection of mints
bewildering. They come in all shapes, sizes and flavors. An easy way to
classify them is to divide them by the essential oil they contain. The
two main categories are the menthol containing peppermints and the
carvone scented spearmints. The third category is the always useful and
popular "other".
More on Mints in Hanging Planters THYME IN HANGING PLANTERS
Thyme is a wonderful herb to have in hanging planters and in hanging
baskets – it low growth habit makes it ideal for side planting or when
planted close to the edge of our hanging basket where it can tumble and
spill down the sides. From rich forest greens to variegated to an
almost lemon yellow the range of thymes never ceases to amaze me.
Using fresh thyme is one way to add character to poultry and meat
dishes. To use, rinse off and pat dry. Remove the leaves or use whole.
The leaves are mostly used for dishes where the thyme will be kept in
the dish and not removed, like stews, soups, and sauces and baked
dishes. Thyme that is kept on the sprig is great for baked chicken and
whole roasts, where you can remove the entire sprig from the dish at the
end of cooking. Fresh thyme sprigs are great for cooking items with long
cooking times. More on Thyme in
Hanging Planters ROSEMARY IN HANGING PLANTERS
.jpg) Prostrate
or "trailing rosemary" grows well in hanging planters.
Rosemary is one of the great culinary herbs for the garden, and the
trailing cultivar 'Prostratus' has the added appeal of a unique habit
that is ideal for hanging planters, edging and rock gardens.
Throughout the year, this Mediterranean native has bright green to
gray green needle-like leaves, which are potently fragrant from afar. In
late fall through spring, small but pretty edible lavender-blue flowers
cover the plants. Keep your hanging planter of rosemary trimmed for a
more lush appearance. Prune the plant(s) after flowering. In the summer,
fertilize your hanging planter after the flowers have appeared.
You can over winter your hanging planter or hanging basket of
rosemary too – just bring your planter indoors in the winter – water
thoroughly 1-2 times weekly and keep it in a place where it gets at
least 5 hours of good sunlight.
More on Rosemary in Hanging
Planters
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