Herb garden...
a tasteful gift for a practical mom!
The ephemeral beauty of a bunch of cut flowers is a traditional Mother's Day gift, but to an ever-practical mom, it may smack of wastefulness. Always frugal, she culls out shriveling flowers one by one, day after day, making the bouquet last as long as possible. Finally, all that's left is a vase and a bare spot on the table.
This year, create a gift with better symbolism and lasting value. A potted herb garden improves over summer, offering flavor, convenience and beauty.
A sunny start: Most homes don't have a handy garden site directly outside the kitchen. Container gardens, on the other hand, can be placed almost anywhere, as long as there are at least six hours of full sun. Plus, potting mix is easier to work in than native soils, and containers can be more accessible to moms in wheelchairs or walkers. At the end of the season, containers can be brought into a sheltered space, so non-hardy herbs like rosemary and scented geraniums can survive winter. Set in full sun during spring, herbs grow quickly. As hot summer begins, move containers to a site with afternoon shade, so herbs stay productive.
Picking a planter: First, find a fairly large container and buy good quality potting mix. Be sure the pot will drain. Newer plastic pots are lightweight but sturdy with hollow or foam-filled walls that help insulate roots. Unglazed ceramic pots will keep root systems cool as water evaporates through the porous walls, but the potting mix will dry quickly. Glazed ceramics and thin-walled plastic pots should be light in color to prevent roots from overheating on the sunny side of the pot.
How to plant: Most herbs grow well in containers, as long as there is enough potting media in the pot.
Generally, each herb plant requires 1 gallon of potting media. A typical 12-inch diameter pot holds about 3 1/2 gallons of potting mix, so it can carry three or four herb plants. A 16-inch pot holds about 5 1/2 gallons mix, so you can plant five or six herbs in it. Cool-season annuals like lettuce or pansies may be included in the initial planting, but they should be removed or harvested as summer heat builds and the herbs' root systems grow larger.
What to plant: Choose herbs that will fit nicely in containers. Many varieties of thyme, basil, oregano, chives, lemon grass, and mints look nice together. Edible flowers such as nasturtium and calendula can add color accent. Avoid toxic plants in edible gardens.
Prepare for winter: At the end of the season, make sure no pests are in the pot or on the plants and then put the container in the basement near a south- facing window. Keep the temperature low so growth is slow. Water infrequently but don't let the plants dry up.
The ephemeral beauty of a bunch of cut flowers is a traditional Mother's Day gift, but to an ever-practical mom, it may smack of wastefulness. Always frugal, she culls out shriveling flowers one by one, day after day, making the bouquet last as long as possible. Finally, all that's left is a vase and a bare spot on the table.
This year, create a gift with better symbolism and lasting value. A potted herb garden improves over summer, offering flavor, convenience and beauty.
A sunny start: Most homes don't have a handy garden site directly outside the kitchen. Container gardens, on the other hand, can be placed almost anywhere, as long as there are at least six hours of full sun. Plus, potting mix is easier to work in than native soils, and containers can be more accessible to moms in wheelchairs or walkers. At the end of the season, containers can be brought into a sheltered space, so non-hardy herbs like rosemary and scented geraniums can survive winter. Set in full sun during spring, herbs grow quickly. As hot summer begins, move containers to a site with afternoon shade, so herbs stay productive.
Picking a planter: First, find a fairly large container and buy good quality potting mix. Be sure the pot will drain. Newer plastic pots are lightweight but sturdy with hollow or foam-filled walls that help insulate roots. Unglazed ceramic pots will keep root systems cool as water evaporates through the porous walls, but the potting mix will dry quickly. Glazed ceramics and thin-walled plastic pots should be light in color to prevent roots from overheating on the sunny side of the pot.
How to plant: Most herbs grow well in containers, as long as there is enough potting media in the pot.
Generally, each herb plant requires 1 gallon of potting media. A typical 12-inch diameter pot holds about 3 1/2 gallons of potting mix, so it can carry three or four herb plants. A 16-inch pot holds about 5 1/2 gallons mix, so you can plant five or six herbs in it. Cool-season annuals like lettuce or pansies may be included in the initial planting, but they should be removed or harvested as summer heat builds and the herbs' root systems grow larger.
What to plant: Choose herbs that will fit nicely in containers. Many varieties of thyme, basil, oregano, chives, lemon grass, and mints look nice together. Edible flowers such as nasturtium and calendula can add color accent. Avoid toxic plants in edible gardens.
Prepare for winter: At the end of the season, make sure no pests are in the pot or on the plants and then put the container in the basement near a south- facing window. Keep the temperature low so growth is slow. Water infrequently but don't let the plants dry up.
posted by blogger at
Wednesday, May 04, 2005
