Compact gardening can be a fun way to grow your herbs. Compacting containers allow you to use less space and take advantage of a number of herbs that love the sun and don’t like to be enclosed. Most container herbs like a bit of sunlight, so if you live in an apartment, finding an area that has some exposure to sunlight is good. Many apartment dwellers have balconies or other areas on their apartment building that offer direct sunlight. Container herbs love such areas.
If you are lucky enough to have a balcony or patio, you can also have a small, compact herb garden right there. Some common container herbs can be planted in pots submerged in water. Others will need to be in pots that are placed on the windowsill. Pots can be bought inexpensively at many retail stores.
A popular choice for a small, compact herb garden is Rosemary. This herb will fill your kitchen with fragrant, aromatic oils that are delightful. Rosemary will grow to about twice your size, and blooms for a full season. Other common herbs include basil, chives, dill, mint, oregano, sage, thyme, tarragon, summer savory, chervil, lemon balm and lemon grass.
Mint is a great choice for a compact herb garden because it attracts bees. You can harvest the flowers from young branches as the leaves start to open. Mint will grow quite large, so be careful not to plant it near a tree. If you are planting mint in a sunny spot, be sure to place the flowering plant against a fence, wall, post, or other structure that receives sufficient light.
Another plant that is a great choice for container gardens is fennel. Fennel is a perennial herb that likes full sun but can tolerate partial shade. Fennel tends to grow compactly. Most gardeners keep about one-third of a pound of fennel in containers. Fennel, like mint, attracts bees so be sure to place flowering plants near other flowering herbs.
Both Rosemary and basil are perennials. Both of these herbs can be planted in any month of the year as long as they receive full sunlight. If you live in an area where neither herb receives full sun, consider growing them indoors under window ledges or over pots filled with soil. In addition to flowers, Rosemary and basil also attract bees so be sure to plant them near other flowering herbs such as mint and chervil. Rosemary and basil are a good choice for a compact herb garden because they each have attractive foliage.
When choosing what herbs to use for your compac ht planters, be sure to choose ones that are readily available. Mint and cloves are two examples of herbs that are rarely sold in stores but easily found when you search the internet. Both of these herbs are used in cooking, although only Rosemary is often seen outside as it is not very appetizing. Both mint and cloves can be frozen or dried for storage and both taste great when preserved in either manner. A compact herb garden pallet made from wood planks is a great way to include several different kinds of herbs together because they will surely complement each other.
Garlic is one of the most popular herbs grown indoors. In addition to its versatility as a staple in a number of cuisines, it also offers a host of health benefits. Garlic is high in vitamin C, which helps reduce the formation of clots and strengthens the heart. A compact garden of Rosemary and garlic promotes digestive functions, relieves colds and flu symptoms, and is excellent for promoting a healthy scalp. These are just a few examples of how combining herbs in the form of compac the planters will be beneficial to your indoor garden.