A Rustic Herb Garden in the Country
Growing herbs is rewarding for the gardener and cook. They’re incredibly forgiving of novice gardeners, and provide the cook with an array of seasonings. Herbs are recognized as super foods packed with micronutrients, which is even more reason to include them in your diet and grow them in your garden.
This rustic herb garden makes use of raised beds set directly onto pea gravel. The gravel allows herbs to sow themselves about in a charming manner and provides a lovely crunch underfoot. Above, chives will generously seed themselves around the garden if blooms are not cut back. The blossoms, which have a delicate onion flavor, make delicious additions to salads, vegetables, fish, and grilled meats.
Herbs may have uses other than culinary. Lady’s Mantle, or Alchemilla vulgaris, is useful for skin preparations. It spills over a planter, above, softening the edges. Its foamy chartreuse flowers compliment purple, blue, and gray flowers in arrangements.
Seedling salad greens are emerging from the raised container above, while creeping phlox makes an attractive mound in the background.
Window Box & Container Herb Gardens
Herbs adapt well to window boxes and containers. Above and below, variegated sage, lemon thyme, and standard Spanish lavender mingle with with annual verbena, ivy, and sweet potato vine.
Creamy yellow, white, and purple compliments the spring light.
Lemon thyme mingles with annual flowers and vines in the container above.
The decorative wire container hosts chervil, and charming garden ornaments.
Growing Herbs
- Most herbs prefer full sun (at least 6 hours a day) and excellent drainage. Many culinary herbs are Mediterranean natives that prefer heat and sharp drainage, such as thyme, rosemary, oregano, and tarragon. Before planting herbs, choose a site where they will thrive.
- Some herbs, like chervil, chives, tarragon, and parsley, will tolerate part shade. The Brooklyn Botanic Garden has helpful information on growing herbs in shade.
- Herbs are excellent companion plants in the perennial garden. Place them among plants requiring full sun and good drainage.
- Harvest herbs for use in the winter by drying, freezing into ice cubes, or making into pestos.
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