5 Tips for Growing Herbs in Containers

Top 5 Tips for Growing Herbs in Containers

Fresh herbs equal full and fragrant flavor, launching your dinners, desserts, and drinks to new heights of deliciousness and winning your restaurant those all-important five-star reviews. But what if you haven't got the space to cultivate a garden? Then pots and planters are the answer.

Containers enable you to grow your own produce even if your establishment is in the heart of the city center, surrounded by freeways and tower blocks. They help you reduce the carbon footprint of your meals and add a beautiful botanical element to your decor. Plus, herbs are incredibly robust and need very little maintenance to thrive. With so many varieties to choose from, there's a species to suit every environment, from sun-baked patios to dimly-lit interiors. To ensure they flourish, read on to discover our five failsafe tips for growing herbs in containers.

1. Choose Containers Wisely

To help you decide which containers to pick for your urban herb garden, consider the number of plants you're hoping to grow in each pot. Also consider the height you expect them to reach, the length of their roots, and where you plan to position them. Fiberglass planters are a popular choice because their light weight makes them a breeze to maneuver, so that you can give your herbs the best possible growing conditions throughout the year. They also come in a wide range of designs and colors, including textured stone and metallic finishes.

A good rule of thumb is to opt for a pot that's at least a third as tall as the mature plant and half or three-quarters of its width to keep greenery upright and allow enough room for roots to spread out. Large planters will also offer your herbs better insulation from the cold and provide a barrier against weeds, pests, and diseases.

2. Make Your Own Potting Mix

Using ordinary garden soil is one of the biggest mistakes someone can make when growing herbs in a container, as despite being rich in nutrients, it's far too dense. Instead, give your foliage the healthiest start by making your own potting mix — there's plenty of recipes online, and it's surprisingly simple to do. Remember never to use chemical-based fertilizers, though, as they can affect the taste of your herbs.

3. Find Their Perfect Partners

Planting different herbs together in one large planter is a great way to make the most of your container garden. However, it's essential you pair plants based on their growing requirements — for example, lavender, thyme, and rosemary love full sun and dry conditions. At the same time, parsley and chives are happiest in the shade and need regular watering.

4. Water Your Herbs Deeply

As mentioned above, how often you water your herbs depends on the species, along with your restaurant's location and the time of year. Those with woodier stems, such as sage and borage, tend to be the most drought-tolerant, so let their soil dry out between waterings. On the other hand, leafy herbs like parsley and basil need consistent moisture, but don't let this put you off. Simply grow these plants in self-watering planters, and they'll take care of themselves.

Another handy pointer to keep your herbs in mint condition is to check that the containers you've chosen have adequate drainage before planting. Always water the soil instead of the leaves to avoid root rot and fungal infections.

5. Take Care When Harvesting

While you might think this is the easiest step in the process, there are a few things to keep in mind when harvesting herbs. Firstly, remove foliage from the outside to allow new leaves to grow in the center, and don't snip off more than a third of the plant at one time as it needs time to recover. Secondly, pinching leggy stems and deadheading fading flowers will encourage more blooms and bushier regrowth. Lastly, while drying herbs is the traditional way to a crop, freezing them in bags or adding them chopped with a little oil in an ice tray preserves their piquancy better and for longer.

Want more information on choosing the perfect fiberglass planters for your restaurant, bar, or cafe's herb garden? Contact our friendly team for advice by emailing sales@potsplantersandmore.com or calling (855) 627-1066.