How To Start A Patio Container Herb Garden

Grow a supply of fresh herbs this summer with my tips for how to start your own patio container herb garden.

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How To Start A Patio Container Herb Garden

After a few years of successfully growing vegetables in our backyard garden, I decided that this summer, it was time to add some herbs to the mix. But, since space is at a premium in our garden, I knew I would need to be creative.

A small container garden is a perfect solution!

You don’t need a large yard (or any yard for that matter) to grow herbs outdoors. All you need is a few containers and some space on your patio, porch, or deck. This project is an easy DIY for beginning gardeners and fun to do with little ones too! So grab your gardening gloves and some potting soil, and keep reading for my tips for how to start a patio container herb garden.

Supplies

• Containers like these galvanized buckets
• Potting Soil
• Garden Trowel
• Gardening Gloves
• Herbs

Selecting Containers For Your Patio Herb Garden

Almost any type of container will work for your herb garden as long as it has ample drainage. I had planned to use vintage pieces like watering cans, farm pails, and old kitchen colanders. But after weeks of searching at local thrift stores, I couldn’t find any.

Then I remembered that I had two galvanized buckets from last year’s summer porch. Bam! I had my containers. I can’t believe I forgot about them. And since I had already made drainage holes in the buckets last year, they were all prepped and ready to use.

I think that they were meant to be for this garden project.

TIP: If your containers do not have drainage, you can use a drill and a bit to make a few holes in the bottom before planting your herbs.

What Herbs Should You Plant?

You have your containers, and you’re ready to pick out some plants. But how do you know which herbs are best to start with for your patio container herb garden?

What herbs you should plant depends partially on your preference and on which ones do well together. Most herbs make great companion plants, and, as a rule of thumb, you should plant herbs together that have similar requirements, like the same amount of water, sunlight, and type of soil needed.

But, there are always exceptions to the rules. Mint is one herb that doesn’t play nice with others. Because it tends to spread and take over other plants quickly, it is best when planted in its own container.

To save some money, I set out to grow my herbs from seeds. Earlier this spring, I picked up a few packets of herbs from a local nursery and carefully planted them along with our vegetable seeds.

For the most part, our vegetable seed starts did great. We have baby pea, tomato, and pepper plants and will be sowing watermelon, zucchini, and pumpkin seeds soon. The herbs, however, did not fare as well. Not a single thing sprouted! (Whomp, Whomp.)

Luckily my local Home Depot store came in clutch and had a great selection of herbs to get me started. I chose cilantro, parsley, thyme, oregano, and chives.

How To Plant Your Herbs

You have your containers and herbs. Now it’s time to plant! Potted herbs need soil with extra drainage, so it is best to use potting soil for potting your plants.

First, fill your containers with some soil. Then, remove the herbs from their plastic starter containers.

Next, gently place each of the plants in your containers and rearrange the herbs as needed until they fit. (Don’t forget to leave enough space between each plant to allow for growth!)

Using a garden trowel, dig holes large enough for each plant. Place the plants in the holes and backfill them with soil.

Make sure to water your herbs immediately after planting.

Tips For Caring For Your Herbs

Since this is my first time growing herbs, I researched several top gardening websites like The Farmer’s Almanac for the best herb care tips. Generally speaking, herbs are low maintenance and easy to grow, or so I’ve read.

Here are the top three most important things to keep in mind when caring for your herbs.

• Fertilizing. Herbs don’t need much fertilizing, but they do benefit from a boost now and then. To help your herbs thrive, look for fertilizers that are organic and high in nitrogen to promote leaf growth.
• Watering. Water your herbs as often as needed based on the requirements of each type of herb. Some herbs like the soil to be moister, while others prefer it to be drier. The best time to water is early in the morning or late at night to avoid the peak heat of the day.
• Sunlight. Most herbs need about six hours of sun a day. Depending on your weather, you may need to shade your containers during the hottest part of the day to avoid wilted stems and leaves on your herbs.

How To Harvest Your Herbs

Harvest your container herbs regularly. To harvest, cut off about 1/3 of the stems when the plant is between 6-8″ tall.

The more often you trim and harvest your herbs, the more your plants will produce!

At the end of the summer, bring your herbs indoors and place them near a window so you can continue to have fresh herbs well into the cooler fall and winter months.

How To Start A Patio Container Herb Garden

I hope you found these tips for how to start a patio container herb garden helpful. And I hope it inspires you to plant your own container garden. I can’t wait to have fresh herbs to use for our meals all summer long. Now I need to find some new recipes to try!

Happy Planting!

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