Outdoor Kitchen Herb Garden

[jimmyswats]

Hi Everyone,

First spring in my house and I am wanting to use one of my garden beds for a kitchen herb garden (chives, rosemary etc.) I have searched online for a good site without much luck to help me out.

Currently there are big (3 inch dia.) wood chips that I am sure I will have to remove, but I am looking for tips to start this as my first gardening project.

Specifically:
Which herbs will work best with low sunlight? (5 hours a day)
What should the structure of the bed be? (layers of stuff??)
When should I start planting?

Thanks everyone in advance for any help!

J.

[Dustbunny]

If you go to the Canadian gardening sites you should find some specific info. I usually plant herbs and just use the same soils etc. as the rest of my plants and they do fine. If you are unsure about the soil you have, dig it and see what it is like and hit the garden center for some advice. You may have to mix some manure and peat or compost into it to enrich it. Most herbs also like sun. You pretty much have to treat them as annuals, so plant the same as any other annuals for your region.

One thing I discovered is the garden centres offer them but I've found bigger and better plants (better root systems) in the produce dept. of the grocery store. They are sold as hydroponic herbs for eating but when they come with the roots attached they can be plunked right in the garden (same with lettuce). So they cost about the same as the garden center but are generally better for planting.

If you want to plant from seed, unless you are somewhere with a long growing season, you had better start them inside now. Also know you can pot them up and bring them inside for the winter.

[nalababe]

For herbs, unless you are looking for something rather unique, then Home Depot, Loblaws are fine. They will start bringing out the herbs in late April or early may. That will be an ok time to plant many herbs. I would delay basil until closer to the May 24 weekend...it cannot handle the cold. For more unique herbs head to www.richters.com

As for herbs with only 5 hours. Does that mean shade for the rest of the time? or less light. Anyway, most of the herbs will tolerate that amount of sun. What might happens is that the herbs will not reach as large a size.

Mints and associate families would love that environment; however, do be careful. Do not plant mint directly in the soil (Sink a bucket in the ground). Parsley and Cilantro will do well here as well...So will thyme...but again, most will grow fine.

As for soil, don't worry too much. Remember that most herbs are essentially weeds. There is a reason why they grew well in their native environments. If necessary, add a bag or two of triple mix or wait until your local environment days to get free compost.

Unless you are in Vancouver/Victoria, plant your rosemary in a pot and bring it inside in the winter. It cannot tolerate the cold. Even the most cold hardy 'arp' rosemary has a less than 50% chance of surviving the winter here in Toronto.

[Rembrandt100]

I do not know where you live but if it is in the GTA area and you have a car visit this web site: http://www.richters.com/ They are in Goodwood and have the best selection of herbs anywhere. I was looking in the seed catalogue and there are 40 varieties of Basil.


Dave

[jimmyswats]

Thanks for the input everyone!

I am in Toronto and will check out Richters.

I am very excited to have a yard and look forward to planting in May!

[nalababe]

I do not know where you live but if it is in the GTA area and you have a car visit this web site: http://www.richters.com/ They are in Goodwood and have the best selection of herbs anywhere. I was looking in the seed catalogue and there are 40 varieties of Basil.


Dave

Richter's is great...but they are comparatively expensive. Additionally, they plants are often much smaller than you'd get at the big box stores. Now, since I am normally buying the more unique herbs (i.e. seeds for proper holy basil or a verigated broadleaf thyme) I make an annual pilgrimage. That being said, I'll also buy bulk herbs (i.e. I'll pick up 6 chervil or 6 genovese basil), I'll go buy these at HD or Loblaws.

...Sheridan has a nice selection of herbs as well...

For the hell of it, I thought I'd try to remember what is planted/will be planted this year. Last year's new herbs were Zattar and Zuta Lavena (both waiting for the weather to warmup)...I know I am missing some....

Cooking: Kilitari Oregano, Greek Oegano, Marjoram, Thyme, Lemon Thyme, Sorrel, French Sorrel, Bloody Dock, Chives, Garlic Chaives, English Mint, Rosemary (multiple varieties), Dill, Chervil, Coriander, Lemon Savory, Winter Savory, Genovese Basil, Holy Basil, Rubin Basil, Thai/Siam Queen Basil, Caendula, Perslane, Dandelion, Shiso (red/green), Fennel Bronze, zattar, zuta lavena, sage (purple and common), parley flat leaf, broadleaf thyme, Nastertium, Arugula

Tea: Pepermint, Margarita Mint, Annise Hyssop (normal and Golden Jubliee), Lavender, Rosepetal Thyme, Lemon Balm, Calamint, Lemon Verbena, Camomile German and Roman, Yarrow, Catmint, Angelica, Lemongrass, Stevia