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Planting Herbs in Hanging Baskets
By Brenda Hyde
Planting herbs
in a hanging basket is a pretty and useful way to
grow herbs and it's perfect for those with limited space!
THE CONTAINER
You'll want something good sized (12-16 inches wide and at
least 12 inches deep). Wire baskets work nicely and look
especially good with herbs. Use sphagnum moss, coco-fibre
or other organic materials to line the basket. You can also
use black plastic (poke holes) or burlap to line for a cheap fix.
I have a very large wicker basket with a handle that I'm going
to plant this year. If a basket is not made for hanging, buy
hooks and chain and the hardware. You can also add a swivel
made for fishing-they come in all sizes and attach it to the hook.
BE SURE what you are hanging it from is sturdy enough. I've had
good luck with wrought iron hangers that are screwed in to fence
or porch posts. If you look in the house plant section you'll find
some good ones and for some reason they were cheaper then the
ones in the garden department.
THE LOCATION
You'll need at least 4 hours of sun-more if possible. Try to shelter
the basket from the wind, or at least move it on extra windy days.
Use a good container soil, and if you are using herbs like mint or
basil, you'll want a pretty fertile mixture. The Mediterranean herbs
such as rosemary, thyme, lavender or sage need a little sand added.
THE PLANTS
Here are some ideas---
A lemon basket: use lemon thyme, lemon balm, lemon
basil and a pretty yellow edible flower such as a pansy,
moonlight nasturtiums (creamy yellow), or calendula.
A spicy basket: Choose a small hot pepper plant (Thai pepper
are nice) for the middle and around it plant basil (lime and
cinnamon), lemon thyme, and oregano. All of these can be
used for salsa!
A Summer Salad Basket: Plant nasturtiums, fernleaf dill,
parsley, and a cherry tomato plant.
A Fragrance Basket: Try a chocolate mint, scented geraniums,
and lavender or any other herb that you love the smell of. Look
for dwarf varieties if possible, but they stay smaller in containers,
so experiment!
An Italian Basket: Use basil, oregano, marjoram, garlic chives and
a pepper plant in the middle. There is a dwarf variety called Jingle
Bells that is not only charming, but the little peppers can be stuffed!
PLANTING:
Soak the moss liner for quite a few hours or even overnight. Line the
basket with whatever you are using and add the soil. Place the plants
in the soil-crumbling peat pots off the roots if they had them-Place the
largest/tallest herb in the middle and around it plant the others. You
can fit them in quite closely. Water well, and hang. Watch the container
closely to determine how often it will need watering. Larger containers
do dry out slower than smaller ones, and herbs like it fairly dry, but you
shouldn't let the soil dry out at anytime. Feed the herbs with an organic
fertilizer of some type-but never use chemicals. Pinch the plants out
from the middle after planting to help them busy out. Harvest as you
would in the garden!
NOTES: I haven't tried this, but I've read of planting cherry
tomato plants from UNDERNEATH the hanging basket (drilling
holes if necessary), and putting annual herbs about them, so
they grow hanging-basically upside down. They must be in
full sun where it will expose all the plants. A unique idea!
Click here for instructions to grow full sized hanging tomatoes.
About The Author
Brenda Hyde is a freelance writer living on ten acres in rural Michigan with her husband and three kids. Stop by and visit her garden blog, Garden of Grace & Whimsy, and her photography blog, A Dance of Words & Photos.
SeptemberLady "Born and have lived in Southern MD most of my life. My husband and I just finished building a new home on the family farm, where I hope to retire in the near future.
My interests: Doll collecting, cookbook collector (especially old ones), antiques, family/friend get-togethers, cooking/baking, flower and vegetable gardening, bird-watching."
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