How to Build Your own Herb Garden in the Pacific Northwest
(pdf version of this brochure)
Fresh Herbs As Close As Your Balcony
Imagine fresh fragrant herbs as close as your balcony when you prepare your favorite meal. Delight your senses and discover the satisfaction in creating your own herb garden. The Urban Herbs’ Guide will show you how easy it is to build your own balcony herb garden.
Mother Nature First
Sunlight
Most herbs require six to eight hours of sunlight. Balconies facing south or southeast will usually get enough light. Because balconies with northern exposure will not receive sufficient sunlight, herbs will need to be grown indoors. They will need five hours of artificial light.
Temperature
Herbs like warmth, but not extended periods of heat-85° and above.
When temperatures remain in the thirties, plants need to be brought indoors. Temperatures for annuals range from 50°-75°.
Selection
You can purchase starter plants at nurseries, garden stores, and many hardware stores.
Buy small plants, which will allow for easy transplanting and care.
When selecting your plants it is important to remember that most herbs are perennial and can grow 3+ years. Some herbs are annuals and must be planted each year. These include basil, parsley, and cilantro. When you make your selection, check the leaves for mold, mites, or discoloration.
Seeds may be a consideration, but are not as easy to begin growing as live plants. Herbs can easily cross-pollinate, so you may not get the one you want.
Plan your Garden
Before making your purchases make a list of what you will need. Include at least one item from the following sections.
Plant Containers
Selecting your containers depends on your balcony shape, size, preferences, and budget. To anticipate maximum plant growth, they should all be at least 1½’ deep. Plastic pots are recommended for the balcony. They can be made to look like terracotta, but are lighter and less fragile. Their light weight will help, when they need to be taken inside due cold temperatures.
Cedar wood containers are heavy, but are attractive and water decay resistant. Metal pots can get too hot. The selection: hanging; railing-mount; wall-mount; plant stand; or deck is unique to simple; pricey to affordable; and ethnic to plain.
In consideration of the neighbors below, keep water contained to the containers’ saucer, trough, or drip tray.
Soil
If you plan to use your herbs in baking and cooking, buy organic. If you know the source is reliable, you can use composted soil. Soil quality is not a major factor with most herbs. These soils rarely need sand but if drainage appears to be a problem, then add sand as needed.
Tools
The following tools are recommended, but ordinary household items can be substituted.
- Gardening gloves
- Trowel
- Watering container
- Pruner
Fertilizer
It is best to fertilize once a year in the spring. Do not use any fertilizer that contains ingredients harmful to humans.
Grow Lights
If your plants need to be brought or grown inside, you will need grow lights. Grow lights are fluorescent fixtures that will require a power outlet (plug-in).
How to Plant Your Herbs
Some herbs require more space than others. Mint and marjoram are a few herbs that tend to spread and need their own container. Refer to the plant’s labeling for spacing requirements.
- Begin by covering the base of your planter with drainage pieces. Cover only an inch of the container bottom with broken terracotta pieces or gravel.
- Add potting soil until the planter is two-thirds full. Add water until soil is moist.
- Form a hole for planting with your trowel or hands. Holes should be one-third larger than the root ball.
- Remove the plant from its current container and follow these steps:
- Loosen the soil by gently squeezing the outside of the new plant’s container.
- Remove any roots hanging out of the container bottom.
- Turn the container upside down into your hand. Try to get as much as possible of the roots, dirt, and plant into your hand.
- If roots show on the outside of the dirt ball, the plant is root bound. Gently score the outside of the dirt ball.
- Place the plant in the new container’s prepared potting soil.
- Add more soil to fill in around the plant. Tap soil around plant to remove any air that may be around the roots. The soil should be two inches from the top edge of the container.
- Water the plant thoroughly.
- Place the new container and plant in a shady location. New growth indicates the plant has recovered from transplant shock. Move plant to direct sunlight.
Herb Care
Water
‘Only if needed’ is the key to container herbs. Herbs do not like to sit in wet soil. Proper drainage for most herbs is vital. If the soil is dry to the touch at 1 ½” deep, the plant needs water. Check plants in the evening for watering needs. Never leave the plants standing in water for more than a day. If temperatures are, consistently 85° or higher, water may be required twice a day.
It is time to transplant to a larger container, if you are watering your plants twice a day and they continue to wilt.
Pruning
Pruning your herb means cutting back the plant and the roots. To avoid stressing the plant, never trim more than one-third of an established plant or its roots.
- Starters – Do not prune the starters until they produce new growth. This will indicate the roots have settled into their new environment. They need the same care as established plants.
- Established Plants – If the plant cannot get enough water, it may be time to transplant it or prune the roots and plant. If you want to grow a larger plant, increase the pot size by one-third.
Transplanting
Select a container that is one-third larger than the original. Try to keep as much of your original soil with the plant when you move it to the new container. Refer to Step 4 in the How to Plant Your Herbs section.
Pests and Disease
If you move your herbs indoors check periodically for spider mites, aphids, and mildew. Keeping herbs warm and away from drafts will help prevent most plant ailments.
Safety
- Avoid pesticides.
- Use only fertilizers, which allow for human consumption of the herbs.
- Exercise caution when lifting containers and soil.
- Anchor railing containers.
REFERENCES
Urban Herbs would like to thank the following for their contributions:
- Cathy Reed, Master Gardner, and Molbaks Expert
- “The Bountiful Container” by Rose Marie Nichols McGee & Maggie Stuckey
- http://gardening.about.com
- King County Master Gardeners Foundation info@mgfkc.org
For more information on how to grow herb gardens, contact the Student Science / Sustainability Association (SSA) at Bellevue College. SSA is proud to offer tips and reference guides for your gardening needs.
BC Earth Week is organized by the BC Student Science Association. For more information contact Rob Viens in the BC Science Division at rob.viens@bellevuecollege.edu or (425) 564-3158.
