Mini Herb Gardens

Basil is an ideal plant for a mini herb garden.

Whether it's a corner in the patio or a windowsill in the kitchen, small spaces can be ideal to grow and house mini herb gardens. A ready supply of herbs for cooking or garnishing will be in easy reach.

Outdoor Mini Herb Garden

For placement outdoors, choose containers that are at least six inches deep with drainage holes. Use an all-purpose potting soil rather than garden soil. Place the containers in a sunny location. As the herbs grow, feed them with a water-soluble fertilizer every three to four days. Herbs grown outdoors should be watered in the morning to allow them sufficient time to dry.

Indoor Mini Herb Garden

For an indoor mini herb garden, choose an area that receives lots of sunlight, preferably a south- or west-facing window. Use potting soil in six-inch deep containers with drainage holes. Place them on a tray covered with moistened pebbles and mist the herbs to help them maintain maximum humidity. Like an outdoor mini herb garden, feed growing herbs every three to four days with a water-soluble fertilizer.

Best Herbs for a Mini Garden

Some herbs that are well-suited for small containers from four to six inches include basil, chives, lavender, summer savory and thyme. Dill, mint, parsley, rosemary, sage and winter savory require larger pots, from 8 to 12 inches.

References

• West Virginia University Extension Service: Growing Herbs in the Home Garden
• West Virginia University Extension: Container Gardening
• Cornell Cooperative Extension: Growing Vegetables, Herbs and Annual Flowers in Containers