Planting & Growing Herbs: The benefits
If you find yourself regularly adding herbs to your trolley in the supermarket, you've likely thought about how easy or hard it is to grow them yourself at home. Apart from the obvious financial benefit of having a selection of fresh herbs at your fingertips instead of buying them every few weeks, you can also benefit from the richer and more satisfying flavour of knowing they are homegrown.
If you are already a keen gardener then adding herbs to your patio or garden should come relatively easily, and if you are new to growing your own or it's your first time experimenting with a small balcony or patio then we have some tips and tricks to get you started.
How To Choose Which Herbs To Grow
The most commonly used and grown herbs here in the U.K are a mix of Mediterranean herbs such as Rosemary, Thyme and Oregano along with annual or biannual herbs such as Basil, Dill, Parsley and Coriander.
Most herbs thrive in a sheltered but sunny spot, the Mediterranean herbs do best with well-drained soil that avoids becoming waterlogged - this makes them ideal for planting in containers.
The annual herbs such as Basil and Coriander should be planted from seed every 10-14 days to ensure a continual supply throughout the season.
The benefit of choosing to grow your herbs in a raised bed or container is that you get a lot more control over the quality and drainage of the soil, although care should be taken over very dry spells to avoid them drying out. Even if you have a very small patio or balcony starting your growing journey by growing herbs is a great way to learn the basics.
How To Grow Herbs In A Container
Most herbs are suitable for growing in containers, and you can usually grow from seed or pot plants brought from the garden centre. Beware that supermarket-bought plants are often not suitable to be planted outdoors as they are initially grown quickly in heated conditions!
The more tender herb seeds such as Basil and Corriander should be sown indoors until they are better established and all risk of frost has passed; you can then harden them off during the days before finally plating them out in their containers. If you are choosing to buy plants from a garden centre, hold off until towards the end of Spring as their roots may be too tender to thrive.
Deeper pots work well for herbs and you should aim to fill them with 2/3rds compost and then top with horticultural grit or perlite which will help aid drainage.
Hardier perennials such as Sage and Rosemary can be left potted for several years making them a worthwhile investment.
Our 6-section wooden herb planter is a great way to get started with growing herbs, compatible with our cold frame topper it is the perfect way to create a sheltered environment to get your growing started as early as possible and extended for as long as possible once the temperatures start to drop.
Herb Growing Tips
-
Basil
- Grow in light, well drained soil but do not allow to dry out.
- Sow seeds regularly throughout the season to ensure a continuous supply.
- Leaves can be used fresh or dry
-
Rosemary
- Position in a well drained container in a sunny spot.
- Will need shelter over colder season to prevent prolonged frost
- Can remain potted for several years.
- Stems and leaves can be used fresh or dried
-
Parsley
- Pot in a rich, well drained soil and position in sun or part shade.
- leaves should be picked just before flowering to be used in cooking.
-
Coriander
- Ensure the container is well drained, the plant likes full sun but partial shad can be beneficial to.
- Stems and leaves are often used in Thai cooking.
- Seeds are worth harvesting for cooking to.
-
Thyme
- A super hardy herb that does well in well drained soil but otherwise can cope with poor/stony soil.
- Leaves can be used fresh or dried in cooking.
- Trim back after flowering to maintain structure.
Cold Frames & Herb Planters
-
Wooden Cold Frame
Regular price £129.99 GBPRegular priceUnit price per
-
Small Cold Frame Greenhouse
Regular price £44.99 GBPRegular priceUnit price per£52.99 GBPSale price £44.99 GBP
Sale -
Raised Trough Planter
Regular price £44.99 GBPRegular priceUnit price per£52.99 GBPSale price £44.99 GBP
Sale -
Large Vegetable Planter
Regular price £99.99 GBPRegular priceUnit price per£129.99 GBPSale price £99.99 GBP
Sale
Garden & Allotment Polytunnels
-
Polytunnel 3m x 2m
Regular price £149.99 GBPRegular priceUnit price per
-
3m Replacement Polytunnel cover - Metal Door
Regular price £69.99 GBPRegular priceUnit price per
-
Large Polytunnel 6m x 3m
Regular price £229.99 GBPRegular priceUnit price per
-
6m Replacement Polytunnel cover - Metal Door
Regular price £89.99 GBPRegular priceUnit price per
Let customers speak for us
Poly
It was with help easy erected good fit
Ann Baxter
3m Replacement Polytunnel Greenhouse Cover - Zip Door
End cover
Brilliant quality.....covers
Exellent fast delivery
Will be ordering more quality products
5 stars from me
Nadeem ULLAH
End cover
Good tape
Arrived on time and easy to put on frame but could have done with more. Fortunately a neighbourly plot owner had a spare one.
tcc
Polytunnel Tape
So far so good
Well packed and delivered on time. It is wider than 2m which is great. I've only just put it up on my allotment with help from a friend. It was straightforward, each piece was numbered with easy to follow diagrams. Yet to see how it holds up to the strong winds and storms.
tcc
Polytunnel 3m x 2m
Budgie towers.
We were happy with our budgie avairy. Put it on a wooden base and legs so don't have to bend down. Overall very happy.
D.o.
Bird Aviaries and Extensions - AV02
polytunnel 3mx2m
We are very pleased overall. There are two suggestions which could improve the instructions in future: They say "all poles are to be placed on the inside of the polytunnel". In fact, the two side braces (number 20) go on the outside. Also, there is no info on where to put the 6 black plastic bungs. The tunnel itself is well made, but no water butt could ever fit under the gutter and leave room at its bottom to draw water out of a tap into a can. Good value and we are looking forward to our first crops.
Anthony Graf
Polytunnel 3m x 2m
Easy to assemble
Attractive looking hutch for one or two rabbits. Really cosy if you buy the rain cover to go with it.
Rachel Dickinson
Double Height Rabbit Hutch
Great Polytunnel
Had seen the polytunnel cover on line, but there was a slight delay in the product arriving in the Uk.
It wasn’t a problem. The staff were really professional, keeping me updated as to when it wd arrive. It’s now up and doing its job. Definitely recommend.
Heather Witney
3m Replacement Polytunnel cover - Metal Door
good quailty for money
ive bought from feel good before and never been disappointed they give quality with good prices
James Bunting
Large Polytunnel 6m x 3m
Perfect fit
Ordered 6m×3m cover Arrived well packaged within the week of ordering fitted perfectly over my old frame
Maureen Walker
6m Replacement Polytunnel cover - Metal Door