Gardening
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Herb Gardens for Indoors and Out
Plant a Plot or Steal Some Counterspace for a Fresh Addition to Mealtime
A chiffonade of basil on a favorite pasta; a sprig of parsley perking up a salad; freshly chopped cilantro stirred into a bowl of guac. Herbs make almost any meal more enjoyable. The only problem is that pretty much as soon as you bring them home and toss them in the crisper they start morphing into a brown puddle of mush, rarely lasting past the first meal or two in which they were used.
The solution? Put back that giant bundle of herbs next time you're at the supermarket and drive to the local nursery instead. With a few planted herbs you can clip what you need when you need it, and the rest can continue to grow in all its green glory. Whether in a sprawling garden or on a kitchen counter, there's always room for a few of these fragrant edibles. Here are just a few options:
The solution? Put back that giant bundle of herbs next time you're at the supermarket and drive to the local nursery instead. With a few planted herbs you can clip what you need when you need it, and the rest can continue to grow in all its green glory. Whether in a sprawling garden or on a kitchen counter, there's always room for a few of these fragrant edibles. Here are just a few options:
| In the garden. A kitchen garden situated right outside the house is convenient for stepping out and clipping a few stems to brighten up dinner.
The brick path surrounding this one makes it easy to reach the plants from all angles. |
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| The well-contained plots of this outdoor herb garden are reminiscent of traditional French potagers. |
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by Bonfigli Design
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| On the counter. This idea might be best for herbs already cut (fill a little water at the bottom of the trough to keep herbs fresh), but you could just as easily stick a small pot in there to have growing greens close at hand when preparing meals. (Just be sure they get regular doses of sun to keep them healthy.) |
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If built-ins aren't in the budget, a few pots work just as well on top of the counter.
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This herb planter is chic enough to stay out on the counter, and it comes with its own set of scissors for easy snipping.
On the wall. Woolly pockets can work indoors or out to give a home a jaw-dropping vertical garden. This one is filled with a variety of verdant houseplants, but you could just as easily use a garden-full of herbs in their place.
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| When there's not a lot of counter space to spare, a setup like this keeps herbs out of the way but still within reach. |
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Hang these storage crates near a glass door or window for sun, and you've got a vertical solution to your herb planting needs.
Tip: Keep plants in separate containers and place a tray at the bottom of each crate to prevent water damage.
Tip: Keep plants in separate containers and place a tray at the bottom of each crate to prevent water damage.
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In a pot. Potted herbs and citrus trees provide a fragrant welcome to guests when placed around the front door.
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Get creative: This plant stand was made out of reclaimed steps — a smart idea for making the most out of a little space.
A sweep of chalkboard paint on each pot makes it easy to keep track of which herb is which.
A sweep of chalkboard paint on each pot makes it easy to keep track of which herb is which.
| Anywhere there's a little extra soil. Herbs like thyme can grow in the tightest of spaces, such as between rocks in a hardscape. |
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A big rosemary bush makes just as big of an ornamental statement as it does a culinary one. If you live in a mild climate, plant one outside near a door or window to occasionally get a whiff of its piney smell.
by SFGIRLBYBAY
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No soil to speak of? A small planter can turn a tiny balcony or window into lush garden for a green thumb.
More gardening ideas:
6 Tips From Great Urban Gardens
Unexpected Edible Gardens
Charm Up Your House with Windowboxes
More gardening ideas:
6 Tips From Great Urban Gardens
Unexpected Edible Gardens
Charm Up Your House with Windowboxes
Comments
Mandy Brown Lovely set!
2 years ago · Like
Deanne Thanks for featuring my recycled plant stand and pots with chalkboard paint!
2 years ago · Like
Sunny My best friend had a huge rosemary bush outside their 1890's southern house. I can't smell rosemary without getting taken back to her home. WIsh we lived in a climate where I could grow it outside my door.
2 years ago · Like
lwarren2 We're loving growing herbs at this height; easy on the back and, so far, no snails. We purchased them from Kurt Preissler in Ventura, CA: http://www.preissler.net/sanctu/product.html 
2 years ago · Like
Gail Great ideas. Love the reclaimed steps and the planter lwarren shares. Growing herbs indoors is best done in front of a bright window or with a good grow light. Hanging them over the stove might not be a good idea due to heat and grease.
2 years ago · Like
Ideabook updated on May 11, 2011.
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