What’s a good herb to grow for beginners?
Posted by pano | Under Kitchen Herb Garden: Why Start Growing Fresh Herbs? Sunday Sep 11, 2011I’m interested in starting a vegetable/herb garden at home, but I am an absolute beginner. I don’t have much space in my backyard (9 m square), and was thinking it might be a good idea to start growing things in pots. I’d like to grow some herbs and basic salad vegetables, like lettuces, cucumbers and tomatoes.
I’d like some suggestions of where would be a good place to start for someone who’s never gardened before and who’s worried about killing more things than I grow.
Any advice is welcome and greatly appreciated.
All herbs can be grown in pots, you can even have a few in one of though long window boxes. make sure though that they have the same requirements regarding water etc. I grow basil, chives and corriander (cilantro) together as they are all "soft stemmed" and like the sunshine. The hard stem herbs, some sage, rosemary and thyme are best in individual pots due to size variations. Lettuce and radish are good companions, cucumbers are best alone, but sweet peppers and toms go well together. Don’t forget that the cherry type toms can be grown in hanging baskets for more space!! Best of luck!!
Basil is a great herb for beginners its really low maintenance. Otherwise go to your local Garden Center and ask them most of them know their stuff. It also depends on the season to as to what all you can grow!
Agree with Tess. Additionally all herbs and veg want full sun. Since your space is limited you may want to consider training your cukes to climb (vining plants take up a lot of space, see center box) you’ll need male and female cukes http://images.search.yahoo.com/images/view?back=http%3A%2F%2Fsearch.yahoo.com%2Fsearch%3Fei%3DUTF-8%26p%3Dcucumber%2Bplant%2Bimage&w=160&h=120&imgurl=www.bing.com%2Fimages%2Fsearch%3Fq%3Dcucumber%2Bplant%2Bimage%23focal%3D286de68b083c69423c55bd4f6957de2b%26furl%3Dhttp%253a%252f%252fi36.servimg.com%252fu%252ff36%252f15%252f26%252f63%252f46%252fimg00510.jpg&size=&name=search&rcurl=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.bing.com%2Fimages%2Fsearch%3Fq%3Dcucumber%2Bplant%2Bimage%23focal%3D286de68b083c69423c55bd4f6957de2b%26furl%3Dhttp%253a%252f%252fi36.servimg.com%252fu%252ff36%252f15%252f26%252f63%252f46%252fimg00510.jpg&rurl=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.bing.com%2Fimages%2Fsearch%3Fq%3Dcucumber%2Bplant%2Bimage%23focal%3D286de68b083c69423c55bd4f6957de2b%26furl%3Dhttp%253a%252f%252fi36.servimg.com%252fu%252ff36%252f15%252f26%252f63%252f46%252fimg00510.jpg&p=cucumber+plant&type=&no=1&tt=115&oid=http%3A%2F%2Fts2.mm.bing.net%2Fimages%2Fthumbnail.aspx%3Fq%3D1222308799813%26id%3D03682233cf6376af0b41c6c8df293f0d&tit=Pruning+Cucumber+Plants%3F&sigr=15e4t5s81&sigi=157ei09of&sigb=11uk71um6&fr=ush-ans Lettuce (spinach, peas) prefers the cooler weather of spring and fall, heat encourages bolting. Expect 2 harvests of greens, 3rd harvest will be edible, but less tasty.
When growing from seeds, surface water daily, when seedlings appear water deeply but less frequently. Have fun.