Avoid These 10 Common Mistakes When Growing Your Herb Garden
- Fiona Clougher
- Jul 26, 2024
- 4 min read
Not all plants are made, or in fact, grown alike. However, it is possible to give growing a good go if you can accommodate the individual needs of the plant. Herbs are a wonderful addition to a home or garden. Not only do they offer a great variety of foliage for borders or windowsills, but they also offer a delectable addition to the kitchen. They can be very rewarding, therefore, when grown successfully; but as with all living things, there is plenty of room for error. To avoid herb growing disasters, just follow this Sage advice and avoid the following mistakes...
Choosing the Wrong Growing Container: Seedlings need to be grow in trays, containers or pots as this provides better control over soil type and positioning. Established plants can grow in well-draining garden soil or raised beds as they will ideally be stronger and better able to resist disease. You also need to remember that some herbs are particularly good 'spreaders' eg. mint, which can become notoriously invasive in a garden bed. Such herbs are best kept in containers rather than moving into an open garden bed 1.
Using the Wrong Soil: Herbs need to be grown in potting soil, particularly if they are very young or seedlings. Potting soil is specifically designed for drainage and is nutrient-rich. Its lightweight composition also gives better aeration for root health and respiration. When potting seedlings, do not use garden soil as it is too dense and may also contain bacteria.
Not Providing Adequate Drainage: One of the key mistakes in growing herbs is not allowing water to drain correctly. Poor drainage can cause root rot and also harbour bacteria. Make sure pots have draining holes so that water can flow freely. Claggy, dense or heavy soil does not drain well and, as per point '2' above, reinforces the need to choose the correct soil for your herbs. If planting outdoors, you can consider adding light gravel and digging in compost to garden soil to break it up.
Overwatering & Underwatering: Many plants seem to have a fine line between what is considered too much and too little water. There is a general rule of thumb that does apply to most herbs, that is: neither saturate nor allow to dry out. Saturation can lead to root rot. Drying can starve the plant and, particularly in hot months, it is important to keep an eye on this. You need a happy balance, where the plant is given a moderate amount of water and allowed to become nearly dry before watering again. This means the plant is only receiving as much as it can use at any given time. That being said, different herbs prefer different moisture levels and it is important to look this up on your seed packet to make a good judgement on watering levels.
Planting Too Close Together: It is tempting to squeeze in as many plants as possible into your containers in the hope of growing a full and plentiful harvest. However, planting too close together creates more competition over root space. If plants do not have adequate room underground it prevents the development of a healthy root system, and unhealthy roots make for less resilient and less disease-resistant plants 2.
Not Using Fertiliser: The dedicated herb gardener will likely want to produce successful and thriving plants that can actually be used in the home for cooking or scenting. To produce healthy, flavoursome and potent herbs, it is important to provide a plentiful supply of nutrients. Composting annually keeps on top of soil pH and quality. You can also add organic decomposable materials that are beneficial for growing all sorts of plants including herbs, fruit and vegetables in order to top up nitrogen, potassium and phosphorous levels.
Harvesting the Biggest Leaves: It feels counter-intuitive to leave the biggest looking leaves on the plant when harvesting for your pasta or salad! Harvesting the newer, smaller growth instead seems premature. However, not only are the older, bigger leaves doing a lot of the sunlight absorption, but harvesting from the top also means preventing the plant from become too leggy. Younger leaves can also be tastier and less bitter.
Not Giving Enough Light: Most herbs enjoy sunshine and it is vital for producing healthy green leaves. Light is what encourages upward growth itself. A windowsill can be a great spot as long as it is not too direct for too much of the day; around 6hrs of daylight is a good measure. Too much heat can cause leaf scorching and soil drying, so this is something to keep an eye on. Some herbs prefer partial sun and fewer hours of light (around 4-6hrs rather than 6-8hrs) and so it is a good idea to check the needs of each herb variety 4.
Buying The Wrong Plant: It is important to remember that some herbs are more challenging than others. Rosemary and mint can be more difficult to grow than basil, thyme and chives, for example 5. Choose healthy plants from a reputable nursery if growing established plants, making sure to avoid yellow or wilting leaves. Additionally, avoid seed growing until you have a little experience, as this can be more challenging still.
Not Pruning Or Cutting Back: Give herbs a trim when the plants are 3-4" above the soil and with every new 3-4" of new growth to encourage volume and new growth. Pruning in a 'V', (cutting a shoot just after two smaller shoots to widen the plant), creates a dense, well-kept herb plant! 6 Some herbs really benefit from a harder prune in the Autumn months to protect the plant from harsh cold temperatures, and encourages thicker Spring growth.
One of the main issues in growing your herb garden is assuming that all herb have the same requirements and preferences. Some originate in hot countries, some cool; some in dry conditions, some moist. Recognising these difference might determine whether to grow in a cooler season (as with coriander), or warmer season (for basil); in moisture-locking or moisture draining containers; or whether to move outdoors or bring indoors 3.
The main takeaway is to check on the individual seed packets or research individual herb types before embarking on your herb growing mission. It could be wise to group plants in containers that have similar needs, for the sake of ease and efficiency. Whatever the herb, remember that a little reading goes a long way and can prevent a great many disasters... Thyme after Thyme.
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