What type of pots for herbs

[frederick]

Hi all.....I wish to grow herbs namely...chives,Fennel,Marjoram,Mint, Oregano, Parsley, Rosemary, Sage,Tarrogon and Thyme.The problem is that I have little or no garden only concrete, therfore I would like to grow these in Pots. My question is 1) what type of Pot, Plastic or Terracota, and 2) what size pots say 5"diam.
I have sufficient space to place the pots in soil but not enough to place the plants in the soil.
Any help will be most appreciated.... Frederick

[Jess]

Hi Fred,

If you dont mind them being unsightly then plastic every time. Terracota will only flake or split in the frost. I'd use bigger than 5" more like 10" and if you have the ground to do it, cut out the bottoms and push them into the soil by about an inch so as they are secure. Then fill them with potting compost and plant the herbs. The hrbs will then be able to grow right down through the pot and into the ground inhindered and more important drainage will be much improved as perhaps surprisingly will water retention as the pot will act like a wick sucking moisture from the ground. Hope this helps.

Cheers,

Jess

[Diggetty]

Hi, I use frost-hardy terracotta pots from 10" upwards as I find these regulate heat/water better. Some I have 2-3 herbs in (slow growing woody ones eg rosemary). Some are on their own (mint, lemon balm) as they're rampant. All the pots have rinsed balast in the base as drainage. I wouldn't worry about the concrete, pots on concrete is a great way to grow herbs. You can prop them up for drainage if the weather's really bad.
My chives grow like weeds, I chop them right back in the autumn & split them up in the spring into more plants. Mediterranean herbs will need protecting through bad winters (I lost a 4 foot rosemary tree last year).
Fennel - you need to check what type you are growing (are you growing it for seed, leaf or tuber?) to determine whether a pot will take it. My fennel grows to 1.5m each year, I harvest the seed & cut it back in the autumn. I moved it this year, the roots weren't too onerous though.

Hope this helps.

[kfan]

I use terracotta pots lined with bubble-wrap so they don't crack in winter (when the soil expands the bubble-wrap takes the pressure) and insulates the plants as well. I would always use larger pots (10" or larger) and combine 2-3 herbs - it looks nicer and also makes a nice mirco-clima for the herbs helping them stay healthy.

Just be sure that the drainage for the Mediterranean herbs is good, as pots can sometimes become waterlogged. I smash some cracked terracotta pots up and put it in the bottom, but pebbles/ gravel will do as well. I also mix for the Mediterranean herbs the compost with 20% sharp sand to lower the nutrient content and add drainage.

Good luck!

Katrina