One of the tried and true ways to garden in a container is to garden small and to garden strategically. The herb garden is a strategic use of space. Instead of going for bulk, you’re going for flavor. What would make your omelets delicious and your soup stocks the talk of the neighborhood? Herbs, of course!
A hot climate herb garden thrives in the summer on a hot deck. If you have a sheltered and bright area indoors or if you’re lucky enough to have a greenhouse, you can bring the garden inside for the winter. This is the beauty of gardening in something that is portable.
What goes into a hot climate herb garden? Think Mediterranean.
Sage loves the heat. It will grow into a shrub in hot climates. Avoid harvesting its leaves for the first year, then harvest it gently to encourage vigorous leaf growth. Use sage in soup stocks to add a meaty flavor. This works even if the soup itself is vegetarian. Of course, you can also add sage to meat dishes to provide a wonderful herbal complement to heavier tastes.
Thyme is a tough little plant that will withstand dry soil and heat if necessary. It’s perfect for the edges of a garden or a container. It is slow growing, so harvest it with care. I love using thyme in chicken dishes. It also pairs well with garlic and tomatoes, perfect for a soup stock or a pasta sauce.
Rosemary wilts and dies in our rainy climate if it stays out all winter, but in the heat of summer, it has a brief and wonderful burst of growth. This plant loves the heat and will happily grow into a bush if you let it. Rosemary is my favorite herb sprinkled over a salad. It’s also glorious in an omelet or other egg dish. Combine it with a dash of sea salt and a little bit of butter, and drool on.
Lavender loves sunny, dry, and rocky places. Lavender is best known as a herb for closet sachets, but it doesn’t need to be relegated to the closet. Use it in desserts to give them a floral, complex flavor. Lavender ice cream? Lavender chocolate perhaps?
Even though these herbs like the heat, make sure that you give your potted herbs plenty of water on warm summer days. They might love the heat, but they need water to survive through the summer drought. None of these plants like to be permanently damp around the roots, however.
What do you plant in your herb garden?
Image courtesy of alceu at Stock Exchange.