The best tips for a delicious harvest

Ideas and options - inspirations for outdoors and indoors

Herbs are tough and characterized by a high level of tolerance. Mediterranean, Asian and local herbal treasures kindly give the green light for horticultural design ideas that push capricious flowers and perennials to their floral limits. For the herb garden, therefore, classic and unorthodox variations come into consideration. The following selection of ideas gives an insight:

When it comes to pots, buckets and boxes, you are welcome to let your imagination run wild. As long as herbs do not have to contend with wet feet, they thrive splendidly in all kinds of everyday objects. An upside-down umbrella filled with herbal substrate is smart. Old wooden shoes act as a rustic planter for dwarf herbs. Open wooden drawers of an old chest of drawers accept hanging herbs as a bed substitute.

Build your own herb spiral - an overview of the concept

The herb spiral is practical and beautiful to look at

As a spiral, a herb garden becomes the Olympus of the best herbs on our planet. Thanks to an ingenious design, valuable types of herbs from all climatic zones find suitable framework conditions for lush, healthy growth. The following overview summarizes the key points for the sophisticated concept of a herb spiral:

• Location: sunny, warm, sheltered location
• Shape and orientation: Snail shape with opening to the south
• construction: 4 climatic areas as dry, normal, humid and water zones
• framing: Edging made of stones, wood, steel or gabions, gradually increasing to 80 cm
• filling: Gravel and gravel in the core up to 50 cm as drainage and substructure, tapering towards the water zone to 0 cm
• Drainage protection: Ballast / gravel filling covered with breathable fleece
• Planting layer: Mix of Compost soil and sand, the proportion of sand gradually decreasing
• pond: Heart of the water zone with 100% Compost soil as a shore substrate

You can find detailed step-by-step instructions for building a herb spiral in the garden here read, peppered with numerous tips for drawing up plans and preparatory work as well as expert planting in each climatic zone.

Creating a herb garden as a raised bed - central ideas for beginners

In the raised bed, herbal plants are given a box seat in the garden, combined with ideal living conditions. Thanks to a well-planned filling, the soil is warmer, more permeable and drier than in a normal bed. Furthermore, a herb garden scores as a raised bed with the advantage that annoying bending over for planting, care and harvesting is a thing of the past. The best argument for growing herbs at table height: Annoying constant clinching with snails has come to an end, because the plants thrive in unreachable heights for the voracious rabble.

For a picturesque eye-catcher, design the back-friendly herb garden with a well thought-out kit, tastefully tailored to the architectural style of your house. The Stima raised bed made of Douglas fir matches the elegant country house. The Feliwa raised bed comes from woven willow in the style of a cottage garden. A raised bed made of gabions, which can be found in many sizes at Obi, shines in a trendy and modern way.

A raised bed makes gardening easier

Filling the raised bed in a herb-friendly way - this is how it works

The herb plants do not care how you design the outer frame of a raised bed. Basil, oregano and chives place more emphasis on the quality of the soil. You are in tune with your herbal treasures when you fill the raised bed in layers for a loosely permeable consistency that reliably prevents damaging waterlogging. How to do it right:

1. Cover the ground with vole wire
2. 1. Layer: 20 cm high, coarse pruning, shredded root remains
3. 2. Layer: branches chopped 10 cm high, autumn leaves, pruning
4. 3. Layer: 20 cm high half-rotted compost
5. 4. Layer: 30 cm high mixture of 3 parts of sieved compost and 1 part of sand or Lava granules

In the course of the months, immigrant soil organisms process the organic material of the lower layers humus. During this process, the area under cultivation is reduced. It is therefore necessary to fill up the herbal raised bed with a mixture of compost and sand every spring.

Tinker mobile raised herb bed with Euro pallet

The privilege of herbal care at table height is not linked to your own garden plot. Balcony gardeners and carpenters simply build their own herb garden as a mobile raised bed. Various modifications have to be considered in the construction. In contrast to the raised bed in the garden, there is no direct contact with the ground, which makes drainage particularly important. The classic four-layer layering is dispensed with in favor of an airy, loose substrate mixture. The following instructions are an example of how you can build a mobile raised bed as a herb garden yourself:

Material and tools

• 1 euro pallet (new and untreated)
• 1 wooden board as floor (1200 mm x 800 mm x 6 mm)
• 3 stacking frames for wooden pallets (from the hardware store)
• 4 wheels including fastening material and wooden wedges
• 1 can of liquid beeswax as a non-toxic impregnation
• Pond liner or garden fleece
• Brush or painter's tassel
• Cutter or scissors
• Drill or cordless screwdriver
• Spax screws

The enthusiasm for handicrafts with wooden pallets has led to an increased demand for special wooden stacking frames. The specialist trade has reacted to this and offers a corresponding selection of products. Matching the recommended floor dimensions, 3 wooden frames are sufficient for a mobile raised herb bed at a comfortable working height of 85 centimeters. The special frames come with galvanized steel hinges that you don't have to buy separately. Furthermore, the wooden frames are foldable for easy transport.

instructions

Place the base plate on the Euro pallet and screw everything together with the Spax screws. As a non-toxic moisture protection coat the wooden floor with liquid beeswax according to the manufacturer's instructions. Then drill a few small holes so that the irrigation water can run off. Now turn the wooden pallet over and screw the wheels tight. Place the sub-floor on the wheels that you block with small wedges or stones. You can now mount the stacking frames. Line the inner walls with pond liner or fleece and staple everything.

For the mobile herbal raised bed, we recommend filling in two layers. For drainage, cover the ground with gravel a hand's width, Expanded clay(€ 16.35 at Amazon *) or Lava granules. Fill in peat-free herbal soil on top. Add sand to the substrate to match the planting. Mainly Mediterranean herbs want sandy-dry soil. Native wild herbs prefer to stretch their roots in nutrient-rich, fresh, moist compost soil.

Trendy and modern - this is how a vertical herb garden succeeds

Wall hangers are handy for a vertical herb garden

A lack of space is no reason for balcony gardeners to forego the consumption of fresh herbs from their own cultivation. To take Petunias, Geraniums and summery flower beauties Balcony box already in possession? Then simply move the cultivation area for your favorite herbs vertically. The following ideas may inspire you for a vertical herb garden on the balcony and terrace:

• Flower boxes(€ 149.00 at Amazon *) the end Gutters tinker yourself, screw one on top of the other to the house wall or fence element
• Attach the steel grille, plastic net, rock wool mat and cover with round recesses to the wall in layers
• vertical wall hanger with plant pockets (e.g. B. from Amazon) and plant them with herbs
• finished plug-in system with planters (e.g. B. Gardena 'NatureUp') and plant them

So that balcony gardeners indulge in herbal dreams in the smallest of spaces, popular species can be discovered as dwarf varieties in specialist shops. Under the trade name 'Nana' (Salvia officinalis), sage makes itself very small to enrich the vertical herb garden. Dwarf thyme (Thymus vulgaris) is the name behind the 'Compactus' variety. The dwarf curry shrub (Helichrysum italicum ssp. serotinum) is not only completely winter hardy and tolerates pruning, but also remains at a height of 25 centimeters.

Herb garden for the windowsill - imaginative examples

Herbs also thrive in pots

Carpenters quickly transform the windowsill into a mini herb garden. Many aromatic plants are good-naturedly tolerant of a life inside behind glass. Chives, dill, basil and room garlic add freshness to warm and cold dishes Seasoning power when you enjoy a sunny location with constant temperatures of around 18 degrees Celsius is. The following examples may fire your imagination for a decorative herb garden on the windowsill:

• inexpensive: in an empty egg carton with halved egg shells as a mini seed pot
• accurate: small pots in a row in a self-made wooden frame with support legs made of spruce glued wood
• vertical: Pot tower made of 3 differently sized planters with 2 upturned clay pots as a tier platform
• rustic: Planter made from pallets tinker and plant with herbs
• Noble: Equip the mini greenhouse with pot herbs

The free, light-flooded glass surface above the window sill is perfect as an additional surface. There's room for one here Hanging basket, creatively planted with hanging herbal beauties such as trailing ones Nasturtiums 'Red Wonder' (Tropaeolum majus) or creeping rosemary 'Santa Barbara' (Rosmarinus officinalis).

Observe the consensus between the planting plan and the location

The location conditions ultimately determine your planting plan for the herb garden. Bring species-specific requirements and location in line with one another so that your favorite herbs thrive in premium quality. This premise applies regardless of whether you have a majestic herbal castle as a spiral in the garden or a herb garden in small format on the balcony invest. Even indoors, the lighting conditions are decisive for the well-being and woe of your culinary herbs. The following table presents a selection of sun worshipers, half-shade herbs and shade enthusiasts:

Please note with the herbal composition that the boundaries are fluid. Mild, spicy thyme also thrives in a partially shaded location if the soil is moderately dry and well-drained. Basil will not let you down if you assign the Mediterranean classic a sunny location in fresh, moist soil.

Digression

Skilfully socialize herbs

Planting herbs in an exemplary manner - step-by-step instructions

Before planting out, the soil should be loosened

Walling stones, assembling Euro pallets or tinkering a pot castle require creativity and manual skills. Of course, these activities only mark the prologue on the way to the DIY herb garden. In order for the main floral characters to develop splendidly in the bed, spiral, pot and box, it is important to plant them properly. This guide explains how to properly plant herbs outdoors and indoors:

Plant in the bed

Good soil preparation is essential for planting in a bed. Rake the soil thoroughly, removing stones, roots and weeds in the process. Dig one or two of compacted soil spade deep around. Work quartz sand into the ground to optimize permeability. Enrich sand-stressed bedding soil with sifted compost soil if native wild herbs are included in the planting plan. While you are doing the earthworks, put the potted young herbs in water to penetrate the root ball. Mediterranean herbs, which by nature actually have a weakness for dry conditions, also benefit from this measure.

After completing the preparatory work, excavate the planting pits. Please measure the distance generously. If the herb garden is crowded later, diseases and pests have an easy time of it. Pot out each herb plant and plant the root ball in the center of the planting hole. The planting depth should correspond to the position in the nursery pot. Press the soil firmly with both hands and pour on with stale water.

Plant pots, tubs and boxes

Drainage plays a key role in planting herbs in all kinds of vessels. At the beginning, check whether there are at least two openings in the floor for water drainage. If necessary, you can help with a cordless screwdriver or drill. Many inorganic materials are suitable as drainage, such as gravel, lava granulate, expanded clay or pottery shards. Ideally, you should place an air and water-permeable fleece over the water-bearing layer.

Now fill the herb substrate in the pot and bucket up to half the height. With a shovel or by hand, you create small hollows in the substrate. Position the water-soaked, potted root ball in it. Fill in the remaining herbal soil until the original planting depth is restored and a watering edge of 2 to 3 centimeters is created. Last but not least, pour all the herbs into them until the first drops of water run out from underneath.

Care tips for the herb garden

Above all, herbs need sun and water

Sun and water are the lifeblood of herbal plants. The frugal demands make life easy for the hobby gardener. The following care tips get to the heart of the matter with which contributions you can keep your herb garden outdoors and indoors in top form:

Water and fertilize

Mediterranean herbs, such as rosemary and lavender, only need little watering in beds and pots, even in midsummer. If the substrate is noticeably dry, please water a little. Basil, large-leaved herbs and local wild herbs evaporate a lot of liquid and should be watered accordingly more often. A previous finger test guarantees that the soil is actually well dried, because waterlogging ruins all herbal plants in no time at all.

The majority of herbs are among the weak eaters and do not need a supplementary supply of nutrients. Vigorous herbs, such as basil, Sage, parsley or wild garlic are unusual. Fertilize Take these herbs regularly by adding an organic liquid fertilizer to the irrigation water every one to two weeks. In the bed, you can optionally apply sifted compost soil as a natural fertilizer.

Cut and hibernate

Numerous popular herbs thrive as woody shrubs and are on a continuous basis Cut care reliant. In addition to the regular harvest pruning, subject lavender, sage and other subshrubs to a care and maintenance pruning in spring. Cut back all shoots by at least a third, in good time before new shoots begin.

Native herbs are hardy and can get through the cold season without any special protection. Mediterranean herbs, on the other hand, are designed for multi-year growth, but in return they are quite susceptible to severe frost. A thick layer of autumn leaves, straw and coniferous twigs has proven to be effective as winter protection in the herb garden. Most herbs in pots and tubs are at risk of cold death at temperatures below freezing point and should overwinter behind glass.

Many herbs are very hardy

frequently asked Questions

On my balcony I only have space for a mini herb garden in the traffic light. Which herbs are recommended?

For your planting plan, write down all the types of herbs that naturally thrive with prostrate shoots. Planted in a classic traffic light or the modern hanging basket, crawling herbs come into their own when the tendrils dangle casually. Cascade thyme (Thymus longicaulis ssp.odoratus), creeping sage (Salvia nevadensis) and the rosemary variety 'Boule' (Rosmarinus officinalis), the aromatic shoots of which are hanging grow.

How can I design my herb garden with LED lighting?

Romantic lighting in the herb garden is easy and uncomplicated with solar-powered LED lights. The specialist trade offers a large selection of decorative lamps for outdoor use, which you can design without the hassle of laying cables. However, limited performance is to be expected in winter due to the lack of light. You can avoid this problem by installing spots or bollard lights in the low-voltage system in the herb garden.

Which herbs are good for the indoor herb garden?

Inside grow all kinds of herbs that can cope with calm, lack of light and dry heating air. The best location for the indoor herb garden is on the windowsill. Dill, parsley, basil, oregano and chives thrive here. The herb expert Rühlemann recommends tropical herbs for growing indoors. These include liquorice days, ice herb and Vietnamese coriander.

When is the best time of year to start an herb garden?

Spring is the best time to plant an herb garden outside. You can start preparing the ground as soon as the ground has thawed. You should also plan construction work and filling the raised bed or herb spiral for spring. By the end of April / beginning of May the planting time begins, the soil has settled and is ready for herb plants.

I don't want to go without basil in my herb spiral in the garden. Are there varieties that are hardy and perennial north of the Alps?

In fact, basil is a headache for many herb gardeners because the plant says goodbye after a year, although it thrives in the Mediterranean for several years. Thanks to an ingenious new breed, the problem was solved. Look out for the wild purple basil variety (Ocimum canum x basilicum) in stores. In field tests by the knowledgeable breeder Rühlemann, the red-leaved herb plant has proven to be reliably hardy since 1996.

As a beginner, I would like to create a small herb garden in the balcony box. Do you have a specific example of a herb planting plan for soups and stews?

We would be happy to draw up a plan for you, just like you would a big one Flower box(€ 149.00 at Amazon *) as a mini herb garden. The front row is reserved for bobbed basil (Ocimum basilicum var Minimum) and upholstered thyme (Thymus praecox var. pseudolanuginosus). In the background you place gold marjoram (Origanum vulgare aureum) in the middle. Chervil (Anthriscus) resides on the right. Chives (Allium schoenoprasum) take their place on the left.

Tips

Did you know that empty plastic bottles have the potential for a second life as a vertical herb garden? The masterpiece is achieved by cutting out a long, as wide as possible rectangle on the side with the cutter. Holes are drilled in the top and bottom of the bottle in order to thread and knot a cord as a hanging device. Now only fill with herbal soil, plant with dwarf herbs and hang on top of each other.