This combination of herbs and flowers hung on the wall of my patio garden, above the table. I used the herbs frequently for meals I served on the table. The plants loved the bottom watering from the self-watering planter. What a convenient and pretty way to grow.
The Plants:
‘Boxwood’ basil: Two plants from 4” pots.
Creeping Jenny: Six plants from a multipack.
Gomphrena: Two plants from 4” pots.
Melampodium: Eight plants from 4” pots.
Rosemary: Two plants from 4” pots.
Sweet basil: Two plants from 4” pots.
How to Grow
Light: At least four to five hours of full sun daily.
Season: Spring through fall for most warmer areas.
Lifespan: Three to four months in this container.
Care: Fertilize on planting day with a slow-release mix. Repeat if the leaves look yellowish or washed-out, although the fertilizer should last from six to nine months. Trim the creeping Jenny to keep it looking neat.
Water: This Lechuza self-watering planter has a water level indicator located on the front corner. When this indicator falls below the “min” level, refill the water reservoir to “max.” These self-watering containers require less water than other containers.
Troubleshooting: No problems at all.
Planting Plan: Top planter: Plant a sweet basil in the center back. Surround it with the melampodium, gomphrena, and creeping Jenny. Bottom planter: Plant a rosemary in the center back. Surround it with ‘Boxwood’ basil and the same ornamental plants as the top planter. Be sure to plant in good-quality potting mix, not garden soil, topsoil, or potting soil, which can kill your plants.
Container: Lechuza’s Balconera Cottage 50. The bottom pot is the Balconera Cottage 80.
Best Time to Pick: Since these herbs are used for flavoring (found in the leaves), trim any time. If the rosemary grows so tall it hits the upper planter, trim as needed.
This is an excerpt from Pamela Crawford’s book, Easy Patio Veggies and Herbs, available through Amazon and other online booksellers.
Pamela Crawford, author of 12 gardening books, is considered one of the most accomplished container gardening experts in the country. In addition to designing gardens for over 1500 residences, her work has been featured on the cover of Better Homes and Gardens publications as well as in Southern Living, HGTV Magazine, Fine Gardening, Country Gardens, and in over 300 newspapers. As an expert in her field, she has appeared on the Fine Living Network, GardenSMART, gardenloverstv.com and numerous local tv shows.
All articles are copyrighted and remain the property of the author.
By Dan Heims, President, Terra Nova Nurseries, Inc.
Photographs courtesy of Terra Nova Nurseries, Inc.
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