Moist soil is key when growing herbs in pots

By Angela O'Callaghan

Thursday, April 30, 2009 | 3:25 p.m.

Angela O'Callaghan

Sometimes, having a small space in which to garden may be as intimidating as having a large one. When the amount of room for growing plants is very limited, the intrepid gardener is trying to avoid wasting a single inch. Does it make sense to have a bed dedicated to corn, for instance, when a single plant will only yield three ears of corn while taking up the amount of space that could produce half a bushel of tomatoes? Perhaps, if one has a really profound interest in growing special corn, but this is hardly going to be a reasonable use for the general gardening public.

Early this past spring, I took a large plastic pot (14" across) and filled it with a very rich planting mix. In the most cavalier fashion, I sprinkled a package of seeds of mixed salad greens and pressed them into the soil just to see what would happen. Since the end of March, we have been harvesting and eating delicious fresh salads just by going out to that pot garden and giving the plants a quick haircut. They produce more leaves, and routinely cutting the plants back is postponing the day when they start flowering. If they flower, they become inedible (read: compost). Basil and other herbs can be grown with a little attention. In general, the key is to keep the soil evenly moist and the plants out of the hottest light. It is much easier to do this with pots, rather than in a fixed spot in the ground. I put the pots on casters that make them easy to move around until I find the best location.

It is probably too hot right now to start a salad garden, but herbs will do just fine in pots. Since home gardens generally do not need large areas for herbs, pots are probably the ideal approach. Some of the annual plants, such as basil, chervil, anise and dill, will flower at high temperatures, but the perennials will continue to grow even if they flower. Sage and lavender produce lovely purple flowers; thyme comes in a wide variety of flavors and colors, including lemon and orange. Again, keeping the plants evenly moist and out of the hottest light will help the plants survive even Southern Nevada summers.

Keeping plants moist may be the challenge, of course. Rich soil or mix that is high in compost will hold water better than a sandy one. Do not keep the soil surface exposed; use some kind of mulch, even in a pot. If possible, hook the pot into the drip irrigation system, if one exists. Finally, check the soil every day or so for moisture. If it is not moist, water it.

Tomatoes and peppers are considerably fussier, so they will require an article of their own.

Angela O’Callaghan is the area specialist in social horticulture for the University of Nevada Cooperative Extension. She can be reached c/o the Home News, 2360 Corporate Circle, Third Floor, Henderson, NV 89074, or [email protected].