How to plant herbs in a pot

BEFORE

THIS POST IS LINKED TO METAMORPHOSIS MONDAY
and
OUTDOOR WEDNESDAY

If you think I am overdoing with the gardening segments... just you wait until Summer, when I am considering doing a ten segment series on the joys of eating seafood with your bare hands...  Fascinating stuff! 

But it is Spring after all, and there is a lot that needs to be done around here to get this house feeling like a home.  I have been growing herbs every season for at least the past ten years... and it is already almost tax day and I have not indulged.  April 15th is always a good time to put out your Summer color and your herbs, but here in TX the seedlings come in a bit earlier.  I was afraid that if I waited any longer the goods would be all gone!

My wonderful husband took a trip to the hardware store for another project he has going and I asked him to bring me home some herbs and a nice pot.  I think he did an excellent job.  He got home with this lovely pot from Lowe's. This beauty has a ridged outside and its organic bended shape is only enhanced by the aqua coloring on the inside, which will not be seen this season, but will probably make an appearance in the fall when it will be repurposed.

First things first.  Here is the list of materials:

• One large pot with a drain hole
• Organic potting soil
• Herbs: we have several basil varieties, oregano, a hot pepper plant (OK, not an herb), sage, rosemary, arugula, thyme, parsley, etc etc etc
• gloves, a digging tool, scissors (for cutting soil bag open)

We had to drill a hole, but you can find several pots with holes or a little removable plug

I found these cute gloves at Target. I love the toggles at the wrist so you can easily adjust its aperture

Here is a shot of the beautiful colors on the inside

Fill the pot with the organic potting soil leaving two inches on top to prevent a big mess when you water

I'm not growing mushrooms this year, so I added this one just for fun

Dig a whole and put the plant in, generally herbs are easy creatures whose only demand is some water when they are dry, so don't worry too much about which plant will require what. I try to plant the trailing herbs such as oregano and thyme in the front and place the taller one in the back.

Make sure to tap in at the base of the plant to stabilize it and get rid of big air pockets

Water it through... this thorough watering will get rid of any air pockets that might dry out the roots

And TA-DA...  You are all done.  Ready to enjoy the results of your not so hard work.  Everyday, check to see if it needs a drink.  Just stick your finger in the dirt down to a half and inch to one inch.  If you feel moisture, the plants are happy.  If it is dry, give it another good drink.

AFTER

These are looking a little tired right now, but once the leaves dry they will perk right up.  In a couple of days I should be seeing new growth, which usually comes in with a lighter shade of green.  Some of the herbs will be tossed out when it gets really warm... some will be transplanted in the garden in the Fall to come back again next year. 

Growing herbs is so easy and rewarding.  Just brushing by the leaves and enjoying the fragrance is an experience to share with your kids and loved ones.  Add to that the benefit of having fresh herbs to enhance any boring ol' meal...  They become indispensable to me.  I hope you give it a try.

Don't forget to stop by on Wednesday... Great adventures are ahead of us with a new series I will be unveiling...  It involves some fabulous bloggers who are willing to share their talent with all of us.  But that is all I am saying for now!  I promise you it will not disappoint!