Container Garden 411

How will you feed your herbs? What are your herb container garden soil needs? Soaking wet soil is not the same as soil that is moist. Do a touch test of the soil in each in your herb container garden pot with your thumb. If it feels damp, like towel-dried hair that’s moist while dry soil will feel hard to the touch. That was the touch method. Of course, a more accurate way to test the moisture level under the surface is with a moisture gauge or I’ve even stuck a toothpick into the soil. Pull out the moisture gauge or toothpick to see if you have dry or moist. If so, feed it some water.

When you water, your plants do it with care. Root rot due too much moisture is the most regular issue with container plants. While some plants are fine if they remain wet at all times, not herbs. They are more comfortable if things are kept slightly dryer. Sage much prefers a drier soil, while peppermint likes feeling moist.

Your herb container garden will thrive in well-drained soil.  For example, basil grows well in warm soil and dry air, but is stunted in the cold.   So make sure that your herbs have the right growing and soil conditions and of course, drainage.

Proper preparation and maintenance of the moisture content of the soil is very important for the herb container garden. For example, you can use a mix of both sandy and clay soil. Clay chips are good for holding moisture or retaining it, but in a container, they can suck up and hold water for long periods, maybe too long. So, test out this combination in one or two containers before you incorporate it as a practice.  Finally, if you use compost or potting soil it must be specifically suited to the herbs you are planting in your herb container garden.

See Also: 3 Tips For A Successful Herb Container Garden