If you are new to growing herbs or if you live in an apartment or condo and don't have room for a garden, this post is for you. The Herb Basket is the easiest and most useful herb use that I have come across. You only need a few items to get started and the rewards are great.
You will need the following:
1. A good sturdy container. It can be a twig, bamboo or grapevine basket. I prefer a container with a handle for ease in moving around. I chose a grapevine basket and found it very convenient to carry it from the patio to the kitchen when cooking. The basket should measure a minimum of 9 inches wide, 12 inches long, and 6 inches deep.
2. You will need enough rich, well draining potting soil to fill you basket. You may add a handful of verniculite to improve the drainage.
3. You will need a small piece of 3 mil black plastic to line the basket. Cut to size and allow enough to come up the sides also. Punch small holes in the plastic to allow water to drain. I have found that a pair of scissorsd does a good job.
4. A good selection of herbs from your nursery. You will probably find that you will want to make more than one basket. I did. Each basket can be tailored to a specific purpose. If you are a cook that loves fresh herbs, you can fashion a basket to your tastes. If you love to cook Italian, pick your herbs to reflect that particular taste.... parsley, oregano, and basil. Add herbs that you particularily like. In the next post, I will give you ideas for specific herb baskets.
That's it!
To assemble your basket line it with your plastic. Fill the basket half full with potting soil. Remove your herb plants from their pots and carefully loosen the root ball. Place the herbs 3-4 inches apart. Cover with more potting soil. Water lightly and put your basket outdoors where it gets sun at least 4 hours a day. If you live in a very hot climate place your basket where it will get less sun each day.
Water frequently, taking care not to water too much. To counteract the leaching effects of the watering, feed once weekly with fish emulsion that you can purchase at any nursery. If you live in a colder climate, where you can't leave your basket outdoors all year, you can grow them inside in a sunny window. Again, make sure that your basket gets at least 4 hours of sun a day. If you don't have a good sunny window, you can harvest you herbs and dry them for use through the winter. Make sure that you use your herbs. Clip them at least 2-3 times a week. This keeps the plants growing and prevents them from getting leggy and out of control. The only thing left to do is enjoy.
A good idea is to make the basket a centerpiece for your table during meals. People can enjoy clipping and eating their own fresh herbs. This is a great idea for seniors who do not have the space or the mobility to have a full garden. They also make wonderful gifts for housewarmings and kitchen showers. There are also many herbs that are tied to weddings through folklore and make wonderful bridal shower gifts. Make sure that you include a small card with information about what herbs are in your basket and maybe a recipe or information about how to care for the basket. I have seen some darling small plant markers that can also be inserted into the basket and they are really cute.
Please check back for a listing of palnts for specific uses and some great recipies for cooking with herbs.
