PLANTING HERBS IN RAISED BEDS

PLANTING HERBS IN RAISED BEDS- learn how to plant and care for herbs for decorating and cooking

This post is sponsored by Gardener’s Supply Company.

I love herbs. They are like a little gift that keeps on giving! The more you cut them the more they grow and the more they grow the more you can cut them! Circle of life, of sorts. There are so many great things about herbs and even more scrumptious and decorative ways to use them! I like to have herbs on my patio in a kitchen garden. Let’s talk about how to grow herbs and care for them.

 

Now, let’s talk herbs!!!!

PLANTING HERBS IN RAISED BEDS- learn how to plant and care for herbs for decorating and cooking

This year I got a late start planting herbs. But there really isn’t such thing as a late start. Herbs can be planted anytime from spring to early fall! It’s just later than I would have liked. But I’m so glad I waited. Look at these beautiful galvanized raised beds from Gardener’s Supply Company I got to plant them in!!!

Having a kitchen herb garden is a must here at StoneGable!  The herb garden, this year, is in two handsomely styled galvanized raised beds on our patio. They are the perfect height! No bending at all! Just lots of puttering and snipping!

PLANTING HERBS IN RAISED BEDS- learn how to plant and care for herbs for decorating and cooking

I particularly love their galvanized sides! Such an updated look!

PLANTING HERBS IN RAISED BEDS- learn how to plant and care for herbs for decorating and cooking

Here’s how I planted my kitchen herb garden!

Most herbs are such hearty and unfussy fellows! They don’t need a whole lot of special attention or care. They just need some good soil to grow in. Make sure you start your plants off right with good quality soil. I chose Gardener’s Supply Company Potting Soil with super root booster.

PLANTING HERBS IN RAISED BEDS- learn how to plant and care for herbs for decorating and cooking

Bobby is quite the gardener and he helped me fill the beds with the potting soil. 

PLANTING HERBS IN RAISED BEDS- learn how to plant and care for herbs for decorating and cooking

Do you see those white capillaries? They are part of the raised bed self-watering system. Water goes in a reservoir under the raised beds and the capillary tubes send water to the soil when needed! Ingenious! 

A little gauge lets me know how full it is. Brilliant!

Because herbs like to be on the dryer side, I can regulate the water without guesswork!

In the fall I’m thinking about planting lettuce in one raised bed. Lettuce needs lots of water so I can keep the reservoir full and my raised bed will water the lettuce for me!

PLANTING HERBS IN RAISED BEDS- learn how to plant and care for herbs for decorating and cooking

Here’s how the containers look without soil…

PLANTING HERBS IN RAISED BEDS- learn how to plant and care for herbs for decorating and cooking

And here are the raised bed containers ready for plants.

PLANTING HERBS IN RAISED BEDS- learn how to plant and care for herbs for decorating and cooking

We rolled the beds into position on our patio and began filling them with my favorite herbs! The frame and casters are very well made. The casters even have locks on them. Good thing, we can get some pretty strong winds here.

As the sun makes its way across the patio I can roll my herb garden to the sunniest spots on my patio where the herbs do best! The herbs and flowers I picked like sun… lots of sun!

PLANTING HERBS IN RAISED BEDS- learn how to plant and care for herbs for decorating and cooking

I use fresh herbs all summer in much of my cooking and to create beautiful and aromatic bouquets in my home! 

Compound butters, infused oils, herb vinegars and drying herbs are all ways to preserve the glorious flavor of herbs! I even feeze many of my herbs!

This year I planted my favorites in the kitchen herb garden! Here they are waiting next to my porch to be planted!

PLANTING HERBS IN RAISED BEDS- learn how to plant and care for herbs for decorating and cooking

And here are a few planted in the galvanized raised beds…

I planted both curly and flat leaf parsley. Flat leaf has a little more flavor, but I grew up cutting the curly parsley that grew on the side of grandmother’s home. My grandmother, Nani, taught me not to be afraid to snip herbs liberally because a good clip makes them grow more! For herbs like basil that will flower and bolt it’s a good idea to keep the flowers trimmed often! I have kitchen scissors that go with me every time I’m out on the patio. 

I like to cut herbs in the morning and put them in a glass of water on my counter. Such a pretty little bouquet that I can use as I cook.  

PLANTING HERBS IN RAISED BEDS- learn how to plant and care for herbs for decorating and cooking

Parsley is an herb that can be used for both cooking and as a finishing herb.  Think about using parsley to impart flavor to soups, stew, marinades, and sauces! 

To freeze fresh parsley I just cut a fresh bunch, rinse it off, dry it completely (don’t miss this step) and stick it in a zip-type bag and off it goes into the freezer. When I want to use it I cut off what I want and put the rest back until I need it again!

It’s probably the most versatile herb in any garden!

PLANTING HERBS IN RAISED BEDS- learn how to plant and care for herbs for decorating and cooking

Basil is my very favorite herb in the raised bed garden. To me, it’s the taste of summer. Basil will grow like a weed in the right conditions and give you lots and lots of tender and delicious leave to create PESTO… aka green gold!

It’s wonderful as a finishing herb in sauces and adds bright fresh flavors to marinades. And garden fresh tomatoes and basil is a sublime pairing! 

PLANTING HERBS IN RAISED BEDS- learn how to plant and care for herbs for decorating and cooking

Oregano is another easy to grow plant for an herb garden. It has such pretty little leaves. But don’t let these dainty leaves fool you! They have a strong, biting flavor!!!!

This plant is amazing in sauces like spaghetti and it infuses an earthy flavor to roasted chicken. Oregano is excellent to dry and use in cooking!

PLANTING HERBS IN RAISED BEDS- learn how to plant and care for herbs for decorating and cooking

I like to plant annual salvia with my herbs. This plant creates beautiful blue spikes on cobalt blue stems. It looks so pretty in an herb garden and in a bouquet too! You can see a young salvia plant behind the oregano in the picture above!

Aromatic, fresh mint went into the raised bed this year. I love mint to flavor ice tea and desserts and to use as a garnish. I also love to cut a bunch and use it as a little bouquet next to the beds in my guest rooms. 

I would never dream of adding mint to my regular garden because mint is hugely invasive! It will take over a garden if left to its own devices. But I’m adding it to my raised bed garden this year! I’ll be able to keep an eye on it and as it puts out roots and spreads I’ll be able to cut them back. 

PLANTING HERBS IN RAISED BEDS- learn how to plant and care for herbs for decorating and cooking

I also planted two varieties of thyme, rosemary, and sage in the kitchen garden. Along with them, I companion planted Angelonia (white blooming spikes, Salvia (blue spikes) and marigolds.

PLANTING HERBS IN RAISED BEDS- learn how to plant and care for herbs for decorating and cooking

These flowers do very well with herbs as they don’t need a lot of water and love the sun. I particularly love marigolds. They were my Nani’s favorite.

PLANTING HERBS IN RAISED BEDS- learn how to plant and care for herbs for decorating and cooking

I’m very excited to see my kitchen herb garden grow. I’ll update you in a few weeks when the herbs are grown in and lush! And I’ll be sharing some recipes that use my herbs too!

How about you? Wouldn’t you like to plant an herb garden too? Get started!!!!

You might also like…

FREEZING HERBS… SAVING SUMMER FRESHNESS

HERB BOUQUETS IN THE KITCHEN

 

PERFECT PESTO THE TASTE OF SUMMER

 

Remember to follow me on Pinterest and see what I’m finding to pin every day HERE.

PLANTING HERBS IN RAISED BEDS- learn how to plant and care for herbs for decorating and cooking

This post is sponsored by Gardener’s Supply Company but the opinions are 100% mine. You might want to check out their site. They have almost everything you could imagine for gardening!

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48 Comments

  1. Love the new planters. Definitely can appreciate the height as I get older and find getting down on my hands and knees difficult. Like your combos with flowers and herbs. One small correction.The white flowers pictured are Angelonia not Angelic

  2. Sorry My tablet acting up.Meant to say not Angelica a perennial. Angelonia is a wonderful annual for planters and comes in many colors. Thanks Yvonne.

    1. Hi Kathy! You are the reason I love my readers so so much!!! Thanks! I do know that Angelica is a perennial… just got the names mixed up!

      Thanks for the picking up on that and setting us straight! You must be a gardener.

  3. Nan, Odessa, DE says:

    Thank you for inspiring everyone to grow and use herbs.
    There is scripture that indicates they were also used in the manager.
    Happy 4th!

    “Let us not forget that freedom is not FREE.” Unknown

  4. Anne Marie says:

    This is something I have always wanted to do – thanks for inspiring me! Love yhour planters.

  5. It is so wonderful to go the garden and harvest fresh herbs. I love your planters and plan to check them out for purchase. Looking forward to you sharing your recipes. Enjoy your holiday weekend.

  6. I too use herbs in flower arrangements, lovely scents!

  7. The planters are great! No bending and stopping!!

  8. Crystal Brazil says:

    Love herbs. I have rosemary and chocolate mint. Basil just sprouted. Rosemary is my favorite for cooking.

  9. Love the planters and the way you have added annuals along with the herbs! Looks great!

  10. Lorri Rauscher says:

    Your planters are lovely. I always plant a herb garden. I also grind up parsley , put it in ice cube trays then use it all winter long…mmmm it taste so good in soups, pasta dishes, egg recipes. I was too late to make your chive vinegar .I love those purple flowers in the bottle. I know I still could make it.Keep those beautiful pics of yr garden coming..Such eye candy to a gardener!! ?

  11. mattsgramma says:

    I am interested in learning more about the watering system in your new raised bed planters. Will be checking into this further. Also looking forward to your recipes incorporating your luscious herbs.

  12. Your herbs look great in the raised bed. I always have some growing on my deck so the animals can’t get to them.

  13. Lisa Matarazzo says:

    Dear Yvonne ~ I too love having a couple of raised bed planters on the deck off my kitchen. It’s so therapeutic to walk out there and clip a few herbs to use while making dinner. On another note, I’m taking your advice and using the tips and tricks podcast to listen to while I make my way through each room – 30 minutes is perfect timing to blast through the process of organizing and tidying up! I love the gray episode. Happy Fourth!

  14. Portia Read says:

    I remember when you did the herb garden last summer Yvonne. I was stuck in bed post op after two foot surgeries. It sounded so nice that this year I’ve planted in pots on the deck some basil, oregano, thyme, rosemary and parsley and dill. Basil is my favorite too. My sister already made a batch of pesto from her garden and shared with me.
    Something is eating them though. Not sure what. I hope they pull through.

  15. Victoria Schwalbe says:

    I have lots of herbs in pots on my patio. I made batch number one of pesto from my shrub size basil. I freeze it in plastic ice cube trays pop them out and store in freezer bags. I toss a couple in soups or use in a panini, a wrap, for a taste of summer all winter. I use purple basil for vinegar and the color is gorgeous. We do LOTS of pickles and grow dill in rows in our garden. Fresh dill on buttered new potatoes.yumm .

  16. Beautiful! Do you plant your own zinnias too? They are always so beautiful in your bouquets. What kind do you plant?

  17. love herbs!…always have trouble with rosemary..i have killed a few…any suggestions ? truly LOVE the smell and taste!

  18. i am not a fan of herds but I am not a cook either but they would be good planters for more flowers. I love flowers.

  19. I love having herbs close to the house and planting them in raise beds or tubs seems like such a sensible idea, they can be easily picked for the kitchen or for adding some flavour to the barbecue. Have a lovely weekend x

  20. I love your herb gardens! When a neighbor died, his family gave me a whole stack of old galvanized tubs. With 3 of them I drilled holes into the bottoms and made herb planters. I can usually get about 5 or 6 plants into one and they are really handy by my back door.

  21. Genius idea, planters on wheels, easy on the knees and back.
    They are a great addition to your patio.

  22. Love your post and gardening containers and all the herbs. This sounds like so much fun.

  23. I grow basil,tomatoes,parsley. There is nothing as good as chopped basil and a fresh tomato! I love to make bruchetta using my home grown tomatoes. Love the raised beds.

  24. Karen VanLoo says:

    I love your raised planters! They’re beautiful and could be used for so many things. Fresh herbs are simply the best. I always buy mine at the market, but it sure would be fun to grow your own in those planter boxes. How fun! Have a wonderful weekend!

  25. I have a wonderful herb garden and have just got my sister starting one for her birthday. She was just diagnosed with Stage 4 Ovarian Cancer and all the good and healty herbs will definitely help her with her diet. I found a little handbook called “The Herb
    Bible” and for all of you who love fresh herbs; it’s a must have in your library. SANDY

  26. Carol Elkins says:

    Love your planters and the fact that you are growing your own herbs!

  27. These planters are awesome! It gives me an idea for my mom– she is only planting tomatoes in large pots now, (she’s 89) but something raised like this might easier for her to work with! Thanks for sharing. I LOVE potted rosemary, I like to just wave my hand over it to release the scent.

  28. I love fresh herbs but unfortunately I seem to have trouble growing them. I do not have a green thumb! I think I’ll plant some and let my husband take care of them!

    1. Carol, herbs need such little care. Make sure they get enough sun and just a little water. They like to be snipped and also make sure they are in good nutrient rich soil

  29. Loving the new planters. Some of us don’t bend over like we used to. The perfect solution

  30. The galvanized containers are awesome!! I do have raised beds that my husband built for me a few years back and I have planted herbs in one, differs lettuce varieties in another, & tomatoes in another! They are right out the back door! Fresh herbs are great & especially those little bouquets mixed a few flowers! Love it!

  31. Bonnie Gutierrez says:

    I love the idea of containers for a kitchen garden and those planters with irrigation is genius! My SIL has been using these for her vegetables grown on a deck and has quite the crop.

    Yvonne, your herb and flower bouquet is lovely. Thanks for the tips!

  32. Great post to end out June. I’ve enjoyed everyone of your posts and learned so many great tips and tricks. I’m married to an Italian guy and he has to have his pasta at least once a week-no kidding. So as you see I have to keep bushels of basil and oregano on hand. I really love the way you incorporated blooms into the beds and especially those that cascade down the sides. My yard is full of perennials especially container gardens. I’m visualizing spaghetti with homemade marinara sauce paired with a great bottle of Vino this weekend.
    Arrivederci!!!

      1. Si siete invitati a cenare (Yes you are welcome to dine)

  33. Those are neet containers and on rollers too !

  34. Karen Cook says:

    Bet the mint wins! I’ve had it walk from pot to pot way down the row.

  35. Dearest Yvonne,
    Wow, what a lovely idea and so practical for having raised beds on wheels for growing herbs!
    Your climate is very good it seems like, for growing health herbs.
    Thanks for sharing this.
    Wishing you and yours a Happy 4th of July!
    Mariette

  36. Wow…..those planters are genius!!!! At almost 80 years old I appreciate those legs underneath! Thanks for featuring them….one will be listed at the top of my birthday list.

  37. Janice Davis says:

    I love herbs but have difficulty growing them. I think I water them too much. My oregano rotted and finally died. Next time I will take it easy on the water.

  38. Haven’t read all the comments so someone may have already mentioned it. But I’d plant the mint in small flower pots and bury the pots in your larger planter. That mint will grow like a house afire and it’s a hassle to fight with. I grow mine in pots on my west facing patio (New Orleans). When I’m done I throw it all out and start new the following year if I’m in the mood for mint. I only grow it for the fragrance anyway.

  39. Love this post!! Great gardening tips. I need this rolling raised bed?