shade

[margotay]

Hi everyone. I'm a bit of a newbie to all this so apologies if this has already been covered anywhere.

I have a patch just opposite my kitchen door which is ideal for herbs. It already has a very mature rosemary bush on the corner of it and lemon mint,which is far too rampant and I have to keep digging it up.

I would like to grow a bigger variety of herbs there , but for much of the day it is in the shade. Any ideas as to what else I could put there and would it be better to sink the lemon mint in a pot.I have tried to grow other varieties of mint but the lemon one seems to eat the others up !!

margo

[Paul Wagland]

Mint does tend to take over - grow it in a pot by all means, but watch for any roots that try and escape over the edge.

If your rosemary is doing well then it must be getting a bit of sun. Is the rest of the patch more shaded though? Most herbs like full sun, but there are some that will tolerate some shade. Parsley is a good choice, and chives might be worth a go too.

[margotay]

Yes, the rosemary is right on the corner so does get some sun in the morning. The rest of the patch is in shade - underneath the lounge extension window.

I'll try some parsley ( have got some chives in a more sunny spot but I could move those) . Do you think sage would have any chance there,?

margo

[Alice]

I'd go with Paul there Margo. Most herbs want full sun. And Mint needs to be contained. Don't know what the conventional wisdom is, but one year I grew oregano in 3" pot, neglected it thoroughly, kicked about the garden all winter under a tree and it was fine, so could be worth a try. Good luck.

[margotay]

Thanks - I'll have a go with those.Is it alright to plant those now ? Will have to wait a couple of days though as I'm off to the British museum in London tomorrow to see the Terracotta Army !!!

[pukka.tukka]

Hi

I grow all my herbs in pots as my garden is stoned and they all seem to do well, but then they are in sun most of the day. Except I know mint should be grown in a pot because it will take over the world, I seem to kill it.

[marialittlebzz]

You can try coriander and parsley which tolerate shade... chervil as well... and I think chives will grow anywhere ! If your rosemary is happy there so thyme should be ok, but buy the whole plants because from seeds it might be to cold. Some cut and come again salads could grow as well, like mizuna or roquette, and also lamb's lettuce....mine are on the shade and they are happy, just a little slower to grow but well...it grows !

[JohnVisual]

My herb bed only gets sun for a few hours in the morrning but my pasley, sage, chives and marjoram have all done really well (especially the sage) and i manged to even get a small crop off most of them over the winter. But my rosemary never really grew and looks on the way out, and my thyme was even worst and died after a couple of months. But then it might be the soil, or bad drainage?

[margotay]

Just back from the viewing of the Terracotta Army - awesome !! Had a super day.

Thanks for all the tips - I will certainly try the coriander and parsley and thyme. I never thought of salad leaves ,but I've got some seeds so I'll give it a whirl !!

margo

[borage]

My thyme didn't do very well in a shaded spot but the chives are growing really well, have been able to cut them for the last few weeks.