Herb Garden Plans / Ideas

[GrimChili]

Hello All!

First off, I haven't been here in ages! Hello Again!

I have an idea to get a nice herb garden/border on the go this year, herbs are my chillies this year! I've bought a ton of seeds to go with what I would call 'standard herbs' (basils, rosemary, thyme, chives, dill...). The planting area is a border 3-4 ft deep ad about 8-10 ft long...

Some of the stuff I've ordered or already had as well: Borage, Hyssop, St Johns Wort, Soapwort, Wild Strawberry, Echinacea, Chamomile, Feverfew, Chervil, Lovage, Marigolds and a few other bits...

I'm feeling a little overwhelmed with trying to plan it all out?!? I've got a bunch of chives, some lavender and other bits which I've sown, some have come up... I also have last years mint which I'll pot up and bury in the ground... My main worry is getting the height ordering right, I don't want it to look all regimented but that's the only thing I'm used too...

If anyone has any tips on what would look good together, what would look good at the back - middle - front... Suggestions of me herb seeds I can manically order when I'm late night browsing!!! Perhaps some suggestions of small plants to buy and chuck in as well to fill it up abit quick... (you know those 6 for £10 deals on small thyme, lavender, rosemary garden centre ones...)?

Any advice as always very much appreciated!!

Cheers
GrimChili

[KittyColdNose]

Hello!

Feverfew grows tall and bushy, so does lemon balm. Borage can get tallish too and falls over, at least all mine did, so needs support or place it nearer the front and let it do it's thing. How about cress too? Last year it grew to knee height and made a nice border along the outside of a raised bed.

[KittyColdNose]

Oh, and I understand that lavender and rosemary can cross pollinate.

[AllInContainers]

I'm tempted to suggest doing it in pots and planters, and that's not just me banging on about my style of gardening. Some of the ones you mentioned are annual, others perennial, and all growing to different sizes at different rates. It seems to me that it would be much easier to manage if you have a herb garden in planters and "arrange to suit" depending on how each one grows. It will also stop the thugs taking over

[snakeshack]

If you plant the mint out,plant it out by leaving it in a pot sunk in the ground otherwise it will spread uncontrollably and take over the whole bed,it's a really invasive plant!


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[mothhawk]

Lovage is a six footer that will fill the width of your bed easily, and will grow a thick root, so plan carefully where you want it.

Plan where to put the perennials first, like rosemary, sage, thyme, chives, oregano. The annuals and self seeders (basil, dill, marigold etc) can fill in the gaps, and you are free to change them around the next year if they didn't suit where you had them.

[SoulBroNo1]

Mint is extremely resistant and invasive. Ours has survived being burnt and lawnmowered.

[GrimChili]

Thanks for the great advice guys!

I will take it all on board!

Cheers Again