Flower bed to herbs/veg

[Jimmy]

The front of the house has a patch about 8 foot square. It gets full sun till late afternoon.
It's always been a bit of a barren patch with some weird heather like shrubs sprawling across it.

Grunt, sweat, cuss a bit and it's gone. Treated rest to a dose of contact weedkiller.

Plan on digging it to get worst out and covering with membrane.
Then planting some nice herbs. Thyme, Sage, Tarragon etc.

Any other suggestions for nice tasty herbs that look nice and will stay in for a few years ?

Thanks
Jimmy

[burnie]

Just check they like partial shade is all I'd say, but sounds like a great idea to me. I can't do it as most of my front garden is in shade for large parts of the year as it's north facing. I do a nice line in mosses and lichens though, front lawn is 40% moss so only needs mowing once a month which is a bonus.

[Jimmy]

Just check they like partial shade is all I'd say, but sounds like a great idea to me. I can't do it as most of my front garden is in shade for large parts of the year as it's north facing. I do a nice line in mosses and lichens though, front lawn is 40% moss so only needs mowing once a month which is a bonus.

Don't knock moss, I fell of my ladder once and the mossy landing was most appreciated.
Jimmy

[veggiechicken]

How about Bay, different coloured sage (green, purple, variegated), oregano/marjoram also comes in different colours, lavender (of is that too flowery?), rosemary (upright and prostrate)...........

[Penellype]

Chives are nice and grow in partial shade. Garlic chives have white flowers and a garlicky taste.

[Jimmy]

Got some chives and garlic chives in back garden.
How about tarragon?
RHS says French better than Russian but can't seem to find a source for French Tarragon seeds ?
Jimmy

[bario1]

Sorrel? I grew common sorrel and red veined sorrel last year and they're indestructible. Just this weekend I pulled up most of the red veined stuff because I didn't like the taste - it had foot long taproots like docks (i think they're related) but i left a few because they're very ornamental and a few leaves make a nice addition to a salad. The common sorrel has beautiful lime green leaves and tastes nice, very lemony, great for pesto. I'm also going to try 'true sorrel' this year where the red veined stuff was.

[happyhumph]

Fennel as well - really pretty especially if you get the purple one.

[Jimmy]

I thought bushy herbs would be nice and easy.
It's on a slight slope so though of growing pumpkin or squash plants down it.
Jimmy

[Jimmy]

Can you get French Tarragon Seeds ?
Is it hardy or will winter kill it ?
Or should I grow Russian Tarragon ?
Thanks
Jimmy

[happyhumph]

French tarragon is normally grown from cuttings not seed so you'll need to buy a plant & propogater from it. Really is much much better flavoured than Russian.

Frost tender, so best in a pot or dug up in autumn then protected over winter. I had some for 2 years but forgot to take it in the second winter and it died

[Jimmy]

French tarragon is normally grown from cuttings not seed so you'll need to buy a plant & propogater from it. Really is much much better flavoured than Russian.

Frost tender, so best in a pot or dug up in autumn then protected over winter. I had some for 2 years but forgot to take it in the second winter and it died

Useful info, probably get some plants and take cuttings to grow on in GH for next year.
Jimmy

[happyhumph]

I wasn't going to buy any more plants for a while but I did love having tarragon - may have to get some....

[Lumpy]

How about a couple of different mints? They are complete thugs so best planted in bottomless buckets but if you leave them to flower the bees etc go into a feeding frenzy.

Oh and it smells nice too

[Jimmy]

How about a couple of different mints? They are complete thugs so best planted in bottomless buckets but if you leave them to flower the bees etc go into a feeding frenzy.

Oh and it smells nice too

Mints out back in those black flower buckets MFBs I believe they are referred to as.
Did have a variety pineapple, chocolate, spearmint etc. But lost them through neglect, must get some more.
Jimmy