Herbs in Pots and Containers

Thinking of growing your own fresh herbs? Thyme is one of the easiest herbs to grow, as French Thymewell as one of the most versatile. Like most herbs, it is best planted in full sun and needs well-drained soil. It grows well in containers, too.

During the first year, harvest sparingly. Leaves can be harvested throughout the summer by cutting stems, but the flavor is best just before flowering. To dry, cut stems just as the flowers begin to open–dried thyme retains its flavor better than many herbs.

'French' Thyme

Slow to release flavor; thyme is usually added early in the cooking process; but it is a strong flavor, a little goes a long way. When cooking, use 1/3 as much dried as fresh thyme. In the garden, or in pots, thyme mixes well with lavender, rosemary, basil, and oregano.

Supertunia

Supertunia- ” The Queen of Petunias” Supertunias bloom from early spring until frost, with a slight fragrance especially late in the afternoon and early evening. To really show off in their trailing habit, place them in a hanging basket or container, as a ground cover on a slope, or cascading over a wall. In containers, feed them weekly or every two weeks with an all purpose fertilizer to promote continuous bloom. With their funnel-shaped flowers, they are sure to attract hummingbirds and butterflies. No dead-heading required and once established, they will tolerate dry conditions. They like full sun, have a vigorous growth habit and are pet friendly. They come in a wide range of colors, including red, white, and blue for your Memorial Day and Fourth of July decorating, as well as pink.

Million Bells

Calibrachoa (Million Bells)- Resembles mini petunias, with plants covered in hundreds of blooms from spring to fall. Long branches of flowers cascade over the sides of baskets and containers, attracting butterflies and hummingbirds. Million Bells is “self-cleaning”–no deadheading needed, the old flowers just drop from the plant. For best results, grow in full sun and fertilize at least every two weeks throughout the growing season. Million Bells also come in a wide range of colors!

Spring is here and at Behnke’s we have beautiful cool weather annuals just waiting to bring smiles. Now is the best time to take a few pansies, ranunculus and primroses and create an early spring container garden for your deck or patio. These cool weather flowers are just the ticket! Every color you could wish for.

If it’s herbs you’re thinking about, we have just the right flavors for you.  Start with the classic Italian perennials herbs–thyme, rosemary, and oregano–to create your own Italian garden. Add your basil at the end of April or later, when it’s reliably warm. Basil needs heat to thrive. Select one of the many beautiful pots we have located at both of our garden centers, some soil and and of course your herbs, and you’re good to go!

Add your basil at the end of April or later, when it’s reliably warm. Basil needs heat to thrive. Select one of the many beautiful pots we have located at both of our garden centers, some soil and and of course your herbs, and you’re good to go!

Behnke’s also has EarthBoxes, great containers to plant your herbs and vegetables in. Now would be the time to select your lettuce and other cool season vegetables. Plant them to enjoy salad in a few weeks time.

The patented EarthBox was developed by commercial farmers and proven in the lab and on the farm. The maintenance-free, award-winning, high-tech growing system controls soil conditions, eliminates guesswork and more than doubles the yield of a conventional garden-with less fertilizer, less water and virtually no effort. EarthBox comes in terracotta or green.

Click here to find out just how tough and useful in the garden the humble pansy is.

Photo credit.

Click here to learn about ornamental cabbage and kale, from the pen (actually, keyboard) of Larry Hurley.

Photo credit.