Start a garden in a pot for warm-weather herbs, such as basil, marjoram and oregano, through midsummer. Planting and care requires a minimum of time and effort.
Here's how to do it.
• Select pots with holes in the bottom or sides, so excess water can escape.
• Choose large pots, such as 12- to 24-inch-diameter planters. Choose plastic or composition planters instead of clay, which allows water to evaporate from the soil quickly.
• Use a potting mix that drains well. Add a time-release fertilizer, which will feed plants throughout the growing season.
• At this late date, it's probably best to buy bedding plants from your nursery. Set plants in the container at the same depth or just slightly deeper than they were growing in their pots.
• Water containers thoroughly when you finish planting. Spread mulch over the soil.
• To test soil for dryness, poke your finger into the soil: If it feels dry to a depth of two inches, water.
If you're interested in books on growing herbs,
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-- Homes & Gardens staff
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