[Aim]

In the past I've tried growing herbs in a container on my deck. My chives thrive. Other stuff? Not so much.

So what is the proper way to care for potted herbs? My friend just bought me some as a thank you and I don't want to kill them. I have Oregano, chives, thyme and rosemary. How do I not kill them? They are on my deck currently. I get afternoon sun on my deck. And it gets very hot in the summer. Also- what type of fertilizer can I use on them?

Thanks.

 

[jzgrlduff]

I just started growing some this year, chives and lemon thyme. OMG the lemon thyme is growing so fast and it's so pretty. I think they need full sun, Aim, and don't let the soil get dry.

 

[blacklabelias]

How big are the pots? Make sure the pots are big enough.
Up until this year I have always had potted basil and they do great, too great really, they get so freaking big I can't keep up.
This year we have a garden.

 

[cinderbay]

i've always grown mine in a terra-cotta strawberry pot. Almost full sun all day and minimal watering because the terra-cotta holds in a ton of moisture. Of course my chives also do SUPER well. But the others did too. Thyme, basil, oregano. Sometimes my rosemary gets woody but the key to all of them is keep them cut back so they get full and not leggy and weedy.
Sadly my hubby left my pot out two winters ago and it broke! BOOB!
I have yet to find a terra cotta one in that size since.

 

[YellowJakesMom]

Be sure not to overwater. I tend to drown my herbs in love - then just steal what I need from my Mom's garden - her tarragon in about 4 feet wide, and she has oregano the same size, and she never even looks at let alone waters the things

 

[BigBrownDog]

Hard to believe that oregano won't grow for you. Mine almost took over my back yard. You may not have enough sun for them to grow if it is only sunny in the afternoon. Beware overwatering and be sure that the pot you use drains well.

 

[Allie]

I have an aerogarden and the chives were the only thing that died! The basil and mint want to take over, but my oregano and thyme are doing well, too. I think as the others said, you need more sunlight. There are a few organic fertilizers out there, but you probably shouldn't need to fertilize all that often.

 

[nellies mom]

Herbs can take tons of abuse. They do not like to be fertilized. I grow most of mine in pots on my front stoop. Unless it doesn't rain for a week I don't bother with them. I get sun from morning until about mid afternoon in that spot.

 

[Aim]

I think maybe I was overwatering them! I watered them each night with my flowers and plants.

I have chives that come back year after year. But everything else dies. lol.

 

[cinderbay]

Herbs can take tons of abuse. They do not like to be fertilized. I grow most of mine in pots on my front stoop. Unless it doesn't rain for a week I don't bother with them. I get sun from morning until about mid afternoon in that spot.

yup that is pretty much how i treat mine. I abuse and mistreat them. LOL plant 'em and forget 'em.

 

[AZLAB]

OK I grow mine in window box planters that fit over the rails to my front porch as Cinnamon loves the taste of herbs when grazing on the fine grass in the back yard.
I planted my rosemary and basil in round containers each by themselves as they get so big. Everything else oregano, thyme, mint, tarragon, chocolate mint, chives and lavender are in 2 long flower type boxes. They get sun in the morning only because it is so intense here in Phoenix. I water every other day until the water begins to run out the holes on the bottom. If it is 115F or higher they get daily water. My herbs have been growing for 3 years now straight and this system works well for me.