How to Hang an Herb Garden

Overview

Growing herbs in the home garden provides a supply of fresh herbs for your culinary and decorating needs. Planting them near the kitchen makes harvesting quick and easy. Although many prefer to grow herbs in the ground, hanging them near the door or on the deck is always an option if space is limited, or you simply want the added convenience of herbs at your fingertips.

Step 1

Fill a hanging grow bag with lightweight potting soil. A mixture of equal parts all-purpose potting soil, perlite and peat moss makes a good soil for growing in hanging baskets.

Step 2

Select the herbs you prefer, but limit your choices to dwarf or miniature varieties. Thyme produces delicate leaves and trails naturally making it an excellent choice for a grow bag. Look for variegated varieties like lemon thyme for a boost of flavor and to add color and texture to your hanging herb garden. Miniature basil, dwarf sage, creeping savory and compact oregano work well in hanging planters.

Step 3

Insert the root ball of the herb seedlings into the precut holes in the bag, moving soil to the side to make a hole for the roots. Gently firm the soil around the roots.

Step 4

Plant trailing herbs, like thyme near the bottom of the grow bag to allow them to trail from the bottom and prevent them from interfering with other herbs. Consider the size and shape of the herb when arranging in the grow bag.

Step 5

Add larger upright herbs to the top of the bag. Chives or nasturtiums provide a striking display of color and add height to the hanging garden. Purple ruffles oregano paired with lemon balm provides a nice contrast in texture and color.

Step 6

Water thoroughly and lay the bag flat for several days while the plants become accustomed to their new environment. Once plants are securely rooted, (they will resist your efforts when you tug lightly) hang the bag in a sunny area.

Step 7

Pinch out center leaves and use for your culinary needs to keep plants compact and encourage dense growth. If plans become leggy or overgrown, cut back to within a few inches of the base of the plant to maintain size and shape.

Step 8

Water when soil becomes dry by pouring water through the top of the bag. If the grow bag becomes over dry and watering results in water running freely through the planting holes, lie it down on a flat surface and water through the planting holes. Grow bags dry out quickly in the summer sun. Monitor closely for wilting or signs of stress and provide additional water.