New Herb Bed

[The Plotter]

Hi, I have a small plot in my allotment about 7' by 8' and have grand plans for growing a multitude of herbs within. Can anybody offer any advice about what I should, and definately shouldn't grow?
Thanks in advance

[Gryfon]

Think about what sort of herbs you're likely to use and start with those first. Then if you have space expand into other things I have most of my basics now such as the rosemary, sage, thyme etc so now I'm starting to think of other things to fill the big gap I have!

[Eco-Chic]

Lovely size for a herb garden.
Plant mint in bottomless buckets because it is a thug and it will rampage over the plot. Avoid horseradish because that's another devil to eradicate.
Definately grow parsely, chives, coriander, oregano, marjoram, sage, rosemary, basil (inside until late May). Anything you'd buy to cook with really.

[rogesse]

Grow what you use most - depending on what to like to eat!

Herbs that attract insects are also great; a tall feathery fennel is beloved by hoverfly who will gobble up loads of greenfly and is a great architectural plant, and perennial. Bees love flowering chives and a new one to me - Monarda Bergamot, which is stirring up some interest on another thread. Apparently it is both beautiful and versitile.

I couldn't live without tarragon, Basil, lemon thyme, oregano or rosemary. Mint is also a basic but has to be contained otherwise it'll take over!

I can't think of anything you definately shouldn't grow with perhaps the exception of Curry Plant. I know a lot will disagree with me but I just can't stand the smell and once you've got that up your nose you won't smell any of the others

You've got a fair bit of space, you could go for a potager effect - all in together with some edible flowers (ie nasturciun) or something more formal.

Good luck with it - I'm doing mine at the moment (potager stylee) and am well chuffed so far. Finding new herbs and researching their history and uses is great fun - and addictive

[starr]

Personally I'd keep the mint out of the bed and just grow it in a container, I've only ever planted mint in a bed once and it kept appearing all over the place in the middle of other plants. I have rosemary, thyme, 2 types of sage, chives, lavender, marjoram, oregano and parsley and they all grow quite happily. If I had more space then I'd put in some rocket and garlic (wild garlic leaves taste great) as well.

[starr]

Oh, and I also have some dill in seed trays at the moment, that'll be planted out as soon as it's big enough.