Herbs in a raised bed

Hi to all...
frankly I am no herb expert whatsoever!
Due to the fact that I have been asked to create a raised herb bed I turn to G.C. for some help and ideas.

Are there some herbs that work well together and some that don't, for whatever reasons? Obviously height, habit, leaf size can affect the relationship but what about smell or other things I may not have had the capacity to contemplate?

Thoughts will be highly appreciated!

Kind regards
Roy

 

Their are three categorys you could plant thenm in..Kitchen herbs .. medicinal herbs .. or fragrant herbs..all in seperate groups..or you could put them in groups of several different sages ..mints etc..They will all grow along side each other without any problem but some are very invasive..if i was growing a garden for the public to enjoy i think i would split it into the three sections..my herbs are all mixed in with the wildflowers at the moment but i will be seperating mine when i move from here..if you want any ideas of which herbs go in which groups then let me know and i will try to help you..some of the others may have ideas for you as well..

 

hi wildflower, i have a little garden plot which in which i d like to have as a herb garden, are there any good illustrated books, i want it to have gravel paths, and definately some taller plants at the back .... for some reason rosemary does not often grow very tall round here, unless it is against a south facing wall

 

I got a book out of our town library all about herbs.

It is called 'practical herb garden' and is by Jessica Houdret.

The book gives you all information about the three types of herbs (as wildflower said) and their history. It gives suggestions on how to make and design your own herb garden and finally it gives you all the details on many herbs which includes their history, description, habitat, growth, which parts are used and what their uses are.

It is really helpful book. Might be worth looking at so you can get an idea of what is achievable in a raised bed.

Good luck!

 

Badsal ..you beat me too it i was just going to type that book title in for the lady gardener ..its on sale at amazon quite cheap..
the rhs book of herbs also has some good ideas.. I dont know if any of you have the works shops by you but i bought practical herb garden from their for about �£3 they sell bankrupt stock so their are allways lots of bargains and lots of herb/wildflower books..if you dont have the works use amazon..

 

I keep trying the library Badsal but they are so limited and I don't really wish to wait for weeks on end to get this or that particular book.

I take it WildFlower that the "Works" is one of these bargain basement book shops? None round here unfortunately but Amazon is a good second choice.
I've got a couple of herb books bought from Amazon but they are both US-based. Stupid on my part but lots of the info is still entirely relevant. Maybe I should hire Jekka McVicar to design the raised bed for me. Maybe not... I know she charges by the second!

Many thanks!
Roy

 

Hi Royster!!!!

I now have a raised bed outside the kitchen door which is empty - and am planning to fill it with herbs ready for cooking..... as it is right outside the door, it needs to look good all year too. I am having a scout around, and I shall let you know what I find if you like.... If its culinery herbs you want, I'm looking at mint, sage, thyme,parsley, rosemary, basil, oregano, chives, lavender.... and anything else I have room for or just fancy!!!! I know its not terribly exciting, but should taste good!!!

 

Keep me posted please Honey Bee, keep me posted!
Many thanks and looking forward...!
Royster

 

Jekka mcvicar has got a lovely site and you can sign up for a monthly newsletter as some of you know i really admire her and have all her books and was lucky enough to speak with her this summer..I think her herbs are more expensive than the ones i buy from barwinock herbs..but she has a good collection including the incense plant which is hard to grow and keep..
http://www.jekkasherbfarm.com/

 

This company is brilliant and really cheap..Their catalogues are out now you can request them online..

http://www.barwinnock.com/

Barwinnock herb nursery grows culinary herbs, medicinal plants, fragrant leaf plants and wildflowers using organic gardening principles.
Plants are available by mail order or by visiting the herb garden at Barwinnock, Ayrshire, Scotland. There are plants for herbal remedies, gourmet cooking or for dyes, cosmetics and potpourri

[ 01. October 2006, 06:47 AM: Message edited by: wildflower ]

 

These have also got a really good selection including planters for herbs..bird boxes etc etc..and a good selection of wildflowers/herbs..
http://www.wigglywigglers.co.uk/

 

Thanks for that info WildFlower! So, Barwinnock is the place for herbs! Next time I'm in the area I'll really have to check out the nursery. Although born and bred in Edinburgh I have a particular passion for Ayrshire so would really look forward to the journey.
Kind regards
Roy