Jekka’s tips for the balcony herb gardener

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Herbs add colour and flavor to food. They are an excellent addition to any garden. We at Jekka's strongly encourage you to grow herbs, no matter how much space you have. We have written several blogs about growing herb in pots or containers as well as indoor growing of herbs. This blog is a continuation of Jekka’s blog about Small Culinary Garden Designs.

This blog is about the balcony herb gardens, because more and more people live in apartments where their only outdoor space is a small balcony. Your balcony is a little oasis of calm in an urban environment.

We have already mentioned that growing herbs is not only delicious but is also good for your health. It can be used to care for other plants or create a relaxing space. A balcony garden, which is especially important in cities and towns, can be a haven for urban pollinators. Please read Jekka’s Guide to pollinating herbs, and Jean Vernon’s guide to planting plants for bees and pollinators if this is something that you are interested in.

Raised beds can be used on larger terraces, but balcony gardens are mostly pot gardens. Both can benefit from the herbs and care described below.

How to design your balcony herb garden

The same principles of garden design that Jekka uses for a larger herb garden can be applied to a smaller space. These include:

• To create interest, use a variety in heights and types of foliage.
• It is not worth growing herbs you don't like.
• Planting herbs that require different conditions in the same pot is not a good idea. Plant herbs of the same family together. We like the Lamiaceae, which includes Rosemary and Thyme.
• If your plant is invasive, it could mean that the entire bed will be taken over or, in a container, you'll need to pot up or divide annually. This is especially true for Mint.

Growing Herbs on a Balcony

Jekka's top five tips for growing herbs in containers are:

1. Use a substrate that is gritty and well-drained to grow your herbs. (Read Jekka’s Guide to Soil). Jekka recommends using a compost that is free of peat and based on loam. To aid in drainage, you can add broken pieces of pot to your containers.
2. Feed the plants on Fridays During the growing season. Herbs grown in pots cannot get their food anywhere else. It is therefore essential to give them more than just water and love. We recommend using Maxicrop Liquid Seaweed.
3. Select the correct containers or pots to grow your herbs. Herbs such as Parsley and Coriander have deep tap roots, so they prefer a larger pot. Do not overpot your herbs, as going from a smaller to a larger pot could cause them to be stressed and die.
4. Terracotta pots are the best because they breathe and don't overheat in the sun.
5. In winter, you can protect your herbs by bringing them indoors, placing them against a brick wall or wrapping them with horticultural fabric. In summer, they need protection too, as if they're in direct sunlight, you may have to create artificial shades so that they don't get scorched. You can shade smaller pots with larger pots.

Jekka’s favourite balcony herbs

Jekka’s top 10 perennial plants for a balcony garden include:

1. Lemon Thyme
2. Rosemary
3. Oregano Spicy
4. Parsley, French or curly ( Petroselinum).
5. Salad Burnet (Sanguisorba minor)
6. Mint
7. French Tarragon (Artemisia dracunculus 'French')
8. Lemon Verbena (Aloysia citrodora)
9. Winter Savory (Satureja montana)
10. Chives (Allium)

Chives ( Allium Schoenoprasum )

Jekka’s recommendations for easy-to-grow salad and annual herbs in small spaces:

1. Jekka’s Salad Mixes include Jekka’s Eastern Salad Herb Mix Jekka’s Mustard Salad Herb Mix Jekka’s Spicy Salad Herb Mix.
   
   
2. Basils are a great addition to any garden. They also grow well in pots. We grow many different Basils, from Ocimum Basilicum Purpurascens which has dark purple leaves with pink flowers, to Ocimum Africanum. Citriodorum Bright yellow leaves with a lemon-like scent.
   
   
3. Coriander leaves and ripe seed ( Coriandrum Sativum ) have two distinct flavors; the seeds have a warm aromatic flavour and the leaves are earthy-pungency. Coridander is best grown in a pot that's deep, making it perfect for balconies.
   
   

4. Mustards like Golden and Red Frills (Brassica Juncea "Red Frills") add crunch to sandwiches and salads. They are easily grown in pots for a crop that can be harvested and replanted.

Ready to start growing? Check Jekka’s Grow at Home Salad Herb kit.

Jekka's 5 top suggestions for adding height to your herbs are:

1. Bay ( Laurus nobilis ) Bay is an essential culinary herb. Bay is a key ingredient in bouquets garni, and it's used with many milk dishes, soups, and stews.
   
   
2. Myrtle is also known as the herb for love, and the symbol of constancy. The leaves are a culinary herb that can be substituted for Bay in soups and roasted vegetables.

3. Pomegranate Punica Granatum may or may not flower in the United States depending on temperature. It has narrow, oblong, green leaves with a glossy finish that are initially bronze-coloured.
   
   
4. Lavender Lavandula will grow beautifully in a container and provide flowers which are a feast to your pollinators. Jekka recommends Lavandula agustifolia, which is tough and hardy. The plants are compact, have narrow, aromatic, grey-green leaves and compact, short flower spikes. They're perfect for pots. Do you want to learn more about lavender? Read Jekka’s guide.
   
   
5. South African wild rosemary ( Eriocephalus Africanus ) would be a great addition to a larger balcony or rooftop terrace with its aromatic, thin, hairy leaves, and daisy like white flowers that have deep maroon centers.

Note that they are large plants, and will need a big pot eventually.

Pomegranate (Punica granatum) Flowers

Jekka’s balcony herb garden planting Plan

Jekka, as with Jekka’s herb gardens for small spaces, will first try to understand what you want to do with your herbs. She will then encourage you to grow only those that will be used in your kitchen. It is especially important to do this on a small balcony.

Jekka would include in her planting plan for her balcony herb garden some of the herbs she uses and some of her favorites, including some of those mentioned above.

• Bay (Laurus nobilis)
• Lemon Verbena (Aloysia citrodora)
• Marigold ( Calendula officinalis).
• Vietnamese Coriander (Persicaria odorata)
• Spearmint is also known as Tashkent Mint or Mentha spicata "Tashkent".
• Parsley, French or curly ( Petroselinum).
• Greek Basil (Ocimum minimum 'Greek')
• Chives
• Dill (Anethum graveolens)
• Lavender Christina (Lavandula x christiana)
• Cretan Oregano (Origanum dictamnus)
• Prostrate Rosemary

Jekka's Balcony Herb Garden (120cm x 275 cm)

Do you want to know more about?

Jekka’s blog, videos and Jekka’s book ‘A Pocketful of Herbs’ or Jekka’s Complete Herb Book’ are all great resources for learning more about herbs. You can also browse Jekkapedia to find herb-based recipes and explore Jekkapedia.

Visit the herb farm at South Gloucestershire during one of our open days, master classes, or herbal experiences. (See our event calendar).

Check out the 'Jekka Seasonal Tips' series of blogs for advice on how to grow and maintain herbs. It includes information about what you can do in your herb gardens in early spring and late spring. Also, it covers summer, autumn and winter. Together, they are the foundation of Jekka’s guide on How to Grow Herbs.

You can also check out Jekka's herb of the month blogs for: Bay (January), Rosemary, (February), Salad burnet (March), French Tarragon, (April), Angelica, (May), Alliums, (June), Lavender July), Mint August), Szechuan Pepper September), Thyme November and Curry Tree December.

You can collect herb plants from our herb farm located in South Gloucestershire, or you can attend one of our open days. You can check our'Look Good List'to see what's available. Use our Webform, or send us your list ([email protected]) directly. There is no longer a mail order service available for our plants. However, we occasionally offer a limited selection of Jekka’s Culinary Herb Boxes.

Frequently Asked Questions

What plant helps with infection?

There are plants out there that help fight infections. Some even contain anti-bacterial properties. One of them is mint.

Mint has been used for centuries to treat respiratory infections such as cold symptoms and flu. Mint also supports digestion and relieves gas pains. You may find relief with peppermint tea if you have an upset stomach. Peppermint oil has antibacterial properties, which make it effective against germs.

Peppermint tea contains menthol, beta-carotene, vitamin C, calcium, magnesium, iron, and potassium. These nutrients support healthy immune systems and provide energy to keep your body strong.

You can make peppermint tea at home by adding one teaspoon of dried mint leaves to boiling water. Let steep for five minutes and drink hot three times per day.

Or you can buy peppermint tea bags at any grocery store. Simply add two teaspoons of dried mint leaves to a cup of hot water. Steep for 10 minutes and strain. Drink hot three times per day for best results.

Is it okay to use dried herbs instead of fresh ones?

It is best to pick up fresh herbs whenever possible when using herbs.

Although dried herbs are convenient, they don’t provide the same benefits as fresh herbs.

Fresh herbs contain essential oils that give your food a unique flavor. These oils help preserve the nutrients within the herb.

Dried herbs lose all their flavor after drying, so they cannot replace fresh herbs.

You should only use dried herbs if you absolutely must. Otherwise, you should get your fresh herbs from the market.

What herb is best for healing?

Herbs are a fantastic way to help heal our bodies. Herbal medicine has been used since ancient times and continues to grow today. There are thousands of herbs known to cure various ailments.

Some herbs are excellent for treating colds and flu, while others can treat anxiety, depression, arthritis, cancer, diabetes, heart disease, and more.

There are also herbal remedies for skin care, hair loss, weight loss, sexual health, energy, sleep, digestion, and much more.

The list goes on and on. But one herb stands above them all regarding its ability to heal. That herb is called aloe vera.

Aloe Vera is considered to be the world's most powerful healer. For centuries it has helped people heal themselves naturally without any side effects.

It's incredible how well aloe vera works. It's even better than prescription drugs and surgery.

In addition to its natural healing properties, aloe vera is highly versatile and can be used in almost any area of life, including food, beauty products, and household cleaning supplies.

You may not realize this, but aloe vera contains hundreds of active compounds, which include vitamins A, C, E, B1, B2, B3, B6, folic acid, calcium, magnesium, iron, zinc, copper, sulfur, manganese, phosphorus, potassium, sodium, chloride, fluoride, iodine, selenium and more.

These nutrients are essential for human body functions such as cell growth, metabolism, immune system support, healthy bones and teeth, healthy blood pressure levels, healthy eyesight, healthy cardiovascular systems, healthy digestive systems, healthy lungs, healthy nervous system, healthy reproductive organs, healthy skin, and healthy libido.

What is the difference between "regular" and smoked paprika powder?

Regular Paprika Powder (Piment d'Espelette) is an essential ingredient for our recipes. We use it for its intense flavor and color. It's also used as a spice and seasoning agent. Smoked Paprika Powder (Paprika Chorizo) adds a smoky taste and aroma to dishes. Both types of Paprika Powder come from Spain, where they grow the best peppers in the world.

Smoked Paprika Powder (Chorizo Paprika) is made from red peppers, which are dried slowly in special ovens. This gives them a rich flavor. They are then ground and mixed with salt, garlic, and spices.

Regular Paprika Powder (Espelette Paprika) is made by grinding green bell peppers without additives.

Should You Use Herbs and Spices for Brain Health?

Herbs and spices have been used for centuries to improve brain health. Research shows that these natural remedies may help prevent dementia and Alzheimer's. Some herbs may even boost memory.

However, no scientific evidence proves that eating an herb-rich diet can keep your mind sharp. When it comes to improving cognitive function, there are more effective ways to do it.

One study found that older adults who took 1000 mg of vitamin B6 daily had fewer mental lapses than those taking placebo pills. Another study showed that drinking coffee could increase blood flow to the brain. Other studies suggest that exercise, socialization, and sleep improve brain health.

The bottom line is that herbs and spices probably won't make much difference to your overall health. But they might give you extra energy and focus, which can come in handy during the day.

Statistics

• The herbs market is highly competitive, with over 1,000 herb suppliers and over 15,000 herbs products available in the United States alone.
• The global herbs market is expected to reach more than $125 billion by the end of 2025.

External Links

[TAG28]

• Ashwagandha | Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center


• Grape Seed | Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center

[TAG31]

• Health Benefits of Culinary Herbs and Spices - PubMed


• Use of echinacea in medicine - PubMed

[TAG34]

• Efficacy and Adverse Effects of Ginkgo Biloba for Cognitive Impairment and Dementia: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis - IOS Press

[TAG36]

• Peppermint oil (Mintoil®) in the treatment of irritable bowel syndrome: A prospective, double-blind placebo-controlled randomized trial


• Curcumin reverses the effects of chronic stress on behavior, the HPA axis, BDNF expression, and phosphorylation of CREB

How To

How to use herbs safely?

Many people think that herbs should only be used under medical supervision because they believe that some herbs are poisonous. However, this is not true.

Many herbs have long histories of safe use. For example, garlic has been used for thousands of years to fight infections. It's also been shown to lower cholesterol levels and reduce high blood pressure.

However, if you're pregnant or nursing, avoid taking certain herbs. You should also avoid them if you suffer from allergies or sensitivities to herbs.

You can do several things to ensure you get the best results from your herbs and supplements. First, always read labels before consuming anything containing herbs or spices. Second, take the lowest dose recommended on the label. Third, don't use more than one supplement at any given time. Fourth, talk to your doctor about how to combine specific herbs and supplements. Finally, keep track of your consumption to know whether you need to adjust your dosage.

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