The Herb Bath (Growing and Caring for Herbs (in General))

Member Name: Tracy_1127

Product:	Growing and Caring for Herbs (in General)
Date:	23/07/08 (60 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Easy to grow, organic, save you money, kids like to help

Disadvantages: Can attract pests

When we renovated our house we removed the bathroom suite and replaced it with a new one. I pondered over the bath we'd taken out, what could I do with it? I decided to use it as a herb garden. So, whilst still empty we placed the bath in a partially sheltered area that receives plenty of sun, against a wall was the best place for us, then filled it with soil we'd dug out for the pond.

I decided to try seeds first, it's always more of an achievement if you've grown something from seed so I went to the garden centre and bought lots, basil, mint, parsley, oregano, marjoram and fennel. I already had an established rosemary plant in a container along with a lavender plant so these went into the bath first. (I don't eat lavender by the way!!)

I planted the seeds, watered them then waited. A few grew to tiny little leaves but most got eaten by snails and slugs (we have a real problem with them for some reason) so I didn't get any plants from them. This was last year. So midsummer I returned to the garden centre and purchased small plants of the same herbs as above for 99p-£1.50 each which actually wasn't any more expensive than the packets of seeds.

I planted them in the bath, watered them then spread a ring of salt around the base of the bath to scupper any hungry snails and slugs. I don't use slug pellets as I have cats and I don't even trust the ones that claim to be safe so salt it is! It needs replacing regularly but it works. I have been considering trying the copper tape but haven't got around to it yet.

The plants grew a little bit last year and it was nice to have some fresh herbs available even in the winter but this year is when it's really flourished. The "herb bath" is full of lush, green herbs this year. I've had no trouble with pests, not sure why but they've bypassed mine. One thing to take care over though is fennel attracts wasps so keep it small and manageable (It grows like mad if you leave it). So we've had a plentiful supply of herbs all summer with no problems at all.

I'm even adding this to my money saving routine, I'm drying big bunches of herbs (yes, it does look like a witch's coven in my house right now) then chopping and storing them so we'll have dried ones in the winter. It doesn't sound like much of a help but if you buy herbs like we used to, dried and in boxes for about £2 each variety, this will save you a little bit of money. And they're grown how you like them!

So, easy to grow and look after. Basically they like heat which is why mine are against a wall where there's a bit of a sun trap, if it doesn't rain for a few days I'll water mine after the sun's off them (don't want to burn their leaves) and the only pest control I've needed is salt for the slugs and snails. I recommend herb growing to all, even those who can only grow a few on their kitchen windowsill. They are brilliant for kids because they can watch them grow then eat some, my 3 year old niece loves a trip to the herb bath!

Summary: Recommended to all