Rules For Growing Herbs In Flats

Press, Volume CIX, Issue 32117, 13 October 1969, Page 3

Rules For Growing Herbs In Flats

Flat dwellers could grow herbs successfully in containers if they followed a few simple rules, Mrs Betty Sykes told the Canterbury Herb Society recently. The right soil mixture was important, and it should contain sand, leaf mould, and soil in equal parts. It was necessary to have good drainage. Herbs liked the light, so it was important that they should bask in it Pots should be rotated so that each herb received its share of sunlight. Mrs Sykes gave an illustrated talk on the methods of indoor planting of herbs for culinary and aromatic purposes.

Shallow containers, such as troughs or urns, needed two to three inches of soil and could accommodate thyme, chamomile and Corsican mint

Large bowls, barrels, or old coppers stilted most herbs. A sweet bay made a very at-

tractive centrepiece in a barrel. Window boxes or troughs needed six inches of soil and were suitable for lavender, thyme, chives, sweet marjoram, pot marjoram, winter savory, sage, rosemary, burnet, borage, mint, parsley, chervil and basil. Terracotta and clay pots bad a basic bond with herbs and seemed particularly apt containers. Strawberry pots, with from six to nine pockets, were also attractive.

“Prepare the soil and put in the plants as the pot is filled with earth, leaving the most decorative herb for the top,” she said. Mrs Sykes suggested that a visit to an antique or junk shop might be rewarding as old kettles or coppers could look most attractive with a little paint or polish. • “The most unlikely article may become original and striking on your verandah or enhance a special spot in your herb garden,” she said Nearly all herbs would grow in containers. Those of low and medium growth were all excellent for this purpose. Rampant herbs such as lemon balm and the mints were more suited to individual pots as they would choke out other plants.

Refugee Huts Arrive.—The first shipment of refugee huts given to the people of Vietnam have arrived at Vung Tau, where they are in the hands of the United States Navy, the secretary of the Vietnamese refugee huts interim committee, Mr N. K. Harvey, of Tauranga, has been advised by the Department of External Affairs.— (P.A.)