Author: Shirley Kindrick, Madison County Master Gardener Volunteer
Herbs are plants to consider for any garden whether they are used in cooking or just to keep garden pests at bay. They also add an extra layer of nutritional value to all the foods to which they are added with their vitamin, mineral and antioxidant content. For the small garden most herbs fit in easily. Most take little space, minimal care and can be grown in raised beds, in-ground gardens or pots.
For tomato lovers, basil is a must. There is a plethora of recipes that pair these two ingredients together, but the pairing does not stop there. Planting these two together protects tomatoes from thrips and hornworms.
Basil can be planted directly in the ground where you want it – pot, in-ground garden or raised bed. The basil seed forms a gelatinous coat when moistened. If allowed to dry out before germinating, it will not sprout. Once basil is growing, harvest frequently to keep it from flowering and losing its flavor. Up to 2/3’s of each basil plant can be harvested at one time. Cut just above a leaf node. Store basil in the kitchen in water. It will turn black if refrigerated.
Most basil plants fit well into small spaces, but if a more compact basil plant is desired, look for Spicy Globe basil or Fino Verde basil. The Spicy Globe tops out at one foot tall and wide with a classic basil taste and a bit of a spicy note. Fino Verde grows to 10-12 inches tall with equal spread. It tends to flower much later than standard basil so less pinching is required. The leaves are tiny and flavorful. Both varieties should be available in nurseries as seeds or plants.
Another good herb choice for the small garden is dill. This is definitely a plant to include in the garden that includes leafy greens such as lettuce and kale. Flowering dill supports aphid-eating beneficial insects limiting aphid damage to the green crops. While many dill plants grow taller than a small garden may be able to accommodate, there are dwarf varieties such as Fernleaf dill that reaches only 6-8 inches in height.
Dill grows best in full sun and in cooler weather. Hot weather promotes flowering which causes the plant to stop producing leaves, but it is the flowering that provides the pest control. Adding a second or third planting of dill will ensure protection from aphids all season. Dill is also a host plant for butterflies providing larval food and protection and helps protect cole crops from cabbageworms.
Another herb in the same family as dill that supports aphid-eating beneficial insects is cilantro. It is a good companion with cabbages for aphid management, and both dill and cilantro can be a tasty addition to salads and other dishes. Both herbs have also demonstrated an ability to protect eggplants from Colorado potato beetle. Cilantro, like dill, should be planted for a second or third crop maturing in fall. Both herbs can be grown from seed and direct sown in the garden or pots.
These three herbs are certainly not the only herbs available to the small space gardener. Herbs in the mint family such as sage, marjoram, oregano, lemon balm, rosemary and thyme can provide a harvest for the kitchen as well as protect many of the vegetables from pests that are growing in the garden. Because these herbs are perennials they are better grown in pots. If they survive winter, they are likely to get too large for the small garden. Some of these herbs do have dwarf varieties which might work better for the smaller garden, but do not overlook the use of pots that can be moved where you need them near your in-ground or raised bed garden with the added culinary benefit. If space allows, the plants can be moved indoors for year-round harvest!
For the small space garden, herbs are powerhouse plants enhancing the flavor and nutritional value of vegetable crops while providing pest protection for them.