Planting Herbs in Containers in Summer
Answered by: Inge Poot
Question from: Tracey Epps
Posted on: August 03, 2004

I have just moved into a new apartment (in Toronto, Ontario, Canada) which has a deck where I would like to grow some herbs in containers (previously I had no space to grow anything). The deck faces west, and gets sun but is partly shaded by trees. I wondered what (culinary) herbs I could order and successfully plant at this time of year?

Since Toronto is in zone 5, you don’t have a lot of time left to not only order but then grow plants before freezing weather starts again in September. I would leave annuals for next year and plant only perennials in containers such as hanging baskets that you can easily move indoors when freezes threaten. You can then enjoy fresh herbs all winter long.

If you are tempted by chives or tarragon, plant those two in a separate basket and leave them out to freeze for about a month and then bring in to have them regrow as if it were spring.

Tender perennials would probably do best, because they will enjoy the fall as a cooler rest period, but then grow well in the warm apartment.

Try the herbs suggested in our 12-plant culinary herb collection, if you have not decided on anything yet.

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