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| Fresh herbs, no fuss When we say you can have fresh herbs from the garden with very little fuss, we're not just blowing smoke-even if the herbs in question are growing in flue liners. The idea of using flue liners came from Dallas landscape architect Naud Burnett, who designed a garden for Doug and Polly Urquhart. continued below... |
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Polly wanted fresh herbs for the kitchen, but she didn't want a lot of upkeep. She also didn't want the barren look typical herb gardens have in winter. So Naud inserted a row of planters made from chimney flue liners into a bed of dark-green mondo grass between a concrete walk and the garage. Polly filled the flue liners with a mixture of topsoil and potting soil and then planted a single herb in each one.
The project proved to be an aesthetic, practical, and horticultural success. The terra-cotta flue liners repeated the color and texture of the nearby brick wall. Surrounding them with mondo grass eliminated concerns about weeding and gave the space a lush look year-round. Moreover, the 2-foot-tall flue liners, which are open on the bottom, supplied a basic requirement for cultivating herbs-good drainage. (Flue liners come in various lengths and widths and are available from chimney supply or pipe companies.)
Polly grows chives, tarragon, basil, oregano, thyme, rosemary, mint, lemon balm, and Italian parsley. Annual and biennial herbs such as basil and Italian parsley must be replanted each year. So must the tarragon-a short-lived perennial. The other herbs do great, though. As a bonus, the flue liner containing the mint keeps its invasive roots safely confined.
Polly doesn't have to weed, and thanks to an automatic sprinkler placed beside each flue liner, she doesn't even have to water. She can just harvest and enjoy.
WHAT HERBS NEED
Light: full sun
Soil: Slightly acid to slightly alkaline, containing plenty of organic matter. Good drainage is essential. If your soil is mostly clay, consider planting in pots or raised beds.
Water: Get new plants established with plenty of moisture. Then water only enough to keep plants from wilting. Too much moisture causes root rot and weakens the flavor. Fertilizer: Use sparingly. Too much fertilizer causes rank growth with poor flavor.