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My total favorite type of container for cultivating herbs is the strawberry pot (those cute little containers with all the openings on the sides) because I get to grow a lot of different herbs in the same pot. From the spindly varieties to the bushy kind and from the cascading vines to the tall spikes, the strawberry pot is perfect. These pots do tend to dry out quickly, so try to plant only your drought tolerant herbs in them.

The size of the pot is very important. If you buy a container that’s too little, your plant can only grow so much and can eventually die. The nutrients often settle in the bottom of the container, and if it the container is too big the short roots can not be able to reach them.

Terra cotta pots are a lot better than plastic pots because the terra cotta allows the sod to breathe and healthier sod yields healthier plants. Even though I don’t use plastic containers, I do use a lot of different shapes, sizes and colors to add variety to my stoop.

Regardless of the type of pot you use, you should add some compost to the potting soil before you add your herb plants. Now I make my own compost, but you can purchase compost at a greenhouse or home improvement store. I usually add a little bit of sand to each pot too.

Here are some herbs that grow quite well in pots:

• Dill: With dill, you cannot go wrong. It’s without a doubt one of the best choices for an simple herb. Using seeds is a wonderful way to start your dill, and it self-seeds so it can do all the work for the rest of the growing season. Use a well-drained pot and put it so that your dill herb can get full sunlight. Dill is also gratifying in that you can harvest it not long after you plant it because it grows so fast. You can cut off the leaves, flowers and seedheads and use them right away, freeze them or dry them for the future.

• Garlic: You can start garlic in either spring or fall. Plant it about 2 inches deep with the clove pointing up in well drained dirt and direct sun. It likes to be watered often and adding some good compost can help it grow. Your garlic is ready to harvest when the tops bend over. After you unearth the bulbs, you’ll want to spread them out on a flat surface to dry and after about a week their skins will start to resemble that of store-bought garlic. Then you’re ready to enjoy!

• Lavender: Growing your own lavender plants is great, but don’t start with seeds because you will be waiting for an eternity. Instead purchase a small lavender herb at the store and go from there. Use a pot with good drainage that allows for a lot of mulching, but also allows plenty of room for the roots. Lavender likes full sun, so find a lovely bright place on your porch or balcony for this cheerful little herb. Dried lavender makes fabulous sachets and potpourris. There’s really no place you can’t put these little treasures.

• Yarrow: Yarrow is a wonderful herbs that comes in a lot of colors and looks simply great in dried floral arrangements and wreaths. You can even use yarrow in your lotions, soaps and shampoos. It really does not matter if you select to start this herb with a young plant or with seeds. Yarrow is also pretty flexible and will tolerate wet sod better than most herb plants, but also does well in well-drained sod. It will grow in full sun or in a semi-shady place. Once it’s in bloom you can harvest the buds and dry them in a cool, dark location.

Good luck with your herb gardening. Be sure to let me know how your herb garden grows.

Here is more information on Herb Garden In Pots. Here is a website with a free mini-course dedicated to Herb Gardens.