How to Hang an Herb Garden

Choose herbs that thrive in soil that is well-drained and herbs that need to come inside for the winter for hanging containers. Herbs suitable for hanging containers include sage, chives, parsley, rosemary, oregano, thyme, and bush basil. Mix several herbs together in one container if desired.

Select any hanging container that has holes for water drainage. Fill container with a loose potting soil mixture formulated for growing vegetables in containers, since they are not heavy and will carry neither diseases nor weed seeds. Create your own mix of sphagnum peat moss, vermiculite and limestone.

Water herbs in hanging containers more frequently than the herbs planted outside in the garden, but do not over-water. Stop watering when water seeps out of the holes at the bottom of the container.

Hang the herbs in a location that will get as much sun as possible. At least six hours of sunlight will help the herb develop a maximum level of the oils that give it its full flavor. Take advantage of having your herbs in hanging containers by moving them if you find they are not getting enough sun.

Fertilize with a liquid fertilizer at half strength monthly. Do not over-fertilize the herbs; lush growth will diminish flavor since the herb will not have the time it needs to develop the oils that give it taste.

Harvest the herbs in your hanging garden when the flower buds begin to appear. Leave at least 4 inches of shoots on annual herbs, and remove the top 1/3 of perennial herbs.