OK, I have a black thumb, but love to (try) to grow mint and basil .

Sci22268408
by Sci22268408
Any suggestions on how to build something to plant these herbs on my deck besides in pots and how to keep them growing all summer long? HELP
  6 answers
  • Michelle Michelle on May 11, 2017

    I'm not sure how much space you have, but I have seen wooden pallets placed upright and used to hold plants ( in a pot of course) utilizing the space between each pallet piece. You can paint it to match your decor. Looks cute and organized.

  • Nancy Gramm Nancy Gramm on May 11, 2017

    Both mint and basil are fairly easy to grow, though they have different needs. Mint should have some shade and may require a bit of protection from direct sun, while basil needs 6 to 8 hours of sunlight. As to what to plant them in, hit the thrift stores: a child's rain boot would be pretty with trailing mint and an old straw purse, lined with plastic could hold a pot of basil quite nicely.

  • Bulldog Bulldog on May 11, 2017

    Mint grows very easily make sure you put in a container as it spreads very easily and can become invasive. And basil is easy to grow also just make sure it gets at least 6 hours of sun

  • Sci22268408 Sci22268408 on May 11, 2017

    I have a problem keeping it healthy. The basil especially. It gets spindly and black spots? What am I doing wrong??


  • Nancy Turner Nancy Turner on May 11, 2017

    My basil only gets maybe four hours of sun a day and gets bushy and has large leaves. When I took it inside and put it in a southern window that only gave it indirect sun it got spindly and mostly died. I assume that was from no direct sun. Make sure it gets enough sun and water. My Mint has always been in the direct sun without a problem, but quit growing it as it and my oregano both took over too much of my garden.

    • Sci22268408 Sci22268408 on May 11, 2017

      Like I said I have a black thumb. I put both in direct sun light on our deck. My mint did OK but I have a real problem with the basil. It gets tough and light green? I don't get it? Sometimes I think I over water or under water?? But it gets lots of sun light. Then wonder if it gets too much?? Should probably just settle for the bunches you buy at the market? UGH


  • Nancy Turner Nancy Turner on May 12, 2017

    It really needs the full sun if it can. Get one of the meters you can stick in your containers and it lets you know if it needs to be watered. I have mine in a self watering container. It has a space underneath that you fill with water and it soaks up into the soil on its own. Even though mine is in a twelve inch container and not in full sun all day, you would be surprised how quickly that reservoir empties itself. I put my pot outside about a week ago and it has not reached 70 degrees this week and I have filled it three times already. Hope this helps you. Growing herbs is a great way to get the bug for more veggie plants. Even if you plant them all in pots it is still a great way to grow many veggies.