I like to use herbs to cook with. Tonight I followed a  simple recipe
to produce a beautiful  fresh sage and cream pasta sauce for instance.
However at $2.50 a bunch for the sage I am thinking that maybe I would
be better off ripping out my very small strip of garden, only 9 feet X
2 feet, and turning it into a herb garden of the various main types of
herbs used, i.e Parsley, Thyme. Sage, Corriender, etc etc. Sounds
simple but I am sure there is more to it than
 meets the eye, so just what are those things I should consider first?
 Can most of the main  popular varieties be planted together. What is
best to plant?
Any info at all really on things to be considered before making such
an undertaking.

 Thanking you,

 John From Melbourne

---

Request for Question Clarification by tar_heel_v-ga on 28 Oct 2004 09:30 PDT

John...

Great idea.  Would a list of resources that provides: a assistance in
planting and maintaining, a list of herbs and instructions on growing
them as well as well as general tips and ideas for herb gardening
suffice as an answer? I have done some preliminary research and there
are some great resources out there.

-THV

---

Clarification of Question by johnfrommelbourne-ga on 05 Nov 2004 16:40 PST

Yes Tar go ahead. Sorry for delay if you are still tuning in to this question.

Hi John (from a fellow Melbournian... at least for now!)

The main concern I've had in *trying* to grow herbs in my flat's
(ahem) courtyard is the sunlight, or rather, lack thereof.  Many herbs
require full sun.  I've had a bit more success in growing herbs in
window boxes, strung along the back fence, up fairly high, so the
shadow of the house doesn't fall over the herbs.  Parsley is growing
well, as is basil and mint, I haven't bothered with rosemary as the
neighbours have a big bush right on the street, which I steal bits
from!  The thyme is a bit sad, and the sage isn't happy (I think it
needs repotting.)  I grew most of them from seed, although picked up
some nearly-dead specimens at the local Kmart for peanuts and
resurrected them!

I've been wondering why we can't buy a bunch of mixed fresh herbs at
Safeway or greengrocers.  I don't need 10-15 stalks of the same herb,
I need 2-3 of a few different sorts.  Marketing idea for any vegie
buying bigwigs!

Best of luck!
A.

G'day John,

Sounds great, you're making me hungry. My daughter and I planted 13
herbs in about the same sized raised garden area in my courtyard. Some
herbs are overgrown, the aphids ate one (can't recall which) but most
are fine.

Have a look at "companion planting". The link below starts with which
herbs to plant with which veggies and flowers. Dig a bit deeper so to
speak and you might find complimentary herbs. I haven't looked that
far yet.

If that fails, how about pots? That way you can move them around and
they are independant of the adjoining plant.

www.bhg.com.au/gardening.nsf/Content/bhg_article_nov01_companion

If all else fails John, just plant heaps of garlic and chilli .. everywhere. 

Regards, Phil

Thanks commenters, much appreciated.

 Felllow Melburnian, I get herbs from Vic market but as of very lately
Coles Supermarket is stocking fresh herbs of all sorts.

 JFM

Today I noticed VicMarket stall selling bunches of mixed herbs.

    John