There are many theme gardens that people use in their backyard garden planning. A theme garden is popular because it usually takes less space than an ordinary garden and acts as a focal point in backyard design.
photo credit: fotologic

With the trend in outdoor kitchens and the popularity of barbeque pits a barbecue garden is a must for many garden areas.

Since most outdoor kitchens use creative landscaping design ideas and Barbeque centers are kept on the deck or patio. It makes sense to grow this theme garden in containers and close to the cooking area.

The Barbeque garden is set up to take limited space and it uses only three potting containers. Two containers should be 24 inches in diameter and one, at least 15 inches in diameter. You will also need potting soil, compost or organic fertilizer.

Plants for your Barbeque Garden

1 tomato plant
1 Red pepper plant
1 Habanera plant
1 flat leaf parsley plant
1 upright rosemary plant
1 trailing rosemary plant
1 Chive plant
1 Dill plant
1 Mint plant
1 Oregano plant
Thyme plant – French is a good culinary variety
3 Basil plants
photo credit: Tambako the Jaguar

When placing your garden remember it will perform better if it’s located in an area that receives at least 6 hours of direct sun.

Start designing your Barbeque garden by checking the bottoms of the garden pots or containers you selected to make sure they have good drainage holes. I would also suggest pots or containers with color since your garden is all about growing herbs for the kitchen. Make your containers spicy and creative like your garden herb selection.

Fill all three pots with potting soil and lightly pat the soil down. Its best to leave three or four inches of space between the top of the soil and the top rim of the pot. This acts to catch water, plus I like to add mulch to the top of the container to help keep the soil moist and conserve on the soils moisture.

Add organic fertilizer or compost to the potting containers. Mix lightly into the soil with a fork and pat the soil back down.

In the first 24-inch pot plant the tomato towards one side of the pot. This will become the backside of the planting design. Next, plant two of the basil’s in front of the tomato toward the center of the pot and the thyme at the very front edge.

Add the dill plant to one side of the basil/thyme and the parsley on the other side. For the final step place a tomato cage or trellis around the tomato. If you are using a trellis place it behind the plant. I like the look of a trellis in this garden design.

For the second 24-inch pot, plant the pepper plants, side-by-side at the “back” of the pot. Space these plants one foot apart.

On one side of the container plant the trailing rosemary. And on the other side plant a basil and mint plant. Add the tomato cage or trellis where both peppers can use it.

To create a nice design I place the third medium sized planter in between and in front of the larger planting containers. This will create a triangle shaped mini garden.

In the medium 15-inch pot, plant the rosemary towards the “back” of the pot. Next place the chive and oregano in front and space accordingly.

Water all of the pots thoroughly and add compost or mulch to the top or each planter. This will shade the soil and help retain moisture.

You can add a few small growing flowers, edible flowers or trailing flowers to the plants in front for color. There are also several different varieties of the herbs I suggested that have more color such as Golden thyme or purple ruffles basil.

You might consider adding two small pots in the front of the planters off to the side of the medium planters for flowers.

One edible flower that I consider a must for the barbeque theme garden is the nasturtium.  They are easy to grow, colorful and have a peppery taste which will compliment any barbeque meal.

This mini theme garden is practical and colorful. It will make a great addition to your backyard oasis paradise and kitchen garden area.

Technorati Tags: backyard design, Backyard Garden, backyard oasis, barbeque garden, herb garden, herbs, small space design, Small Space Garden, small space theme garden

Herbs have many uses from culinary to crafting. They also are easy to tend and make wonderful plants for indoors during those winter months. By using your windowsill and creating herbal pots you can extend your backyard garden oasis indoors. These small space gardens work wonderful for city and apartment dwellers. 
photo credit: PinkMoose

An indoor herb garden is also a wonderful way to over winter many of your tender perennials. Dig up your favorite perennials and herbs before the frost stresses or damages them. I usually let them set a few days in an outer room and adjust to being moved indoors. During this time they are kept moist in a dirt box (spare box filled with a good mix of soil). You can plant the herbs in individual pots or use a window box. I use both.

The individual pots are in the kitchen in different sized pot sitting on rocks to promote good drainage and humidity. This is my Herbal Artsy garden! I have fun experimenting with pots for different looks.

I have two Window Box Herb Gardens. One is a culinary herbal window box and one has herbs for crafting.  If you’re using a window box be sure to have several drainage holes and use good quality potting soil to promote good drainage and soil that does not get soggy.

Place the box in a sunny spot, water when the herbs are dry and fertilize with an organic fish emulsion once a month. It’s easy to over water herbs indoors and this will create mold and soil problems. Keep the plants trimmed so that they will remain compact. They are easier to manage and besides you should be using them.

Turn the window box or pots around every couple of weeks to ensure even light and growth.

A few of my favorite window box themes are:

photo credit: m_paessler

The Culinary Box with Parsley, Oregano, Sage, Thyme, Chives, Lemon Thyme & Basil. This is a must in a kitchen. These herbs will meet most cooking needs and fresh herbs are so much better than dried herbs

The Herbal Tea Box with Rose Scented Geranium, Peppermint, Rosemary, and Anise Hyssop & Lemon Balm. I keep a few of my favorite dried herbs that I mix in with the fresh herbs for great tea mixes.

The Aromatherapy Box with Lavender, Rosemary, Peppermint, Orange Scented Geranium & Lemon Verbena. This is great for crafting, dream pillows, creams, and so many other herbal creations.

The Remedies Box where you grow Lavender, Sage, Spearmint, Feverfew, Catnip and Calendula.

The ideas for herbal window boxes and herbal pots are endless! Herbal window boxes and garden pot mini gardens will add to any small space garden, backyard patio or indoor garden area.

Technorati Tags: backyard garden oasis, herbs, Small Space Garden