Fresh herbs from the garden are healthy, have an incomparable aroma and are also extremely decorative. In addition, they are easy to cultivate. If you only want to create a raised bed with herbs, it is best to choose species and varieties that have roughly the same requirements for the location.
Most herbs feel right at home in the raised bed
Suitable herbs for a kitchen herb raised bed
Many of the typical kitchen herbs are outspoken sun worshipers, who particularly like a spot in full sun. Of course, there is a large selection of species that also thrive in partial shade, as well as quite uncomplicated ones that feel comfortable in both sunny and partially shaded places.
Herbs for a sunny spot
These species, which are often used in the kitchen, are particularly suitable for a raised bed of herbs in the sun:
- Anise (Pimpinella anisum)
- Basil (Ocimum basilicum)
- Curry herb (Helichrysum italicum)
- Dill, cucumber herb (Anethum graveolens)
- Tarragon (Artemisia dracunculus)
- Fennel (Foeniculum vulgare)
- Chamomile (Matricaria chamomilla)
- Cumin (Carum carvi)
- Marjoram (Origanum majorana)
- burnet, burnet (Sanguisorba minor)
- Tripmadam, rock sedum or stonecrop (Sedum rupestre)
- Wormwood, bitter mugwort (Artemisia absinthium)
- Lemon Verbena, Lemon Shrub (Aloysia citrodora)
Furthermore, the typical Mediterranean herbs such as rosemary, thyme, lavender, oregano and sage also belong to the group of sun worshipers.
Herbs for the penumbra
Even those who only have a semi-shaded location do not have to do without a large selection of different types of herbs. Incidentally, these can be wonderfully combined with all kinds of kitchen vegetables such as onions, leeks, garlic, etc.
- wild garlic (Allium ursinum)
- Savory (Satureja hortensis)
- Borage (Borago officinalis)
- Tarragon (Artemisia dracunculus)
- Garden cress (Lepidium sativum)
- Chervil (Anthriscus cerefolium)
- Garlic mustard (Alliaria petiolata)
- Lovage (Levisticum officinale)
- Lemon Balm, Lemon Balm (Melissa officinalis)
- Parsley (Petroselinum crispum)
- Arugula (Eruca sativa)
- Chives (Allium schoenoprasum)
- Woodruff (Galium odoratum)
- Lemongrass, Lemongrass (Cymbopogon citratus)
Proper care for herbs in raised beds
Kitchen and medicinal herbs are quite undemanding and usually thrive on their own. A compost application in the spring is usually sufficient for the nutrient supply. Don't forget to water the plants during dry periods. Perennial species, provided they are hardy, receive a fleece cover in November. This is to protect them from dehydration and cold. Woody herbs like thyme, lavender, and sage will stay compact if you prune them back by about a third in spring.
The Mediterranean herb raised bed
Mediterranean herbs do best in a raised bed with lean, well-drained soil and in a warm, sunny spot. They go well with Mediterranean vegetables - then you have the most important ingredients for a ratatouille or a bouquet of Herbes de Provence that you have mixed yourself at hand. For example, they go very well together in the raised bed:
- Aubergine, eggplant (Solanum melongena)
- Basil (Ocimum basilicum)
- Garlic (Allium sativum)
- Lavender (Lavandula angustifolia)
- Oregano (Origanum vulgare)
- Bell Peppers (Capsicum annuum)
- Rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis)
- Sage (Salvia officinalis)
- Thyme (Thymus vulgaris)
You can also put tomato plants and courgettes that remain low in the bed - but be careful: In contrast to the Mediterranean herbs, these are really heavy consumers and need a lot of nutrients.
tips
If you like drinking herbal tea, you can grow typical tea herbs such as lavender, lemon balm, sage, mint, fennel, anise, caraway, thyme, lemon verbena and sweet herb (Stevia) in your raised bed.