Gardening in London can be difficult, but it’s far from impossible. If you’re looking to get the most out of limited space or are looking to add a renewable extra to your existing plot, a herb garden is a great choice to get a lot out of a little space with minimal effort.

 

If you’re looking to cultivate a great herb garden in a high-rise flat, you can follow these top tips.

 

1. Find your sunniest spot

The first thing you need to do is find the sun! You want to set your potential garden in a place that will enjoy regular sunlight and will be sheltered from the worst of the elements. A lot of growers place their plants in a south-facing window or a sheltered area on their balcony.

 

2. Maximise your space

The advantage of growing herbs is that they only require a small plot to flourish. These can be grown in individual containers or within window boxes, balcony boxes or on wall shelves.

 

3. Choose your plants carefully

In order to make this as easy as possible, you should choose plants that are durable and easy to grow. Some classics are mint, parsley, sage and borage. All are easy to grow in a London climate and will require little maintenance once they have been planted. A full list is available from the Royal Horticultural society.

 

4. Get hold of your required essentials, including topsoil

To make sure your plants grow properly, you’ll want to look for the right tools for the job. If you’re choosing to grow from pots, make sure you find ones that are the right size for the amount you are growing. Some gravel and stones can be used to line the bottom and – most importantly – you’ll need a premium-quality gardening topsoil to make sure the plants have the healthiest start possible.

 

5. Cultivate your crop

When you’re taking care of your plants you’ll want to make sure they are watered regularly and maintained. If the plants start to sprout too close together, you’ll want to thin them out a little or replant. You can also apply a bit of plant feed once the herbs take. Add some mulch in the springtime to make sure they are protected from the cold and have access to nutrients coming up to the summer. Finally, you should add new topsoil at least twice per year to keep the soil rich and healthy.

 

Ready to start growing your own herb garden from your London flat? At the London Topsoil Company, we stock all you need to get started.