A potager garden is a way to create a garden which is both functional and aesthetically pleasing. Usually planted off the kitchen a potager will contain both edible plants and ornamental plants. A well planned potager should be easy to care for and, ideally, provide food and cut flowers for the home. Potagers can be designed to function in nearly any garden form from a formal Knot Garden to a carefree Cottage Garden.

A few years ago I created a Stawberry Pot Garden on my patio and it occurred to me that this is a classic, albeit small, potager garden. It would be ideal for a condominium or patio garden where space is limited.

You can easily create this balcony garden and customize it just for you. First, purchase two stawberry pots. I recommend that you buy the largest pots that the footprint of one pot will comfortably fit onto your patio.  Stack one pot on top of another to make sure they will fit well together, if not select another pot. Try to select pots which have large potting ares which are well placed throughout the pot. I prefer the less expensive terra cotta over the glazed pots. You will need planter mix to fill the pots with. I recommend that you purchase ready to use potting soil which is pre-moistened. For two large pots you will need a 3 cubic foot bag. In addition you will need  a high quality 14-14-14 slow release fertilizer. I recommend Osmocote Easy Pour.

Step by Step Instructions.

1. Mix fertilizer with bag of potting mix. (If using the osmocote it should be 1 ounce per 2 cubic foot bag)
2. Place pot on patio where you will locate it throughout growing season.
3. Wrap bottom of pot with copper tape or a piece of thick copper wire or tubing to prevents snails.
4. Fill pot with soil, tamp in and make sure each hole is filled with soil. Water in.
5. Place second poton top of first pot creating a tower. Move pot from left to right and make sure to fully seat pot into second pot, not just sitting on top of soil.
6. Fill upper pot with soil the same as the first pot, water in.
7. You are now ready to plant! Choose plants from groupings below. Pull one section of a 4 or six pack from growers seed container, seperate roots, dig a whole in potting soil and plant. Tamp soil around plant and continue until container is full.
8. When fully planted, water in.
9. Resist using your herbs for one month for plants to get established.

Plant Choices

You have many possibilities for planting. You will be limited by space so try to choose plants which will be usable and which you will have in a quantity that is useful. If you try to have too many types of plants in one tower you will probably have a lovely tower but not useful for cooking if that is your goal. To reduce the need for pesticide you may want to include marigolds in the top as they naturally ward off pest.

Salad Herb Garden: arugula, chervil, chives, dill, basil, red basil, parsley,  flat-leaf or Italian parsley, mustard, nasturtiums, sorrel, summer savory, and tarragon.

Italian Herb Garden: arugula, basil, bay, dill, fennel, chives, marjoram, rosemary, sage, and thyme.

Fish Herb Garden: bay, dill, fennel, lemon basil, lemon grass, lemon thyme, parsley, rosemary, sage, savory, and tarragon.

Salt Substitute Herb Garden: basil, bay, dill, parsley, rosemary, sage, savory, thyme, and tarragon.

A few tips

• This is a great project for small space gardening. It is addictive and you will find yourself creating additional pots.
• A single pot makes an excellent gift which can be customized to the recipient.
• Use Insecticidal Soap as needed to control pests. Insecticidal Soap is a safer alternative to pesticides.
• Do not overwater. Stick your finger into the soil in the top pot to the second knuckle, if moist wait a few days.
• Do the project with a friend or neighbor so you can share in the cost of plants and get more variety.
• Start project in March from seed to reduce overall cost.
• Use the herbs or snip to avoid overgrowth.
• Add fertilizer every 4 months. (If using Osmocote otherwise according to label directions)

I will try to post a photo of the finished project.