Aromatic herbs can be grown very well in raised beds. You can find out exactly what needs to be considered when creating, planting and location here.
Many herbs are ideal companions for raised beds and sometimes even have a positive effect on their neighboring vegetable plants. For example, if dill is planted next to carrots or cabbage, its scent keeps annoying pests away from carrots and cabbage. But herbs not only have to be integrated into a raised bed, they can also be given their very own raised bed.
Create a raised bed for herbs
If a raised bed is to be used specifically for growing herbs, this is best decided before the raised bed is filled. Because the Mediterranean herbal representatives in particular do not like waterlogging. It should therefore be ensured when filling with drainage in the lower layers and a sand-soil mixture instead of pure soil in the upper layers that the roots of the herbs are not in the water. Most herbs also don't have very deep roots, so you don't need a normal raised bed for a herb raised bed. Forty to 50 cm in height is absolutely sufficient for herbs.
Location for the raised herb bed
For many herbs, the location requirements in terms of sunshine are very pronounced - they grow particularly well in very sunny locations. It is important to note that plants and soil always dry out particularly quickly in full sun. Most Mediterranean herbs like rosemary or oregano are used to it. Basil, on the other hand, needs a lot of water and should therefore be planted in partial shade as a precaution. Of course, there are also many herbs that thrive in a bed in semi-shade. Again, other herbs are suitable for the shade.
Herbs for a raised bed in a sunny spot: dill, fennel, chamomile, caraway, lavender, marjoram, oregano, rosemary, thyme, wormwood, lemon verbena
Herbs for a raised bed in a partially shaded location: wild garlic, basil,Savory, borage, garden cress, chervil, lovage (maggi herb), (lemon) balm, types of mint, parsley, rocket, chives, woodruff, lemongrass
Easy herbs that thrive in any location: tarragon, burnet
Plant raised bed" for herbs
Most kitchen herbs should be sown or planted in spring. If you prefer the herbs in the pot or buy them and plant them in the raised bed, you will be able to harvest much earlier than if you sow the herbs directly in the raised bed. Basil in particular, with its very slow development, should definitely be preferred. It is best to change the location of annual kitchen herbs such as chervil, dill and parsley every year (for example, plant the parsley in the location of last year's dill).
Some Mediterranean herbs such as rosemary do not survive the winter in a normal raised bed in this country. Of course, it depends on the location and the variety. So when choosing herbs, make sure you choose cold- or frost-resistant varieties. For a Mediterranean raised bed, a cold frame device and possibly a styrofoam insulation of the bed in winter can be useful. Another option would be to repot the non-hardy herbs. Herbs that are not hardy, such as rosemary or marjoram, can be overwintered in a bright, cool (6 to 8 °C) place in the house or in the garage and planted again in their old place in the raised bed next spring.
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