Helpful hints Growing Herbs in the Tropics
Growing Herbs in the Tropics
Growing herbs is easy to do in the tropics, you just have to pick the right varieties! For example; You'll have a hard time to get Normal Chives to grow through a tropical summer...so grow the hardy Garlic Chives instead!
- •1 - Choose herbs that will best tolerate the high temperatures and wet weather characteristic of tropical climates; ideal varieties include basil, garlic chives, mint (esp. vietnamese), oregano, parsley (esp. italian), rosemary and thyme. To quickly determine which herbs are best suited to tropical conditions, think about the flavours that are common in the cuisines of Asia, Africa and other tropical locales. Varieties such as coriander, lemongrass and curry plant are relatively easy to grow but may need a bit more attention.
- •2 - Choose the appropriate season for planting each herb. Certain herbs, can thrive in tropical conditions but should be planted during the cool season to avoid the extreme heat of summer. Purchase a gardening book or check the plant labels on individual herbs to determine their sensitivity to heat. Trial and error is always a key part of gardening as each garden is slightly different to the next.
- •3 - Appropriate drainage is of utmost importance. Herbs can not grow in a tropical garden without excellent drainage. Plant the herbs in a high-quality potting soil in containers with good drainage and water thoroughly; growing in containers gives you better control over the amount of sun and water the plants receive. Or you may decide to simply raise your herb garden up off the ground to allow the water to drain out. Due to high rainfall in the tropics, herb gardens should be open and airy to minimise fungal problems.
- •4 - If you have decided to pot up your herbs, move the containers around the garden to experiment with different amounts of sun. Midday sun may be too strong for certain herbs; morning sun and midday shade will produce healthier plants for these varieties. If you decide to raise the garden beds instead, you may have to trial a few areas to find the best position.
- •5
- Monitor the amount of water the plants receive, especially during the rainy season. During heavy rainfall, the soil in containers can quickly become soggy, impeding root growth and promoting plant rot. Raised beds will help here, but be sure to test the soil with a finger if your herbs are not holding up.
