A balcony herb garden for under A$50
You don't need a raised bed or a big budget to grow herbs you'll actually use. Here's a simple balcony setup that comes in under fifty dollars, and how to keep it going through a Brisbane year.
Disclosure: As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Links marked in green below go to Amazon Australia; if you buy through them I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. Full disclosure.
The shopping list
Prices change, so treat these as rough ranges rather than quotes. The point is that a useful herb garden doesn't cost much.
| Item | Rough cost (AUD) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 2–3 small pots or a grow bag set | $10–$20 | Must have drainage holes. 20–25 cm pots are fine for most herbs. |
| One bag of premium potting mix | $8–$15 | Look for AS 3743 certification. Not garden soil. |
| 3 herb seedlings or seed packets | $6–$15 | Seedlings are faster; seeds are cheaper and more fun. |
| Saucers or a tray | $3–$8 | So you don't water the neighbours downstairs. |
A set of small herb pots with saucers covers the first and last rows in one go. For plants, basil seeds or a mixed herb seed collection are the cheapest way to start.
Which herbs to start with in Brisbane
This is where a lot of generic gardening advice goes wrong for us. South-East Queensland is subtropical, so our "easy" season for many herbs is the cooler, drier half of the year, while summer suits heat lovers.
Warm season (roughly September to March)
- Basil loves the heat. Pinch out the flower heads to keep it leafy. Thai basil is especially tough in our summers.
- Chilli isn't technically a herb, but it earns a pot. Very productive in Brisbane.
- Vietnamese mint and lemongrass handle heat and humidity far better than many Mediterranean herbs.
Cool season (roughly April to August)
- Coriander bolts to seed quickly in hot weather, so sow it in autumn and winter for a much better harvest.
- Parsley, dill and chives all do well through our mild winters.
Most of the year
- Mint grows almost year-round but spreads aggressively. Always give it its own pot.
- Rosemary and thyme will cope with sun but hate wet feet. Use a free-draining mix and don't overwater, especially in the wet season.
Setting it up
- Find the light. Most herbs want at least 4–6 hours of direct sun. In Brisbane, an east-facing spot with morning sun and afternoon shade is ideal in summer. A harsh west-facing balcony may need some shade cloth from December to February.
- Fill the pots with moist potting mix to about 2 cm below the rim.
- Plant seedlings at the same depth they were in their punnet, firm gently, and water in well.
- Mulch the surface lightly to slow evaporation.
- Harvest often. Regular picking from the tips keeps herbs bushy and productive.
Keeping costs down
- Grow from seed where it's easy (basil, coriander, dill). One packet lasts several sowings. Sow into a fine seed raising mix rather than ordinary potting mix, which is too coarse for tiny seeds.
- Take cuttings. Mint, basil and Vietnamese mint root readily in a glass of water.
- Reuse potting mix for a second round by mixing in some fresh mix and a little compost, but start fresh if the previous plant had disease.