Basil, fennel and shiso container

Basil, fennel and shiso container

We show you how to make a classy herb pot using a galvanised bucket - perfect for summer pickings.

A table displaying which months are best to sow, plant and harvest.
Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
At its best
At its best

Plant is not at its best in January

Plant is not at its best in February

Plant is not at its best in March

Plant is not at its best in April

Plant is not at its best in May

Plant is not at its best in June

Plant is at its best in July

Plant is at its best in August

Plant is not at its best in September

Plant is not at its best in October

Plant is not at its best in November

Plant is not at its best in December

To do
To do

Do not To do in January

Do not To do in February

Do not To do in March

Do not To do in April

Do not To do in May

Do To do in June

Do To do in July

Do not To do in August

Do not To do in September

Do not To do in October

Do not To do in November

Do not To do in December

A shiny metal-style container is ideal for growing herbs for summer pickings. In this unusual pot, we’ve used a summer essential – basil – with Florence fennel and shiso, also known as perilla.

Discover 10 unusual herbs to grow.

Find out how to make this herb pot in our step-by-step guide, below.

A shiny metal-style container is ideal for growing herbs for summer pickings.
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You Will Need

  • 30cm pot
  • John Innes No.2 compost
  • Slow-release fertiliser
  • Fennel plants (2)
  • Purple shiso
  • Basil plant

Total time:

Step 1

Make drainage holes in the base of the container. Fill two-thirds with John Innes No. 2 compost. Add the slow-release fertiliser granules.

Adding compost to the container
Adding compost to the container

Step 2

Pack in your plants, placing the taller growing fennel at the back, and the bushier plants at the front.

Planting up the container
Planting up the container

Step 3

Fill between the plants and top up with compost to 5cm below the container rim. Water well and place in a sunny spot.

Planting around the edge of the container
Planting around the edge of the container
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Kevin Smith says

If you can’t find shiso, substitute it with purple basil or lettuce.

Kvein Smith