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Basil, fennel and shiso container

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

Published: Tuesday, 4 June, 2019 at 11:06 am

A table displaying which months are best to sow, plant and harvest.
At its best
	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
At its best	J	F	M	A	M	J	J	A	S	O	N	D
To do
To do	J	F	M	A	M	J	J	A	S	O	N	D

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.

You Will Need

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

Total time:

15 minutes

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

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

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

Kevin Smith says

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