[erainn]

Anyone have any suggestions as to which herbs are suitable for an allotment?

[monkeywobbler]

Hello! I have a plethora of herbs on my allotment - I can't see why something wouldn't be suitable - only mint which has a reputation for being invasive. I would just plant it in a pot!
Unless there's a herb I don't know about that grows like Japanese knotweed?
Or maybe a very delicate one that needs some warmth in colder weather?

It must be said that lots of herbs flower beautifully and attract beneficial wildlife to your plot - sage is fantastic for bees.
Hope that helps - someone else with slightly more in depth knowledge will probably be along soon.

[arugula]

I would agree and add that having planted lovage last year and then having pulled it all up when I decided I didn't like it, there is a lot of new growth still coming up where it was, so I'd consider it pretty invasive, as it was pretty big and ungainly in the first place too.

Herbs can be grown in the ground or in pots (which is a must for mint), making them quite versatile things to grow.

[Springlands]

Agree about the mint - in a moment of madness I planted it in the ground and four/five years later I am still fighting a loosing battle to keep it under control. Still have plenty for the Sunday lamb and the sunny day Pimms.   

[BabbyAnn]

I think you need to decide whether you want herbs for fresh leaf or dried (or for seed etc).  Herbs at the allotment means they won't be as readily available as say the ones growing by the back door.  If you plan your meals and go daily, then fine, but what about that occassion when  "oh, I just fancy some fresh chives on that" - I wouldn't then be running off to the allotment with the scissors!   

BTW chives at the allotment is fine - I grow them near the fruit bushes ... I don't know if it's true, but supposedly keeps some of the bugs away, and they have lovely flowers too.  I also grow oregano and sage which attract the bees, and (not exactly a herb) but lots of lavender too.

PS If growing mint in a pot, perhaps make it a deep pot, a very deep pot ... I planted mint in a pot, and the roots went through the holes in the bottom and escaped!!!!!! 

[JayG]

BabbyAnn has a good point, but apart from that all the common herbs will grow well outdoors in a sunny location in well-drained soil, although parsley prefers a richer soil and possibly less sun, and basil needs a much better summer than we've had recently to do well outside.

[galen]

Herbs at the allotment means they won't be as readily available as say the ones growing by the back door. 

Unless your allotment is by the backdoor !! 

Isn't also best to group them by ideal growing conditions. The medeterrainian type varieties basil, oregano, thyme, rosemary etc all like relatively dry, sunny areas whilst others, specifically mint, can happily survive in shaded moist areas. I had a great book on herbs and growing conditions, unfortunatley hasn't come my way in the seperation. Must do some more negotiating 

Oh, JayG got in beforeme so kind of repeat post !

[gardengnome]

I read that planting rosemary or sage near carrots is good as the smell acts as a deterrent for carrot fly! 

How invasive is parsley?  I planted it in a herb planter once with a few other things and it invaded the rest of the pot!  I had to keep cutting it back to stop it killing the thyme.  Don't know what it's like in the ground?

[gardengnome]

just done a search on companion planting:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_companion_plants#Herbs

[shokkyy]

How invasive is parsley?  I planted it in a herb planter once with a few other things and it invaded the rest of the pot!  I had to keep cutting it back to stop it killing the thyme.  Don't know what it's like in the ground?

I grow it in a bed, right next to thyme actually, and it's fine. It does grow into quite a big plant, bigger than thyme, but it doesn't really try to spread. You just need to give it a bit of room to allow for the size of it. And I've never had any problem at all getting them to live through winter. I tend to alternate, start new flat leafed plants one year and new curly the next, and replace the plants every other year because they do start getting a bit seedy in the end. But the flat leaf I planted spring last year is thriving and perfect for picking right now, whereas the French tarragon and rosemary, which are supposed to be perennial, both failed to make it through the snow.

[evie2]

WE must be the only people who don't have invasive mint :blink: ours is very well behaved and hasn't strayed 

[JayG]

I read that planting rosemary or sage near carrots is good as the smell acts as a deterrent for carrot fly! 

How invasive is parsley?  I planted it in a herb planter once with a few other things and it invaded the rest of the pot!  I had to keep cutting it back to stop it killing the thyme.  Don't know what it's like in the ground?

Rosemary, sage, and the more usually quoted onions or other alliums are supposed to mask the smell of carrots which makes it harder for the carrot fly to find them, but please don't rely on it if you are easily upset by failure!

Parsley isn't invasive at all; it only lives for two years. If you plant one that is all you'll finish up with unless you let it set seed in its second year (although in favourable conditions it can grow fairly large depending on how much you crop it.)

[pigeonpie]

Firstly I would say that you need to consider what herbs you like and how you intend to use them.  Secondly, you will need to consider if the soil and aspect of your allotment are suitable for growing the herbs that you like, for example most mediterranean herbs hate to get their feet cold and wet.  If you want to grow certain herbs but don't have the right conditions then consider pots or planters, perhaps a pot for each, that way you don't have the same concerns about invasiveness.
Fresh herbs are beautiful, both to eat and to look at and the bees and hover flies love many of the flowers that they produce so it's a win win for you and the local wildlife!