NJ resident asking if an italian herb garden would be a good chistmas gift. Easy to grow? my $ = low?

Question

i am looking to buy presents for my whole family on a teenager's budget. my mother likes to cook with herbs and i was wondering if this would satisfy her needs as far as cooking goes and if it would be an easy gardening experience for a working mom (is it easy to grow). i live in NJ, my house faces north and my back porch is shaded by trees. is it able to be grown in a window? planting on the front porch or in the ground is a no go because of the relentless deer, it would have to be in a pot or container. im not even sure what im getting myself into.. where would i find this herb garden kit, it would have to be a brick and mortar store.

Answer 1

The kit in this link is probably too expensive. You could make your own for a lot less money by attaching clay pots in a similar manner with clear latex caulk and buy the seeds. You would have to buy seeds on line I doubt if any stores have them at this time.
http://www.herbkits.com/

The below is usually in the stores at this time of year
*******Chia Herb Garden*******
Its easy to do and fun to grow
http://www.rkdm.com/chiapet/chiaherbgarden.htm?OVRAW=herb%20garden%20kit&OVKEY=herb%20garden%20kit&OVMTC=standard&OVADID=906300522&OVKWID=17076104522
The Kit below comes with the seeds
Italian Indoor Herb Garden Kit
http://www.herbgardenkits.com.au/store/2007327/page/1338876



I have listed only the most reputable seed companies I personally am familiar with.
Seed catalogs
http://www.burpee.com/category/herbs.do
http://www.parkseed.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/StoreCatalogDisplay?catalogId=10066&storeId=10101&langId=-1&mainPage=page1&cid=ppp000009y&s_kwcid=TC-1186-{ovkey}-{ovmtc:S:S:S}-141-143
http://henryfields.com/category.asp?c=3&x=8&y=5
http://henryfields.com/search.asp?pc=&t=c&c=3

I really think the least expensive way is to make one. You can see the pictures and get a general idea how to assemble one.
Some ideas in photos this one is build
a wooden box insert clay pots.

Answer 2

Jon:
A herb garden is truely an easy thing to start and maintain. You can buy the seeds fairly inexpensivly. Go to your local Plant Store. In the seed section, you will be able to buy all the seeds you need. You can get alot of seed for about 10 dollars. Use your yellow pages to find the near'st store to you. As for soil, well, use soil from around your house. Look for where things seem to be growing fairly well, that soil will be good enough. The darker the soil, the better. If you can afford it though, some good soil from the garden center would be good. Build a small frame close to your house. The heat from your house will be good for the plants. It doesn't have to be big. Just 6 inches deep, 2 feet wide and about 3 feet long. Break up the soil that is allready there, add some good soil, then your seeds, water and voila! Oh, you can cover it with a sheet of heavy clear plastic in case of really bad weather. Good luck with this, please say hi to your Mum. Best of Luck! Bertram.

Answer 3

I think it sounds like a nice thoughtful gift for your Mom. The Chia kits are soooo easy & not expensive. Most herbs are fairly easy, if you don't have a sunny window they should do O.K. with artificial light, just try to give them at least some natural indirect light too. Check their website to find a store here's a link
http://www.jeiusa.com/buy.html

Answer 4

You could look at one by the name of AeroGarden, though it isn`t cheap to start off with. It might give you one or two ideas though on starting your own. This site gives info on the kit itself, and seeds etc which may be bought.

http://www.outdoorlivingsupplies.com