Olives, Herbs & Home

🌿 Decking Garden Update

Herbs

🌿 Thriving Herb Garden on the Decking – Tips & Care

🪴 1. Drainage is Everything

• Make sure pots have drainage holes and use gravel, shells, or sand at the bottom to prevent waterlogging.
• Avoid leaving pots sitting in trays full of rainwater.
• Raise pots slightly with bricks, wooden slats, or plant feet to keep airflow underneath.

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☀️ 2. Sunlight Matters

• Most herbs love at least 4–6 hours of sun per day.
• Rotate pots every few days to keep growth even.
• On grey days, cluster pots near the sunniest spot or reflect light with a white backdrop.

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🌧️ 3. Weather Protection for UK Rain

• Move herbs under a canopy or table when rain is persistent.
• Use a clear storage box or cloche to protect them while still getting light.
• Terracotta pots are perfect — they help wick away moisture.

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✂️ 4. Prune & Harvest Smart

• Don’t let herbs flower — they’ll go bitter. Snip regularly.
• Coriander & parsley: Cut outer stems first, down to the base.
• Thyme & mint: Trim just above a leaf node — it’ll grow back bushier.
• Never cut more than ⅓ at a time to avoid stressing the plant.

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🍃 5. Feed Gently

• Use a liquid feed every 2–3 weeks (organic if possible).
• Herbs don’t need a lot — just a little boost now and again.

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🍋 6. Use Them Fresh & Bold

Add to dishes or drinks right before serving:

• Coriander – curries, rice, avocado toast
• Parsley – pastas, potatoes, tabbouleh
• Thyme – roast veg, soups, cocktails
• Mint – mojitos, teas, desserts, G&Ts
• Basil – pesto, pizza, salads
• Chives – scrambled eggs, butter, dips

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Olive Tree Care Tips

For container-grown trees on a decking or patio

☀️ Sunlight:
Loves full sun – aim for 6+ hours daily.

💧 Watering:
Let the top inch of soil dry before watering.
Avoid overwatering—drought-tolerant once established.

🌿 Feeding:
Use a Mediterranean plant feed or balanced liquid fertilizer monthly in spring/summer.

🌱 Pruning:
Light prune in late winter or early spring to shape and encourage air flow.

🪴 Pot care:
Ensure good drainage—terracotta pots with holes work well.
Repot every 2–3 years to refresh soil and check root space.

❄️ Winter:
Protect from hard frosts—wrap the pot or move to shelter if temps dip below -5°C.

When Can I Pick Olives to Eat?

1. Olives grow after flowering
You’ll usually see tiny fruit form in late summer (Aug–Sept).

They grow slowly!

2. Harvest time depends on the type of olive you want:

• Green olives:
  Pick early – Sept to Oct
  They’re firm, a little bitter, and great for brining or pickling.
• Black olives:
  These are ripe green olives – picked later, Nov to Dec
  They’re softer, richer, and need curing to be edible.

Working away with the herbs.. Soundtrack for the moment “feels like summer” Samuel Jack