Advice
RHS Help & Advice
Producing herbs and salads in growing-bags
Whether as an alternative to a traditional vegetable plot or useful addition, growing-bags are a versatile and economical means to produce an edible crop where space is restricted
Choosing a crop
Growing-bags are a cheap and effective way of cultivating vegetables in the smallest of spaces - balconies, mini-glasshouses, patios, porches and even windowsills. By cutting out one long panel along the top, growing-bags can be used as a shallow bed for closely spaced leafy crops such as endive, chicory, Chinese greens, leaf beet, lettuces, rocket (right) and spinach.
There is almost always a sunny spot near the kitchen with room enough for a growing-bag for herbs. Parsley and mint are useful, while the taste of the freshest, home-grown basil and coriander is often superior to shop-bought. Radishes are easy to grow, especially if spaced at 5cm intervals.
Ideally, sow a new growing-bag whenever the current crop is almost ready to pick. Sow seed densely, by taking out a shallow groove every 5cm, sprinkle it in thinly (about a finger width between each seed) and cover with compost, watering to settle the surface. Some thinning is usually needed for a final distance between each plant of 2.5cm. Finger-size carrots and baby beetroot are rewarding as well, given the same space as radish.
Harvesting
Salad-leaf crops can be picked easily by snapping off the outer leaves and leaving a mini-stump. This can result in several leaf pickings from each bag.
Guy Barter