"DanielCoffey" wrote in message

I am looking to grow between 4 and 8 different herbs outdoors in
containers for use in the kitchen next year

(though not actually vegetarian, we tend to eat very little meat -
something that can stave off the "What? Parsnips again?" syndrome of
winter soups would be appreciated).

but we have a large population
of snails and slugs. A large population! There are also a few wood
pigeons and squirrels, but they tend not to come too close to the
house. I am guessing that soft herbs such as Basil and possibly
Parsley would get chewed and sucked to nothingness within moments of
being set outside. We would prefer not to spray insecticide if at
all
possible.

If you have snails and slugs use snail pellets on the potting mix and
don't spray anything on the herbs at all.

One plant which is not a herb but which looks herb like and which I
wouldn't be without and which also fulfills the criteria of "not
parsnips" is Salad Burnett - looks great in a pot and will grow well
with herbs. I'd also grow coriander because it's always so lousy when
bought and Italian Parsley (because it doesn't catch in the throat
like ordinary parsley) and basil and mint. That gives a range of
non-meat based dishes to use them in (pesto, Lebanese mint/burghal
salad, Thai stir fries and the Salad Burnett in more normal salads.