The grow your own + herb box thread

[fraser]

Hi,

I am interested in growing a few basic herbs and wondered if anyone could give me some tips... Just basil, rosemary, mint and thyme to start, maybe a couple of others. Possibly chillis if I can find some that are really hot. (Is it possible to grow scotch bonnets here?)

Firstly I wondered if I start from scratch-is it too late now? Or should I buy already grown plants from tescos or such alike and put them in the box? If you think tescos ones don't taste all that, then where could I buy some seeds or plants that would taste better?

As I use all the herbs quite alot so can see myself running out quite quickly, how could I get over this? Also if anyone could recommend a soil and any tips on watering etc that would be great. (Does it matter which way they face for example?)

A first thought was to make the box to fit under the window of my loglap shed. This would bring me to ask how big a pot should I go with for each? And is there anything specific that makes a good plant pot box?! Does anyone have any ideas on design, or has anyone made one of these before and could share photos?

Any help would be great! Enjoy the weather everyone

 

[RogerP]

There's a whole website devoted to herb growing ... here

 

[Woodchips2]

You can grow most herbs in a nice sunny position. I'd keep mint in a separate container because it will take over the pot.Plants from a garden centre or nursery are not expensive and usually better cared for than from a supermarket. You can grow scotch bonnet chillies but more likely to ripen if grown in a greenhouse or on a sunny windowsill. Hints on growing chillies at http://www.thechilliking.com/growing/gr ... ers-guide/.
Regards Keith

 

[JakeS]

Or should I buy already grown plants from tescos or such alike and put them in the box?

The grow-your-own pots from supermarkets never seem to survive, for me. I've had some which were treated the same as some other plants which are still thriving today, but they always seem to wilt and die about a month after purchase. A cynic might note that it's in the supermarket's best interest for this to happen... but I suspect it's more likely to do with parasites in their nurseries or something.

All the pots of herbs on the kitchen windowsill came from supermarkets one way or another - the only one which consistently looks healthy and grows was originally a pre-cut bit of rosemary from one of those fresh-cut-herbs-in-a-bag jobs. It was left over from the meal we were making and we stuck it in some soil just to see what would happen, now it's five or six times the size. ;-)


As The Eriba Turner suggests, we've had the most luck with the pre-grown pots/boxes of herbs from garden centres - or even once from B&Q. We had a lot of hassle separating the contents of a "six herbs in one box" deal from each other, but once it was done and they were repotted in larger pots and left in partial shade in the garden, we now have six separate thriving pots of herbs.

 

[Harbo]

If you have a garden buy small potted ones and plant them out.
As suggested, keep Mint in a large pot as it spreads everywhere!
They will survive our winters, except for Basil.

Rod

 

[whiskywill]

(Is it possible to grow scotch bonnets here?)

Where is here?

 

[fraser]

Thanks for all the great replies! Defiantly given me a few tips. Now just got to make the box when I have a couple of hours.

Here=Isle of Wight, sorry

 

[dickm]

Well, if it's IoW, you've got a chance. Up here, even mint looks around warily before emerging from the soil.

 

[Benchwayze]

You don't need too much space for herbs. Lift a few paving slabs in a sunny position, and just prepare the soil well. (Chuck in the contents of a few grow-bags if you like.)

And +1 with the warning about mint. It really can take over, so put it in a big pot, and bury the pot.

Find a pal with a bay-tree, take a cutting and grow it on, in a container.
HTH

 

[DrPhill]

You don't need too much space for herbs. Lift a few paving slabs in a sunny position, and just prepare the soil well. (Chuck in the contents of a few grow-bags if you like.)

And +1 with the warning about mint. It really can take over, so put it in a big pot, and bury the pot.

Find a pal with a bay-tree, take a cutting and grow it on, in a container.
HTH

It could look even more effective if the slabs are not contiguous - depends ipn your space. While you can grow most herbs from seed it is often quicker and simpler to buy ready grown ones from the garden centre. Look for healthy individual plants that have good root systems (I always remove the pots to look). If the root system completely fills the pots the plant may be 'pot bound'. This means that there are few growing points on the outside of the rootball, and so new root growth is slowed down. Either 'tease out' the roots, or just tear them to encourage new growth.

Two perennial herbs that you did not mention:
- Fennel: the leaves are good in salads, and the seeds are excellent in many dishes (add to rice for curries, add to fish sauces).
- Lovage: A peppery celery flavour. Young leaves are good in salads, seeds are a good substitute for celery seed in recipes.

Have fun.

 

[gardenshed]

Well, if it's IoW, you've got a chance. Up here, even mint looks around warily before emerging from the soil.

 

[mickthetree]

for supermarket bought ones, I've have great success since someone told me to thin them out. They pack loads of plants into each pot and they will soon die off. But if you separate them out carefully they seem to do much better. Plus you end up with loads of plants so you can give them to other people and look generous too boot! Not that I do that of course...

 

[Harbo]

I don't have a herb garden as such, but dotted around my garden among other plants are:
Bay, Lemon Balm, Marjoram, Rosemary, Sage, Thyme, French Tarragon, Chives, Mint - all which survive year on year. I also grow Parsley and Basil which I replace each Spring.

Rod

 

[fraser]

If there were left in the pot, not planted into the ground-how much would they grow and what could you get out of them would you say? And if I were to do it this way-how many of each would I need to have enough for say, a year or the summer. My soil is pretty poor here and I am guessing it would be a big task to get better stuff in.

 

[Woodchips2]

If there were left in the pot, not planted into the ground-how much would they grow and what could you get out of them would you say? And if I were to do it this way-how many of each would I need to have enough for say, a year or the summer. My soil is pretty poor here and I am guessing it would be a big task to get better stuff in.

They get root bound if you leave them in the pot. Rather than trying to generally enrich your soil just dig out a hole about 12" square x 6" deep , put your herb in the middle and pack around with some multicompost from the supermarket. As much as I criticise B&Q their multicompost is very good and is often on offer at 3 big bags for £10. It came out well in a Which test.
Regards Keith

 

[Harbo]

A lot of herbs like poor soils.
I only have about 4" of topsoil then it's rock chalk.

I make my own compost and over the years gradually improve the soil quality.

Rod