Balcony/window box advice

[Hoover.]

I've just purchased some zinc window boxes which I am going to hang off my balcony railings.....I'm intending to grow some herbs in them, as feed up with spend £s each week and throwing them away as only need a little.

I know nothing about growing stuff.

First off do I leave the drain holes bunged or remove the bung

Second bought some soil stuff, but do I need to but shingle or something in the bottom, or just fill up the soil stuff

I realise they need regular watering, so have also bought a watering can

Now I just need to by some herbs...... guess supermarket ones in pots, or is still ok to grow from seed ? or are there better pre-grown ones available and if so where ?

Any pointers really would be helpful

Cheers
Hoover

[Stephanie Plum]

Herbs are pretty forgiving. No plant likes standing in water though so good drainage is key. Remove the bung, and mix three parts really good quality compost - say John Innes No 2 with one part potting gravel. To start I would suggest rosemary, a couple of different types of mint, (sage if you like eating pasta - some melted butter and a few sage leaves are very nice over fresh ravioli or the like) and some basil. They are all pretty resilient and if they thrive then you can be a bit more adventurous.

I have no idea whether the zinc is a good or bad idea though. Growing plants is a lovely thing - you might find yourself wanting more than a couple of windowboxes in a years time Good luck.

[LivingTheDream]

Whilst I agree with the previous poster - for those with some experience, I would suggest a simpler approach for the op as a complete newcomer to growing.

As said herbs are forgiving - but it depends what you actually eat - so worth stating what you use OP? Some are easier than others and we can help with specifics.

Generally, I would be tempted with leaving the bungs in and sticking an inch of gravel at the bottom, then fill with soil and use seeds. It will stay well drained but will be obvious when to water - also won't matter as much if you forget to water for a day or two - quite possible if you're not used to looking after plants.

[Hoover.]

It looks like both my lines of thinking are plausible solutions for the soil....... the second sounds more me

I'm looking to start of with some of the more classical herbs like rosemary, mint (love a mojito and a pimms in the summer), oregano and basil......... and maybe a bit more adventurous and see if I can grow some coriander (this is my pet hate from supermarkets as it dies of quickly)

[Griff Boy]

Hoover. said:

It looks like both my lines of thinking are plausible solutions for the soil....... the second sounds more me

I'm looking to start of with some of the more classical herbs like rosemary, mint (love a mojito and a pimms in the summer), oregano and basil......... and maybe a bit more adventurous and see if I can grow some coriander (this is my pet hate from supermarkets as it dies of quickly)

Watch out with mint, it will spread and take over the whole window box in less time than it takes to down the first mojito at a hot bbq!

[BigJonMcQuimm]

Of all the herbs I grow in the garden, the one that I really struggle with is basil.

It is a fussy blighter ... too much / too little sun .... too much / too little water.

Any tips for basil? I have it mixed with 1 part vermiculite, 1 part perlite, 3 part soil.

Thanks

[LivingTheDream]

Hoover. said:

It looks like both my lines of thinking are plausible solutions for the soil....... the second sounds more me

I'm looking to start of with some of the more classical herbs like rosemary, mint (love a mojito and a pimms in the summer), oregano and basil......... and maybe a bit more adventurous and see if I can grow some coriander (this is my pet hate from supermarkets as it dies of quickly)

sounds fine - don't grow rosemary from seed, will take too long to get a decent enough sized plant - buy a small plant. the rest are fine from seed.

coriander can be quite difficult as it likes things in a particular way - and tries to go to seed quite quickly.

I'd get started though if you want some mint for those BBQ mojitos!!

[LivingTheDream]

BigJonMcQuimm said:

Of all the herbs I grow in the garden, the one that I really struggle with is basil.

It is a fussy blighter ... too much / too little sun .... too much / too little water.

Any tips for basil? I have it mixed with 1 part vermiculite, 1 part perlite, 3 part soil.

Thanks

strangely - I don't find any problems with basil - other than trying to flower quickly, just need to pinch out the tops.

I tend to keep things very simple - just compost in a pot and seeds on that. I do keep a tray under the pot so I can water well and the soil stays moist rather than let it dry out - they don't like that.

[Matt_N]

Hoover. said:

It looks like both my lines of thinking are plausible solutions for the soil....... the second sounds more me

I'm looking to start of with some of the more classical herbs like rosemary, mint (love a mojito and a pimms in the summer), oregano and basil......... and maybe a bit more adventurous and see if I can grow some coriander (this is my pet hate from supermarkets as it dies of quickly)

Get down to your local nursery, they'll have small herb plants for around £1.50 to £2 each.

I've just re-stocked mine with Vietnamese corriander, purple sage, morrocan mint, aleady had some garden mint, rosemary, oregano and thyme in there.

[Hoover.]

Order a selection of herbs, pretty similar to the post above........ going to keep the mint in a pot buried in balcony box, so hopefully this should keep it contained