Windowsill Herb Garden

[Chris Hopkins]

I'm toying with the idea of growing some herbs on a windowsill in my kitchen, has anybody done this or does anyone have any advice on the best way to go about it?

Would it be best to buy a rectangular pot and the herb seeds or individual plants already grown?

on another note my kitchen faces north and doesn't get alot of sunlight although I do have a south facing garden area, would they be best out there?

Chris

[HiRich]

Well, since nobody has replied:

• South is probably better. But of course with small pots you can move them.
• Some (particularly mint) are virulent. To stop them taking over you should use separate pots. Some others could go in larger decorative troughs.
• You may as well get growing plants rather than mess around with seeds, at least for your first attempt. Go to a decent garden centre rather than B&Q.
• Small pots, particularly clay/terracotta, dry out very easily. You need to be watering them very regularly - in Summer some pots can bake hard in one day. If you can't be sure to be checking them daily, look for a feeding/water storage system. There are things you can bury in the soil (or indeed half a Coke bottle upturned). There are plastic pots with a water reservoir beneath the soil. For clay, get them with a hole in the bottom and look for a large water tray - bit of gravel to lift the pot, and you have a large reservoir to tide over a couple of days.
• Wherever you put them, make sure you can see them - for decorative reasons, to see that they are not drying out, and to be sure they're not getting straggly.

[nightfever]

For those without the ability/inclination of having a windowsill one: http://www.aerogarden.co.uk/ Go on - someone buy it and tell us how rubbish it is!

[Romanymagic]

Depends what you want to go grow and what your cooking style demands the most of. I grow Rosemary, Mint, have a bay tree (for Bay leaves) and also grow Thyme. I tend to use these herbs the most hence growing them, you need to decide what would most suit you, then read up on growing species and then incorparate said herbs in your plan.

[bint]

Romanymagic said:

Depends what you want to go grow and what your cooking style demands the most of. I grow Rosemary, Mint, have a bay tree (for Bay leaves) and also grow Thyme. I tend to use these herbs the most hence growing them, you need to decide what would most suit you, then read up on growing species and then incorparate said herbs in your plan.

I'm the opposite. I find which herbs are the easiest and best to grow and adapt my cooking.

I love basil but find it difficult to grow, so tend to buy and grow other herbs instead.

[Stamp]

I have just bought some potted herbs from Tescos for the window sill.
Does this count?

[Tuscan Tart]

Stamp said:

I have just bought some potted herbs from Tescos for the window sill.
Does this count?

Snap, have just bought Basil, Thyme, Coriander and Parsley. Parsley is going great but the coriander looks a bit limp, hoping it will perk up.

[dickymint]

Stamp said:

I have just bought some potted herbs from Tescos for the window sill.
Does this count?

With the basil - tease out the individual stems and roots - pot them on individually

[escargot]

Tuscan Tart said:

Stamp said:

I have just bought some potted herbs from Tescos for the window sill.
Does this count?

Snap, have just bought Basil, Thyme, Coriander and Parsley. Parsley is going great but the coriander looks a bit limp, hoping it will perk up.

It won't. Those tesco ones are absolutely crap.

[Tuscan Tart]

My basil has gone ballistic, the top of the leaves have flowered, is this normal, or do I just chop them off?

[Aranell]

Tuscan Tart said:

My basil has gone ballistic, the top of the leaves have flowered, is this normal, or do I just chop them off?

I was always told you should chop the flowers off so that the plant concentrates it's energy on the leaves...

[Bob the Planner]

I grew parsley, basil, oregano, coriander and thyme in pots from seed. I even grew the coriander from the whole coriander seeds meant for cooking. Couldn't grow rosemary or a bay as I did not have sufficient room (only a windowsill).

This year I have a garden so have all of the above along with mint. Most of my cooking needs using fresh herbs are catered for.

[escargot]

Bob the Planner said:

I
This year I have a garden

If only. Fancy sub letting a parcel of it?

[Cotty]

I have just purchased some Oregano, Sweet Basil and Rosemary seeds. I bought plants previously but killed them, I think I over wartered them. Will have another go, will plant them tommorrow and keep them indoors until they get established.

[Cotty]

Aranell said:

Tuscan Tart said:

My basil has gone ballistic, the top of the leaves have flowered, is this normal, or do I just chop them off?

I was always told you should chop the flowers off so that the plant concentrates it's energy on the leaves...

The Basil seeds I bought today say "Do not allow plants to flower if leaves used for cooking"

[Bob the Planner]

Basil in particular is quite tender and needs to be protected from cold and especially frost. I move mine away from the window on frosty nights to prevent damage.

Rosemary on the other hand is very hardy and can be left out in the coldest of weathers.

On the subject of flowers, I pinch out the tops when it looks its going to flower and use them in the cooking.

Edited by Bob the Planner on Sunday 20th April 11:29