Giving Herb growing a go

20 years ago

I've 'looked after' basil a couple of times and rosemary when given some, but they didn't live long.

But I do so would like to grow some herbs in pots. Some sage, mint, thyme, basil to begin with.

Any hints and tips and things to avoid for a beginner before I start? Shoud I get some seedlings instead of growing from seed? I live in the tropics. Should I have any problems here with these particular herbs?

Sharon

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Comments (5)

sallyforth_vic
20 years ago
I've only just started growing herbs in the last year or two, mainly from seed. I've never had much success with basil from seed, though, and usually buy seedlings. I have several thriving sage plants grown from seed, and a healthy bed of thyme grown from seed (which was an achievement for me, as I had killed thyme bought as plants several times in the past). Chives and parsley are great potted herbs too. My herbs in pots have done best grown on a sunny window sill rather than outside (especially basil), but that is probably because I live in a colder climate, and a sunny window sill is almost like a greenhouse environment. I'm sure you will do well (at least with some of your efforts!). Learning and improving on previous disasters is half the fun too! I wouldn't be half as proud of my thyme if I hadn't done so poorly with it before!
Daisyduckworth
20 years ago
For beginners, it's usually best to start with seedlings rather than seeds. There's so much to learn, you'll want to take a few short-cuts! I'm in the subtropics, and I have no trouble with any of the herbs you mention, in fact they seem to thrive on the heat and the humidity. Keep your herbs in full sun once they're mature, except for the mint which will be best in partial shade. Potted plants are high maintenance, so if you can possibly put your herbs into the garden, they'll pretty much look after themselves. Don't worry about fertilising, because most herbs do best in fairly poor soil. Excellent drainage, however, is essential. I'd keep your mint in as large a pot as you can manage - it can take over in the garden. It will need to be repotted regularly, as it has a very aggressive root system that soon chokes itself in a pot. For more detail, either search through this forum, or search on the web for 'grow rosemary' or whatever. Doing some homework before you buy your plants will help prevent losses.
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jac_mumoftwo
19 years ago
Im also giving herb growing a GO! Just like sharon, i too 'looked after' herbs, but think i have managed to kill the marjoram!!! I cut it down a bit and to get the excess twiggy bits off, and found it was still green... so am trying to love and nuture it back... any tips about how to get it to go off again!?!?!?
I have started my own parsley and thyme as was told these are two of the easiest ones to start!!!
We also have chives and rosemary!!! Which i think the rosemary is looking scraggly and at one point almost threw it away cause it looked dead, but it has picked up again! How can i promote new growth in rosemary???
Thanks :)
J
mistymorn
19 years ago
Coriandar bolts in the Tropics, Rosemary does not like wet feet it may grow better in a pot. I could not grow thyme up there but maybe I planted the seeds the wrong time of the year. no luck with the basil either, so I would stick to seedlings

MM
mkdesign
19 years ago
Last year, a strong basil plant just mysteriously appeared in the rose bed.. So this year I thought I would plant some seed and have had no luck in it germinating or growing. Funny that! Maybe another one will mysteriously appear again this year.

Giving Herb growing a go

Comments (5)

sallyforth_vic

Daisyduckworth

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mistymorn

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