How to start growing own hebs?

amalis

Hello!
Maybe my question is a bit naïve, but I never had a garden or was inclined to grow anything of own. Now I want to start my own small herbs garden. I wan to plant dills, parsley, sage, basil, mint. And I want to grow them outside (its a south facing garden, but has lots of shade from nearby trees). Where do I start, ie what do I buy? Shall I plant in pots or directly in the soil? When its raining do I cover my crop with something? Is it a good time to plant now?


Thank you!

LameWolf

Do NOT plant mint directly into the soil, keep it contained or it will take over the entire plot!
That said, it's an easy herb to grow, as are rosemary and chives.
If you want to grow basil, treat it as an annual, as it's not hardy.

Hopefully someone more knowledgeable than myself will be along soon.;)

Farway

Herbs are easy really, but do like some sun but will tolerate shade

As stated, do not let mint loose, large pot only

Basil is annual, and will not overwinter, so fresh sowing every year

Sage, makes a lovely bush, I suggest you buy a potted one, in the greengrocer aisle, in the likes of Asda. They never water them and often are reduced to under 50p. They will recover

Same for any other herb that you fancy, parsley will run to seed, but makes a lovely plant that bees love, plus free seeds to sow fresh. Parsley is renown for being a bu66er to germinate, same say the Devil takes them, hence pour boiling water in the drill before sowing [gives warm soil at least] and use fresh seed

No need to cover crops, they are tough stuff, except perhaps Basil

amalis

Wow, the whole new world for me.
Can I start planting now or I shall wait till spring?

SailorSam

If you're planting in pots, i go to Morrisons and ask have they got any buckets that the cut-flowers were in. They sell them for about 10 for £1.

amalis

SailorSam wrote: »

If you're planting in pots, i go to Morrisons and ask have they got any buckets that the cut-flowers were in. They sell them for about 10 for £1.

Thanks for the great tip. I live near big Morrisons and will try my luck

LaineyT

If you can, pick up a secondhand copy of the Complete Herb Book by Jekka McVicar, have had my copy for 20 years and it's taught me a lot.
It shows how to look after all herbs, in pots or garden, their culinary & medicinal uses and a month by month guide to care etc.

pollyanna_26

Hello I agree with Lainey regarding Jekka she is the real expert .
There is a small but pretty chunky book which is a really good guide to a new grower . The herb garden for cooks - full price about £6.99 but you may see it in cs or an online seller for less . It is a very comprehensive guide through all the information a beginner would need . It covers the process from starting out to using herbs in various ways including some great recipes . I have recommended it to many and bought it to gift to others .
One warning once you start growing herbs you will join those of us who have the addiction and live and literally breathe herbs !
Take note of Lame wolfs advice re mint .
Wish you luck and don't be afraid to ask us questions - I am not online often but do try to catch up each day .
polly

herbily

Hi Amalis - all the usual garden centres sell herbs in small pots that you can just put straight out into the ground now. They'll have a few weeks to settle before the cold sets in. Equally as Farway says, the herbs in pots in the veg aisle in supermarkets will generally grow but they're often a bit spindly to begin with. Basil won't survive a frost, but the rest will - even if they die back a bit, they'll come good in the spring as long as nothing's eaten them.


I find in my garden that coriander doesn't survive the birds and slugs, but sage, dill, parsley and mint are fine. There's only one way to find out what does well for you - get planting!


Jekka's herb farm has a long list here: https://www.jekkasherbfarm.com/plants
Perennial means it should come up every year, annual means it comes up once, and biennial means you plant it one year, it flowers the next (and then it dies back). Most herbs are perennials.


PS you can grow them all from seed, but it takes a while, and at this time of year you'd probably have to keep them indoors until spring.