window sill herbs

misskool

Am trying to stop paying extortionate prices for small pots of growing herbs that I chuck out every so often so am going to attempt to try and grow some. But I am a complete beginner and there will be a lot of stupid questions.

I have a few old pots of dead herbs which have compost (or what I presume are compost) can I re-use this or do I have to buy some?

What sort of box would be suitable? Would I need to get one with the holes or without the holes at the bottom?

How long will they take? How much do seeds normally cost?

How do I grow them? Sprinkle the seeds on top?

I always manage to kill everything green so this could be an interesting challenge.

Skint_Catt

I have three metal pots (bought from Lakeland Sale) which I've just planted Coriander, Chives and Basil in. I used new compost, so I don't know about using old stuff. I think my pots have one hole each at the bottom but I don't water them that much anyway - just use a water spray on them when they dry out.

My seeds cost 65p each pack (which was expensive!) and I just stuck my finger in 1 cm in the soil, sprinkled a few seeds in and then covered them up. Mine are just sprouting now on a South facing window near, but not on top of a radiator.

Good luck! (BTW I was told on here not to bother trying to grow them til spring - but do I ever listen )

Catt xx

Horace

The best things to grow are basil, thyme, parsley, chives and mint - you can buy small pots - I saw a set of three in my local charity shop for a £1. Cress is best grown on some damp kitchen towel placed on a food tray such as those that come with frozen lasagne or even use a washed out butter/margarine tub. I wouldn't use old compost because it may contain disease and you don't want that affecting the rest of your plants.

Keep your packets of seed in the fridge as it helps them last longer and just sew a few seeds at a time, so when you have used some of the herbs then grow some more. They are quite easy to do if you follow the instructions on the packet with regard to watering.

Queen_Marge

I am a keen gardener and love growing herbs. I often start plants off in pots on the windowsill and before planting them outside, and so generally this is an effective growing technique.

If you are interested in something a little quirky but fun you could try getting an 'Eggling' from firebox or IWOOT. They cost about £6 exc. postage and you get a packet of seeds (basil, thyme, or something else), a little 'egg' filled with compost, a small tray and growing instructions.

I have a lovely Basil eggling on my windowsill and it is still going strong from the summer!

~Chameleon~

I've got a large square planter near my backdoor (sheltered from wind/frost but has very little sun in the winter) which currently has Oregano, Thyme, Rosemary, Sage (this died off so I cut it back but I don't know whether it will re-grow) Chives, Coriander (recently sown and doing well) and Garlic, all of which apear to be thriving so far

I keep two Basil plants in the kitchen, normal and purple (should really pot up the coriander to bring indoors too as it's quite delicate) as I use these almost daily and I don't think they're as hardy outdoors.

pamplemousse

l usually buy a packet of coriander from a local shop they are quite inexpensive, not a packet of seeds from a gardening shop , just the ordinary seeds that you buy to use straight away in cooking.it works out very cheaply ompaare to the *seed* packets. it is a good idea to plant two pots at intervals so you always have a supply.add the chopped leaves at the end of cooking stews, soups etc

sammiboo

Good morning,

I dont mean to hijack the thread but I have started to grow my own herbs on the kitchen widow sill but they have gone floppy, they did stand up tall but now they have flopped on the side.

Can someone advise please as I havent done this before

Farway

sammiboo wrote: »

Good morning,

I dont mean to hijack the thread but I have started to grow my own herbs on the kitchen widow sill but they have gone floppy, they did stand up tall but now they have flopped on the side.

Can someone advise please as I havent done this before

assuming they are not just dried out do to lack of water, have a close look at the base / bottom of stalks of the plants, if a bit blackish or floppy then they have "damped off" which is a b*gger but common with seedlings & leafy window sill herbs

There is no cure, the root cause [no pun intended] is overwatering & general damp atmosphere plus static air and combined with low light conditions in winter, creates an excellent breeding ground for this problem

sammiboo

Many thanks for your reply.

The kitchen has a damp atomospere for a couple of hours in the evening (pans boiling) when I am making the evening meal. I dont think I have over/under watered them.

Would it be worth moving them into the spare room at the back see if they improve? I am just wondering if the kitchen is the right conditions for them?

Will have a look at the stalks tonight to see if they have any black on them.

This is the first time I have done this so i am very much a novice

Farway

Always worth a try, I assume it is heated after a fashion? No need for hot house, just 50 to 60F or so will do, lower even for tough old birds like mint

They may not recover but good luck

sammiboo

Just to update you

The herbs are fine now It was the corriander that was suffering but i didnt realise the corriander was drinking more water than the other herbs. I am now giving it twice as much water and they are thriving