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Best way to keep those supermarket herbs alive (if any)

janntimsonjanntimson Posts: 54
in Fruit & veg
So these are about the only herbs I can get hold of in the current climate. I've read things online saying split them into about 5 different plants then repot. This is fine but I have corriander, basil and parsley and chives so that's an awful lot of pots.... I do have some topsoil plus compost and some really large plantpots. Would whacking the whole plant into one of those containers work since that'd presumably give the plants the growing room they need? Or would you recommend stick with the 'divide the plants up' method? Thanks  

Posts

  • LG_LG_ Posts: 4,360
    I think I would still divide them, even if I then planted them into one container.
    'If you have a garden and a library, you have everything you need.'
    - Cicero
  • Singing GardenerSinging Gardener Posts: 1,237
    The problem with supermarket herbs is that they cram too many seeds in one pot. I should think that putting them into one much larger pot would work but I would still split them up and spread them around the larger pot to give the roots plenty of room.
  • janntimsonjanntimson Posts: 54
    Thanks. That makes very good sense! I wish they'd just sell them as piddlier plants that stand a chance of survival in the first place. Such a waste of plastic and growing energy to grow them the way they do. 
  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    They don't all like the same conditions.
    The basil will need protection, warmth and good drainage. Chives and parsley are quite tough, and will tolerate cooler, damper conditions. Chives will grow in shade too, so you could plant some of those in the garden once they're acclimatised. 
    Coriander would probably be fine in with the basil though, and is a bit tougher than basil normally. 
    Keep them inside for a while though - it's only early April, and these plants are grown in very protected conditions. Once summer arrives, you can put them all outdoors though, as long as it's warm enough where you are for the basil   :)

    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • B3B3 Posts: 27,505
    Ive had good success with repotting supermarket herbs. Much cheaper than garden centre plants.  I put them straight into a larger pot. You can even pot up used ones provided there's a few leaves left.
    If chives look vigorous, i put them straight into the ground. The only one that doesn't do particularly well is thyme. It has probably been forced too much.
    In London. Keen but lazy.
  • TopbirdTopbird Posts: 8,355
    Every spring I divide pots of supermarket parsley and basil into 5 or 6 and put each fifth into it's own 4 or 5" pot and leave to grow on a bit under cover. They are hardened off from about the end of this month and then planted in the ground (note - basil won't withstand any very cold nights). I'm still using the chives I treated like this years ago and the clumps get a little bigger year on year.

    Stems of basil and thyme can be stuck in a jar of water on the kitchen windowsill where they sprout roots quickly and easily. When a few roots have developed each stem can be carefully (the roots are fragile) potted up to make a new plant.

    You might be able to do the same with coriander (never tried it) but I always grow coriander from seed. You can order seeds online. Calypso is a good bolt resistant, cut and come again variety of coriander. Sow now and you can start harvesting in about 6 weeks.
    Heaven is ... sitting in the garden with a G&T and a cat while watching the sun go down
  • janntimsonjanntimson Posts: 54
    edited April 2020
    Thanks all. I've split them and potted them into large pots with some topsoil and some compost. If they don't survive I at least had a lot of fun with my young daughter doing this  :) 
  • GemmaJFGemmaJF Posts: 2,286
    janntimson said:
    Thanks all. I've split them and potted them into large pots with some topsoil and some compost. If they don't survive I at least had a lot of fun with my young daughter doing this  :) 
    99% of what gardening is about. Even if it doesn't work this time (I hope it will!) you are step closer to getting it right. Keep them well watered until they establish, a little protection over them if frosts forecast if they are outside. Plants want to grow, we just have to give them a chance to do it.
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