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Where are my HERB experts? I'd like to grow lots of basil and parsley

alexemmersonukalexemmersonuk Posts: 171
in Fruit & veg
Hello everyone! 
I'd love to grow LOTS of basil and parsley and was wondering if i could have some tips to get me started as I've never grown them before. 

Is it best to grow then from seed - or would you buy a small plant (I do enjoy growing from seed if that's acceptable). 

If from seed, where's the best place to get the seeds from? Do you have a favourite "brand"? 

Best time to sow? 

Do they prefer full sun / shade / in between? 

Are they prone to any type of insects / pests that I should get ready for? 

How long roughly will it take from sowing to being able to use in cooking? 

Thank you so much!!! :) 
Growing a pink garden, one plant at a time....
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  • herbaceousherbaceous Posts: 2,318
    I would hedge your bets alexemmersonuk and get a pot of basil and one of parsley from the supermarket. They will have loads of plants in them which you can repot or put in the garden.  I usually save basil seed from year to year but other herb seeds I need I generally get from Jekka McVicar  https://www.jekkas.com/  

    Partial shade for both basil and parsley both of which are very tempting for slugs, well drained soil for the plants and patience for the parsley seeds which can take a while to germinate.  I tend to grow basil in pots, one for the kitchen, one for the greenhouse (I love a fresh basil leaf with a fresh picked cherry tomato!) and one outside for next years seed.

    I don't have a lot of success with parsley seed (so the old wives will tell you I don't wear the trousers!) but usually manage to keep the plants going from year to year by splitting and overwintering.

    Good luck and happy gardening  :)
    "The trouble with having an open mind, of course, is that people will insist on coming along and trying to put things in it."  Sir Terry Pratchett
  • BobTheGardenerBobTheGardener Posts: 11,385
    edited July 2020
    I grow basil from seed which is easy.  The seeds come from Nicky's Nursery (online) who have a great range of types - the 'spice boys' mix is excellent if you want a range on the cheap from 1 packet.  Sow anytime during spring or summer in small pots on an indoors windowsill or in a greenhouse.  Grow them into quite large plants (5-6 weeks after germination) if you intend to plant them outside later and they'll need hardening off before planting.  The same works for flat-leaved parsley (I don't grow the curly type.)
    You should be able to start harvesting basil after about 6 weeks, but always leave at least 2 leaves on each stem you cut, so they can form and grow back from sideshoots
    A trowel in the hand is worth a thousand lost under a bush.
  • B3B3 Posts: 27,505
    I'm not an expert but I buy supermarket plants and pot them on. Parsley seeds take quite a long time to germinate so you'll have the supermarket ones to keep you going.
    Basil is not hardy so a frost will kill it. The supermarket greek basil makes an attractive ball shaped plant. It likes the sun and plenty of water.
    Parsley isn't so particular about the sun but if you let it get too dry it will bolt and produce flowers. It will then not be much good for cooking.
    In London. Keen but lazy.
  • alexemmersonukalexemmersonuk Posts: 171
    @herbaceous
    Thank you for that - I should probably have mentioned that I am a complete beginner ( and also English is not my first language, which can confuse things for me sometimes), so would you mind explaining what you mean by "I usually save basil seed from year to year" - does that mean you somehow get the seed from the plant? Or you buy enough to use the following year?? 

    Also, what's meant by "well-drained soil" please? 

    And will putting the pots on a high table help guard against the slugs? 

    Thank you!
    Growing a pink garden, one plant at a time....
  • alexemmersonukalexemmersonuk Posts: 171
    Thank you @BobTheGardener
    Got it :)
    Growing a pink garden, one plant at a time....
  • alexemmersonukalexemmersonuk Posts: 171
    @B3
    thank you for that! I didnt know what bolting meant, I have now looked it up! Learnt something new today!! Haha - should have said I was a total beginner!! :) 
    Growing a pink garden, one plant at a time....
  • SkandiSkandi Posts: 1,723
    I grow a lot of parsley, I sow from seed in trays in March and split them up and plant them out around May. Parsley is a Biannual meaning it will grow lots of leaves and a big root in the first year and then in the second year it will flower and die. If you leave the  flowers alone it will seed itself without any help from you. If you want to start now then go to the shop and buy one of those little pots of parsley, it is not just one plant but lots of little seedlings. gently split them up and plant them, keep them well watered until they start to grow which may take a while, parsley doesn't really like to be disturbed.
    Mine is growing in full sun on sandy chalky soil, it will grow pretty much anywhere as it's not very fussy. I don't find parsley has many pests, sometimes aphids when it flowers.
    Basil I cannot help with I don't grow it!
  • alexemmersonukalexemmersonuk Posts: 171
    @Skandi
    Thanks for that! What do you mean by "it will seed itself"? 
    Growing a pink garden, one plant at a time....
  • GemmaJFGemmaJF Posts: 2,286
    You can sow parsley from seed now, it a good time as it is less likely to go to flower than spring sowings.

    Basil we do in pots. Fill with MPC, sprinkle with seeds, lightly cover with soil, water. We usually put a sheet of plastic over the top as basil likes warm conditions for germination. Once they are up, that's it, remove the cover and  you can start harvesting as soon as there are developed true leaves.

    Easy as.
  • SuesynSuesyn Posts: 664
    @alexemmersonuk
    It will seed itself just means that if you plant it in the ground and leave it to flower it will then go on to produce seeds which will fall to the ground and start to grow. Many lazy gardeners like me just let lots of hardy annuals like nigella and forget me nots sow themselves and enjoy the unexpected combinations that sometimes happen.
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