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Nigella sativa - to move or not to move?

REMF33REMF33 Posts: 731
in Plants

Quick question. I sowed some Nigella sativa in my herb patch in spring. I have three tiny plants as a result, but the other herbs are crowding them out. Will they tolerate being moved? Or should I just cut back everything else? (My herb patch is not that big, so it's a question of priorities, if I cut things back radically.) I have sowed some more in a pot, but I imagine this may be too late given how long it's taken the spring-sown ones to get to about three, rather weedy, inches high. I am growing for the seeds, of course, so quite keen to make it work this year, if possible.
I suppose what I am asking is, is it generally a bad idea to try to transplant nigella (given that one is advised to sow direct.)

Posts

  • Lizzie27Lizzie27 Posts: 12,494
    edited June 2021
    They don't like being transplanted unfortunately, unless you can do it when they are very young and small. Try watering them well, make the hole where you need to move them to first and dig them up carefully with a clumpful of the existing soil, then water them again carefully around the base - hopefully they might not even notice. 
    What are you going to use the seed for, may I ask?
    Sorry, I've just googled, didn't know you could eat them, I was thinking of the ordinary nigella (love in the mist) not the same thing?
    North East Somerset - Clay soil over limestone
  • REMF33REMF33 Posts: 731
    Thanks. Oh dear well it's a case of fingers crossed, then. I have a new gardener here today and wanted to get him to tackle the tangled herb patch. It seemed easier to just dig them up than ask him to try not to trample them down.
    I did grow some nigella from seed  in pots in a kind of 'I might as well give it a go' way - they didn't do brilliantly, but seem to be doing ok now they are in the ground. Maybe they prefer poorer soil, in which case my Nigella sativa may not be happy (I put them in pots.)
  • REMF33REMF33 Posts: 731
    One site says: Black cumin thrives in sandy, loamy or even heavy clay soil of any pH as long as there is adequate drainage. For best results, select a site in full sun. The plant will tolerate partial shade, however.
  • REMF33REMF33 Posts: 731
    Ha! I just realized the little nigella sativa plants I had carefully dug up and had been nurturing are... fennel seedlings! Doh. Good thing the nigella s. I sowed in a pot are doing well and about to flower. I am thinking of digging up my herb patch and starting again so they will come in useful.
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