Growing Herbs
NoviceHerbs
Posts: 126
Dear All,
I have been Growing Veg and Herbs for a few years but I really want to gain Knowledge and try to grow some lovely herbs that last
At the moment I am Growing outside Sage , Oregano in pots o , but due to recent research I have decided to replant them as I used Top soil when I should of used a compost I chose a westland multi purpose compost which doesn't have peat which I hope was a good pick and will replant in a few days, was this is a wise choice ?
My initial questions is how often should I use liquid fertilizer
for the following herbs , Dill , Chervil , Thyme , Rosemary , Oregano, Sage, Parsley, bail , Coriander and Vietnamese Coriander ?
Also can all herbs be pruned and if so, when should you start and is it as simple as snipping the top ends of the plants.
I am also growing Horse radish but that is completely in Topsoil will this badly affect my chances ?
Thanks for your advice
Posts
There's nothing wrong with topsoil, it's what all my plants grow in, just not in pots.
You need something free draining for the thyme, rosemary and sage
Herb pruning is very much about snipping off pieces and using them
I would go light on the fertilizers, the harder herbs are grown the stronger the taste and the hardier they are. This may not apply to Vietnamese coriander, I don't know what that is.
In the sticks near Peterborough
Thank you Nutcutlet
Yeah Topsoil would be great for growing in soil but all my herbs except mint are grown in pots , so I used the mistake of using topsoil in pots and will now need to replant. I hope the plant are not disturbed by the change
How much pruning do you do and on often do you do it.
Shall I stick Fertilizer to once a month or just before the growing season ?
Can you prune chilli Plants ?
Mint is the one that should be kept in a pot, it's a thug and will happily spread itself all over open ground. I don't feed my herbs anything
Jekka McVicar advises as a general rule for herbs in containers, 4 parts top soil, 3 parts compost, 3 parts coir or wood fibre or composted fine bark and one part sharp sand. She recommends a folar feed with liquid seaweed regularly while the plant is growing. If you want specific advice on each of your herbs, I recommend her complete herb book in which she gives advice on the ideal potting mix and feeding regime for each different herb, but to pick two from your list, she says Vietnamese coriander does well in containers with a loam based potting compost, whereas coriander is more difficult needing a large deep pot in partial shade with 50/50 mpc and composted fine bark.
It's a really useful book - if you're serious about getting good at herbs, I'd highly recommend starting there.
Nut - Vietnamese coriander is more often called persicaria I think
“It's still magic even if you know how it's done.”
thanks raisingirl
In the sticks near Peterborough
Wow Thanks for all the Advice , And i Am serious about getting good at Herbs , but to be honest I kinda blown my Gardening Budget buying plants , pots and Compost , Will having compost soil that I purchased be ok.
Also Philippa when you say oregano is an annual plant and u sow next season , does that mean the seeds ? Sorry for my ignorance.
Thanks Kiity 2 , Philippasmith2 and raisin girl for your advice thus far.
Just a note I dont not have a green house and I am keeping all my chillis and some delicate herbs in the conservatory , I prob put them all out in late June is this wise?
Regards
There are two types of oregano, both can be perennial but the one usually sold as 'Greek' oregano is very hardy and basically evergreen (it also self seeds prolifically). The softer Italian types will overwinter in a cold greenhouse but get a bit leggy so are better cut regularly throughout summer and and new plants sown in spring. (you can dry any you don't use through the year - dried oregano is very easy and really tasty).
Chillis vary - I have ones that do better outside because they don't like it really hot (rocoto type) and some that only ripen in dry heat (mexican hot type). Most tender herbs like basil will be happy outside from June to September as long as it's not too windy.
“It's still magic even if you know how it's done.”
Thanks Raisin , Will Oregano just come back next year ? like my chives , tarragon , and leeks , which i have not done anything to , just left them alone.
Also where in the world are you from ?
I've always found herbs pretty hardy and easy to care for. I've got a tub with rosemary, marjoram, chives and thyme in it and it's doing great with no input from me apart from an occasional feed with baby bio.
They've been planted about 4 years in multi purpose compost and have never been repotted but none of them seem to be suffering.
AutumnGlory your very lucky , whats your tips for pruning and what soil do you use ?