Herb Garden

[Miss Molly]

Inspired by Dazie's salsa garden thread, does anyone have any tips on starting a small herb garden?  I'd like to grow them indoors preferably; there is a nice windowsill in my soon to be new kitchen that gets plenty of light that I think would be a nice place for this.

I know Chia makes an herb kit; you get 4 small terra cotta pots and 6 packets of seeds for about $20.  Is this a good deal, or would going to  Home Despot or Lowe's and buying everything there be better?

Suggestions?

[swolt]

[DownSouth]

I'm going to start one this weekend.  I'd go to Lowe's or Home Depot so you can get exactly what you want.

[Bishamonten]

If you can do it outside, do it outside. 

[dazie]

If there's a farmer's market or greenhouse near you, see if you can get seedlings.  Much more satisfying to look at than a box full of dirt.  Last year I planted basil, oregano and chives in one of those hospital washbasin things they "give" you while you're in there.  It worked well, and it was easy to move around.  I think $20 is a bit steep for a few little pots and some dirt, but that's just because I'm a cheapskate.

Since it's going to be in your kitchen window, look around at thrift stores for nice big latte or coffee mugs.  Either drill a hole in the bottom or make sure there's lots of gravel in them and use them instead of plain pots.  Ditto with Mason jars or the like.

[nishi]

plus, some herbs - like oregano - are really hard to grow from seed. seedlings will run you about the same, even if you buy extra pots and potting soil.

but, herbs are hot-weather, sun-loving things. unless you get direct sunlight for most hours of the day through that window, you will probably end up with kind of scraggely plants. bish is right - you're going to have about 200% more success if you put them outside.

[Miss Molly]

I could keep them outside; I have a wraparound balcony!!  Keep in mind that I live in a subtropical climate.  So while they will get more than enough sunshine, they will also be subjected to the triple-digit heat that Southern Louisiana gets. 

[nishi]

I could keep them outside; I have a wraparound balcony!!  Keep in mind that I live in a subtropical climate.  So while they will get more than enough sunshine, they will also be subjected to the triple-digit heat that Southern Louisiana gets. 

as long as you keep them watered, they'll be fine. most of the herbs you'd be growing grow happily well down into south america.

[Mr. Ubiquity]

If there's a farmer's market or greenhouse near you, see if you can get seedlings.  Much more satisfying to look at than a box full of dirt.  Last year I planted basil, oregano and chives in one of those hospital washbasin things they "give" you while you're in there.  It worked well, and it was easy to move around.  I think $20 is a bit steep for a few little pots and some dirt, but that's just because I'm a cheapskate.

Since it's going to be in your kitchen window, look around at thrift stores for nice big latte or coffee mugs.  Either drill a hole in the bottom or make sure there's lots of gravel in them and use them instead of plain pots.  Ditto with Mason jars or the like.

did you leave the nutritionally valued substance in it to aid in plant growth?   OHH wait, i was thinking bedpan. NM

[DownSouth]

I could keep them outside; I have a wraparound balcony!!  Keep in mind that I live in a subtropical climate.  So while they will get more than enough sunshine, they will also be subjected to the triple-digit heat that Southern Louisiana gets. 

They'll be fine outside.  My stepmom has grown them for years.

[dazie]

If there's a farmer's market or greenhouse near you, see if you can get seedlings.  Much more satisfying to look at than a box full of dirt.  Last year I planted basil, oregano and chives in one of those hospital washbasin things they "give" you while you're in there.  It worked well, and it was easy to move around.  I think $20 is a bit steep for a few little pots and some dirt, but that's just because I'm a cheapskate.

Since it's going to be in your kitchen window, look around at thrift stores for nice big latte or coffee mugs.  Either drill a hole in the bottom or make sure there's lots of gravel in them and use them instead of plain pots.  Ditto with Mason jars or the like.

did you leave the nutritionally valued substance in it to aid in plant growth?   OHH wait, i was thinking bedpan. NM

[Mr. Ubiquity]

 

[dazie]

I don't want to think of human waste in my dang basil!!

[Mr. Ubiquity]

I don't want to think of human waste in my dang basil!!

well it isnt my fault you chose to imagine it..  i just gave you the tools to do so...

[dazie]

I don't want to think of human waste in my dang basil!!

well it isnt my fault you chose to imagine it..  i just gave you the tools to do so...

Hrmph.  YOU'RE the tool.

[Mr. Ubiquity]

ahhhhhhhhhhhhh, huh  huh... a  huh .. she said tool.

i gave you the key to open the door. i didnt make you open it, turn the light on, or look inside.

[ReBurn]

shoes match the belt.

[Miss Molly]

I did go to goodwill today, and I found the most awesome little copper cauldron!  I'm going to get my pops to drill a hole in the bottom.  Bought some deep plastic bowls also, 4 for $2.99, going to drill holes in those too.

[dazie]

I went to the farmer's market and got two beautiful purple basil plants in 4" pots.  Yay!

I'm off now to find something to put them in.  They deserve nicer than the hospital pan.

[Miss Molly]

So, I used Miracle Grow potting soil... was this a good choice?  It had a lot of sticks and crap in it. 

Or was there some other type of seeding soil I should have used?

[WileE]

That should do well, just don't fertilize the plants.

The biggest thing, especially being outside is drainage.  Need to keep moisture in the soil, but only to a point.  My mom used to put a couple inches of gravel (small gravel) in the bottom of the container so the soil would drain well.

[BigDun]

My wife packs the bottom of inch of the pots with Styrofoam packing peanuts for the same purpose. The Styrofoam is a lot lighter than rocks.

[ReBurn]

And it decomposes about as fast.  Which I guess is what makes it good for that purpose.

[BigDun]

Reduce, Reuse, Recycle

[dazie]

Reduce, Reuse, Recycle, Reburn