15 replies to this topic

[MicheleMarie]

Starting an Herb Garden!!! the majority of it is going to be inside with a few chosen ones outside as i don't have a lot of room outside.
my question is....which ones to grow??
i have a list of about 50 but that will be impossible! i want to use them for cooking and for teas. so i want the basics of course like basil, thyme, oregano and rosemary. i also want peppermint and speariment. i was also thinking catnip, nettle, chamolmile, lavender and man...well a WHOLE lot.
what herbs do you suggest?

[NoonDaySun]

I grow Basil, parsley, mint, thyme, chives, dill, & rosemary! Those are the ones I use the most in cooking. As for the mint, come the hot summer months, I would suggest homemade mint lemonade!

[Brendita]

If you plant any kind of mint outdoors, keep it in a container or it'll take over your whole freakin yard! Chives are awesome, but very invasive, too. Lavender is lovely outside. It comes back every year and needs almost no attention. I like to grow dill, basil, rosemary, cilantro. Be sure to cut the flower buds off of whatever herbs you grow or they'll get bitter.

[MicheleMarie]

everything is going to be in pots and containers i think dill is the only herb i really don't like. i heard that to dry the herbs for storage that you take the leaves off as soon as you see flowers? does that sound right?

[NoonDaySun]

I always pinch the flowers off my herb plants. Once the plant flowers and goes to seed, it's done producing for the year, and will start to die back. By removing the flower buds, you prevent this, which means you get a longer harvesting season!

[MicheleMarie]

i think i read that too. to enjoy the herbs fresh at its peak you pick them when you see flower appear but you also cut off the flowers and to dry the leaves thats when you pick them.
yay!!! im getting seeds next week so will show you guys pictures!!

[Brendita]

I used to dry the whole stalk of an herb upside down, from a hanger.

I think I'm going to grow SOMETHING this year. Last year was the 1st year we didn't plant/grow anything. I'd like to grow tomatoes and peppers (in containers) on the deck. Some herbs might be good, too. We have a lot of empty space in the backyard... maybe some root vegetables. BUT, we also have a groundhog, Colonel Felipe. He might ruin my would be garden. I would love to grwo some lettuce, but I know that would be a salad bar for the squirrels. SIGH. Maybe a mescalin mix in a container...?

[MicheleMarie]

i may be cutting back my herb supply. im going to try to grow a crap load of veggies. this awesome garden center called timberline gardens. next month they have a trough gardening class and in may they have a class about growing an entire garden in containers! http://www.timberlin...able-gardening/
im hoping i can even grow them through the winter with our lighting equipment!

[Brendita]

I only grow veggies in containers, MMP. It's great b/c you don't have to weed. I have never grown them indoors, though. Our cats would eat them any ways...

[NoonDaySun]

I have all sorts of awesomness in my garden right now! AND, one of our local farmer's just brought a big bag of organic lettuce, kale, spinich, green onion, cilantro, thyme, and parsley to my door Friday afternoon! It's wonderful to make a big salad while I wait for my stuff to get big enough to eat! Farmer's market opens next month too!
MM - beware of growing veggies indoor with lamps. You can do it, and they often turn out beautiful, but they seem to lack some flavor. I can always tell when a tomato has been grown under lights or not...

[Brendita]

YES! That's true about the flavor of "lamp veggies". They have almost no flavor.

[norcal4]

Lemon verbena (aka lemon balm) is easy to grow and makes a great tea!

[Brendita]

Lemon verbana is lemon BALM?!?? Get OUT!

[Brendita]

I finally figured out how grow basil indoors!! I kept the plants in their original plastic pots. I put these pots into slightly larger ceramic pots. I add about an inch of water to the ceramic pots (watering from the bottom). The plants have been thriving for nearly 6 months !!! Fresh basil year round!! I'm going to try rosemary and sage next...

[MerryLand]

Fresh basil year round? That's great! Thanks for sharing the tip

[Miss Giving]

Yes, thanks a lot, Brendita. I'd love to be able to grow herbs indoors! I'll try to pick up some potted herbs at the Farmer's Market.