Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by a. foshee on April 17, 2009 at 7:35pm

Amber Paschal said:

Hey hon - I've grown stuff in pots for years. Make sure it's a big pot, good soil, and plant the seeds. As they grow, keep them pinched back and never take more than a third of the plant at any time. It's simple as that.

Permalink Reply by Denise Young on April 19, 2009 at 2:29am

I've done both seeds and the starter plants from nurseries for herbs. They are usually pretty easy from seeds, but obviously even easier from starter plants and well worth it if you only need one or two plants of each variety to get the starter plants. They do great in pots! Most herbs do. Just make sure they have good drainage, good bright sun, plenty of water (but don't ever let them sit in water, they like to have nice moist soil, but will rot if too wet) and room to grow, and then like Amber said, keep them pinched back regularly (I cook with mine quite a lot) but don't ever take more than about a third of the plant at a time. Really with fresh herbs it doesn't take much at a time to cook with anyway, they are so flavorful. Really herbs are the easiest gardening I think. Just have fun!

Permalink Reply by a. foshee on April 19, 2009 at 11:22am

Denise Young said:

I've done both seeds and the starter plants from nurseries for herbs. They are usually pretty easy from seeds, but obviously even easier from starter plants and well worth it if you only need one or two plants of each variety to get the starter plants. They do great in pots! Most herbs do. Just make sure they have good drainage, good bright sun, plenty of water (but don't ever let them sit in water, they like to have nice moist soil, but will rot if too wet) and room to grow, and then like Amber said, keep them pinched back regularly (I cook with mine quite a lot) but don't ever take more than about a third of the plant at a time. Really with fresh herbs it doesn't take much at a time to cook with anyway, they are so flavorful. Really herbs are the easiest gardening I think. Just have fun!

Permalink Reply by Jessica Solomon on April 21, 2009 at 10:52am

Basil's really easy - they love the heat of summer, need to be thoroughly watered, and thrive when you pinch them back (pesto, anyone?). When the white flowers appear, you know you've let it grow too far and it's time to cut back. Just make sure that the pot is not too small...anything less than 8 inches is too small (at least for my plant).

Permalink Reply by Carol Oberste on April 26, 2009 at 8:04am

I just started growing herbs in pots this year. I think it is a wonderful way to control the herbs. I am anxious to see if they will survive living in containers through the winter. We planted basil, sage, rosemary, mint, chives, lemon balm and a few others. So far they are thriving in the pots. And we are already using them in a few dishes...chicken and spaghetti.

Permalink Reply by Tammy Gonzales on April 30, 2009 at 11:02am

I love my fresh herbs and can't imagine cooking without them! My basil and thyme are having problems, however. I have them planted together with parsley and oregano and while those two are doing great, the basil leaves are turning yellow and flowering, despite my pinching back the flowers and cutting the green leaves. And the thyme just look dead. All four are in a window box with the basil in the middle and the thyme on the end (parsley is between them and oregano is on the other side of the basil), so I'm wondering if it's a water issue. Any advice? I'm ready to separate them into individual pots and see if that helps.

Permalink Reply by Nancy Norris on May 20, 2011 at 8:33pm

I think the parsely, might be letting off something that the other two can't handle. i know you should'nt plant parsely by some veggies because of what it letsoff will kill others. Hope that helps

Permalink Reply by J Mikutis on May 3, 2009 at 8:38pm

I always grow my herbs in pots, including sage, cilantro, and basil. I've never had any problems and always love the turn out. When the weather turns, I can bring them inside and extend the growing season just a little bit longer.

Permalink Reply by debbbie brunssen on May 9, 2009 at 6:49am

I grew basil in the garden last year, you need a big pot because they take alot of water, so you need to water alot, Cilantro gets big but even like basil you will be always cutting it back. Try it see how it works for you, but I also had some planted somewhere else. Good luck, Debbie from Nebr.

Permalink Reply by Lanier Hollingsworth Z8 TX on May 9, 2009 at 12:10pm

Jessica and Tammy, ... about the basil ... pinch it back before it flowers and you see the white petals. Pinch off the buds as soon as you begin to see them to make the plant be bushier, have big full leaves and last longer. Once it starts to bloom, the leaves will grow smaller. I don't let mine bud until the end of the season so it will set make some seed for next year. It will usually stop growing when it starts to get cool in the fall and even a light freeze will usually finish it off. When the first freeze is predicted, pull the whole plant up for your final harvest in the fall, make pesto and freeze it in ice cube trays to help you make it through the winter!

Permalink Reply by sabrina sullivan on May 11, 2009 at 10:39pm

When people have posted "big pot" -- can you be a little more specific? what depth of soil is recommended and what area? I need to plant parsley (1 plant), basil (2 plants), rosemary (2 plants), chive (1 plant), and sage (2 plants) ASAP before they die! I don't think I yet own an appropriate container. When planted in the ground last year my basil and rosemary did great and the sage just withered away and died.

Permalink Reply by Deborah Harvey on May 1, 2011 at 9:53pm

I put 1 basil plant into a huge 24 inch pot every spring in the corner of my deck where it gets a full days sun. I've had some grow to be 4 feet tall! I use Miracle Grow potting soil with the plant food mixed in and also pour a gallon of strong black tea (cooled) as a treat once every other week. Water them at least every other day when its cool and everyday when it's hot and pinch off all of the flower buds before they get a chance to bloom or the basil leaves will get considerably smaller. My downfall is cilantro ~I can't get it to grow to save my soul! I plant it by itself in a 14 inch pot with good drainage. It always grows well for about a month and then it just withers and dies ~ Any suggestions as to what I'm doing wrong?

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