Hey all, I was just wondering if
it was to late for starting some
herb plants.

I tried earlier this year to get
six different plants going, but
none of them got started. I
don't know if it was old top
soil, or bad weather.

The only fresh herbs I can buy
at the store is cilantro, and
parsley.

It may be a bit late to start from seed... but if you bought seedlings at a local market, you would have plenty of time for a long growing season! If seed is your only option.... I would say go ahead... even if you have to wait until Aug or Sept... it is still worth it!!

[ June 19, 2001: Message edited by: OneSockChef ]

[mudbug]

Jay,

The fastest growing culinary herbs are basil, sage, chives, watercress, parsley, and dill. To get an idea of how fast they grow, greenhouses will start these from seed at least 4-6 weeks in advance of selling them as starter plants for the general consumer.

It's never too late, but if you already tried it once, you should find out what happened that prevented your first batch from producing. You can always bring them inside for the winter. (A whole other issue.)

You're in Zone 6. What did you plant? How did you plant them? What kind of soil? How much light did they get? Were they inside or outside? How much did you water them? What was the temperature? How old were the seeds?

If you post the answers here, we may be better able to help you. There is also lots of information on this topic under this topic.

Since it's so late in the season, I would recommend going to a your local greenhouse or home store. You can find small starter plants for anywhere from 75 cents each to $2.50 each. Typically, you get what you pay for.

Let's try to find out what happened to your first batch before proceeding.

[ June 19, 2001: Message edited by: cchiu ]

I used 8" clay pots. I tried to grow Basil, Thyme, Oregano, Chives, Rosemary, and Cilantro. I used top soil that I bought last year for some flowers my wife planted, I think this is my problem cause my wife used the rest of the soil for some of her flowers and they died. She bought a new bag and those flowers bloomed nice and are still growing.

I had the pots in the kitchen window sill with about 6 hours a day of sunlight. Where I live I don't get much more direct sunlight than 6 hrs due to a hill right behind my house.

The seeds were bought new right before I planted them, but I don't know exactly how old they were.

The temperature is between 70 & 80 in th kitchen.

One thing I forgot to mention was when I started these plants it rained for like 25 out of 30 days and the weather has been below normal for most of the spring and summer.

thanks for your advice, I will get some starter plants and try this again, do you recommend cleaning the pots out with something or just getting new ones. they're not that expensive at wally world or K-mart.

[mudbug]

Jay,

There are so many factors as to why it may not have worked for you from seed. When looking for starter plants, use common sense. Avoid plants with the following if you can: yellow leaves, white spots, white fungus, wilted leaves, check to see if it's rootbound. Check to see if the roots are healthy by pulling the plant out of the pot.

If your wife had trouble with the soil, that's probabaly a good sign that was your problem.

Soil: Get a "soiless mixture" I can't stress enough how important this is. Don't spend $1.50 on a 40 pound bag of potting soil. Spend $8 to $13 on a bag as big as your torso that weighs a lot less than it looks. Or create your own mix (check the articles below). Many nurseries/greenhouses have the ingredients you can buy in small quantities. Don't get the soil that has pieces of bark and pellet size pieces of styrofoam. You want one that isn't lumpy, but soft, light and fluffy. The small investment will pay off and you can use it year after year by adding fertilizer and sterilizing it if container planting. You want a lot of drainage with herbs. They like to dry out.

Since it's summer, go ahead and leave them outside. Herbs like it hot and sunny. Clean the pots by filling a big bucket or your kitchen sink with water. Add 1/4 C bleach. Immerse the pots for at least an hour if not overnight. Rinse well. You can always buy bigger pots if you find your herbs are outgrowing your pots.

Some of the easiest and fastest growing herbs are basil, sage, chives, watercress, parsley and dill.

Good articles for you to read:

Good luck and let us know how it goes.
Starting Herbs Indoors (A very good article.)

Planting and cultivating herbs

For when you want to try from seed again:

another article about growing herbs

Good luck and let us know how it goes.

Thanks CCHIU,

Your very informative. I will try this again using your ideas. Hopefully it will work right this time.