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Post by madonplants on May 1, 2007 13:08:19 GMT 1
Can anyone suggest some herbs that would cope with our kitchen windowsill that faces south? We have mint and chives that are doing OK, but struggle with parsley, so any suggestions will be gratefully received.
Thanks
Keith
P.s. I hope this is the right place to put this!
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Post by The witch on May 1, 2007 15:16:27 GMT 1
How about basil, coriander and dill for starters.  I have trouble with parsley too - I think my south facing window sill gets a bit hot for it at times or it doesn't like the fact I cook with gas.  |
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Post by madonplants on May 1, 2007 16:11:22 GMT 1
Thanks The witch, I had thought about basil, but not the other two. So it is just not us, that struggles with parsley then? We don't cook with gas, but the gas boiler is in the kitchen. I have tried tap water, rainwater or even filtered water, but they all still end up looking dreadful. Going to see if I can save our present one and put outside. Will have to see if OH would use those mentioned as well first, I suppose.
Keith
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Post by sweetleaf on May 1, 2007 16:17:19 GMT 1
I grow all my herbs outside, the windowsill fries everything I put on it! Thyme is an easy one too.
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Post by madonplants on May 1, 2007 23:17:20 GMT 1
Thanks SL. It is just that OH wants some inside as well. We have a few in pots outside and a few in the temporary border, but she bought a nice set of three stainless steel containers on a nice tray and thought herbs, as we are going over to s/s in the kitchen. Don't think they help actually as they must heat up, but I won't tell her if you don't!!  Sorry I have only just got back to you, been nervous for the game tonight!! We won so am happy, now. Keith |
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Post by sweetleaf on May 1, 2007 23:20:00 GMT 1
They dont have to be on the windowsill, as long as they are near ithe window so they get decent light I have a shelf over the sink which is within 3 feet of the window, herbs do ok there  |
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Post by madonplants on May 1, 2007 23:36:59 GMT 1
They dont have to be on the windowsill, as long as they are near ithe window so they get decent light I have a shelf over the sink which is within 3 feet of the window, herbs do ok there Shelf, now what square inch can I use! Have to think on that one. Keith |
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Post by sweetleaf on May 1, 2007 23:46:34 GMT 1
Im off to bed, Keith See you tomorrow!  |
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Post by plocket on May 2, 2007 8:27:36 GMT 1
If it's that sunny Madon you could probably get away with a small variety of Rosemary. Jekka's herb farm is a good place to look and I'll give you the link if you need it.
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Post by madonplants on May 2, 2007 9:43:24 GMT 1
If it's that sunny Madon you could probably get away with a small variety of Rosemary. Jekka's herb farm is a good place to look and I'll give you the link if you need it. Oh thanks, Plocket. Yes that might work and she like rosemary. Found them, did a search. I can't believe how many rosemarys you can get, will ask her later or maybe now she has just skyped me. Back in a min. Noticed they do 'Capri' which I unfortunately left in the garden at Oakham. My favourite car would you believe!? Keith |
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Post by plocket on May 2, 2007 10:01:36 GMT 1
Hehehe! There's something about capri's  Yes there are LOADS of rosemary's and I don't think you can go wrong buying from Jekka. Just one word of advice though - I think her delivery charges could be fairly high so if you are going to go to any gardening shows, see if she's going to have a stand and arrange to collect whatever you want. You obviously have to order in advance though in case she doesn't have what you want in her show-stock. |
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Post by debbiem on May 2, 2007 10:57:48 GMT 1
I just cannot grow thyme!  I had some in a plant pot on a sunny patio where I used to live and it thrived, but on putting it in the garden here it suffered badly. Two or three thymes later and I'm resigned to the fact that it just doesn't want to live here. But on a sunny windowsill, without the danger of slugs etc, I should think it would do well. And there are so many attractive ones. |
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Post by 4pygmies on May 2, 2007 16:15:15 GMT 1
Just seen this thread and can't resist joining in as I LOVE herbs...you'll never grow parsley in a very hot and sunny windowsill, Keith ,as it prefers moist shade! The others have mentioned all the ones I was going to suggest you try but I would just add that the only herb I've ever found that really demands those conditions is Basil. It absolutely loves the heat and will grow like mad - there are many different ones which you could grow to make a decorative display as well as use them for cooking. I would suggest Sweet Basil, Purple Leaved Basil, Greek Basil and Ruffled Leaf Basil but there are many fantastic others - Anise, Lime, Cinnemon, Spice ......
And I can't grow Thyme either Mrs B. It never thrives in my garden and not even in a pot for long. Cheery can grow it beautifully and even sculpts it into perfect little rounded shapes.....I think it likes being trimmed actually but I never remember to do it before it's half dead...
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Post by madonplants on May 2, 2007 17:37:45 GMT 1
Just seen this thread and can't resist joining in as I LOVE herbs...you'll never grow parsley in a very hot and sunny windowsill, Keith ,as it prefers moist shade! The others have mentioned all the ones I was going to suggest you try but I would just add that the only herb I've ever found that really demands those conditions is Basil. It absolutely loves the heat and will grow like mad - there are many different ones which you could grow to make a decorative display as well as use them for cooking. I would suggest Sweet Basil, Purple Leaved Basil, Greek Basil and Ruffled Leaf Basil but there are many fantastic others - Anise, Lime, Cinnemon, Spice ...... And I can't grow Thyme either Mrs B. It never thrives in my garden and not even in a pot for long. Cheery can grow it beautifully and even sculpts it into perfect little rounded shapes.....I think it likes being trimmed actually but I never remember to do it before it's half dead... Thanks 4P. Didn't know that about parsley. I know thyme need very good drainage and not a lot of feed to thrive, a bit like a wildflower, so could that be a problem? I was told that when I bought some years ago and did reasonably well with it in the ground. Never tried it in a pot. Maybe I should look up herbs on the 'net or even buy a dedicated book on the subject, if OH really wants to get into them, big time! Any suggestions? Basil could be the way to go, though! Keith |
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Post by 4pygmies on May 3, 2007 7:50:29 GMT 1
Any book by Jekka MacVicar would be great - her website is good too. Once you start growing herbs you won't stop as they are such brilliant, easy and generally all round wonderful plants....so watch yourself! Have a look at the Suffolk Herbs catalogue and site too - they're great www.suffolkherbs.com and books by John Stevens are generally very helpful - he's a wonderful herb expert. There's another, a lady called Lesley Bremness who's DK pocket encyclopedia on Herbs is very thorough and interesting but it's quite old so I'm not sure if it's still in print. Just looked on Amazon and it is available along with lots of others about herbs but I can't get the link to work - typical! |
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Post by madonplants on May 3, 2007 13:34:23 GMT 1
Thanks 4P, you mean this one? Looks alright, will see what OH says tonight! Her cookery books are still boxed up, as no room in this kitchen (yet) or the last one, so not sure if she has any already. Hang on she is online, will ask! Keith |
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Post by 4pygmies on May 3, 2007 13:58:39 GMT 1
I have the older version but it's still one of the best books I've ever read on herbs - and I've read a LOT.... |
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Post by cheerypeabrain on May 4, 2007 20:41:31 GMT 1
I have recently planted up an alpine sink with just thyme plants..there's a golden thyme, silver thyme, creeping thyme and common thyme and there might be another one.... ;D  |
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Post by Sleepy on May 4, 2007 20:47:41 GMT 1
I have recently planted up an alpine sink with just thyme plants..there's a golden thyme, silver thyme, creeping thyme and common thyme and there might be another one.... ;D It's beautiful Cheery. |
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Post by cheerypeabrain on May 4, 2007 20:49:10 GMT 1
aw shucks ;D
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Post by The witch on May 5, 2007 22:01:15 GMT 1
Bootiful, CPB bootiful Are all thymes good for cooking or just common thyme? |
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Post by 4pygmies on May 6, 2007 6:55:25 GMT 1
All thymes would be good for cooking The witch - lemon Thyme is particularly nice!
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Post by cheerypeabrain on May 6, 2007 20:48:15 GMT 1
I love thyme..it's such a 'doer'...and as 4P says it's possible to trim the plants into little mounds, very satisfying that is...and addictive |
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Post by madonplants on May 8, 2007 11:35:17 GMT 1
We have been to a couple of G/C over the last three days and couldn't find a basil anywhere, why was that I wonder?! Ended up buying a packet of seeds of Basil Minette, which according to the packet says 'The perfect windowsill herb'. In the mean time, while it germinates and grows (not sown it yet!) OH bought some oregano, as she says she would use that as well. See I told you, she was getting into herbs!! Keith |
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Post by sweetleaf on May 8, 2007 11:50:59 GMT 1
I was in Homebase yesterday keith and they did have Basil but it wasnt very healthy, so I bought seed as well.
Suttons seeds Basil, only named "Red" Also bought garlic chives which sounds nice, already have ordinary chives at the lottie in a sink. Im going to start collecting different kinds of mint again, too.
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Yes there are LOADS of rosemary's and I don't think you can go wrong buying from Jekka. Just one word of advice though - I think her delivery charges could be fairly high so if you are going to go to any gardening shows, see if she's going to have a stand and arrange to collect whatever you want. You obviously have to order in advance though in case she doesn't have what you want in her show-stock.
