herbs in conservatory

[greenwitch]

Hi everyone,

Just thinking about what to put in the conservatory when my toms are done. I would love to grow herbs in there. Anyone have any ideas what sorts of herbs would grow well in there. When the weather changes it will be cold on an evening in the conservatory and sunny during the day. Any advise would be greatly recieved. Also can anyone help with the right time of year to start new herbs off and such.

Thank you

Greenwitch
xxxx

[Two_Sheds]

Really, the winter is too dark and cold to grow anything. You can keep things alive (cuttings of fuchsia, geranium etc), but it's too late in the year to be sowing things

[rustylady]

You could bring mint, parsley etc in in pots to use over winter.

[bazzaboy]

GW, although Two_Sheds' general warning is both wise and apt it's also worth experimenting to see what micro-climates exist within any space you have available... Your conservatory sounds well lit in winter and providing it doesn't freeze you could find several established herbs survive and even grow a bit - mints and parsleys as suggested by RL, also rosemary, thymes, horseradish dies back but is usable, chives, oregano etc keep going much longer, spring onions go into a dormant stage but remain usable. It's also worth remembering that many chilies are perennials and will retain fruit for months. The trick with all these, as with winter veg, is to get them established before temperatures and light levels fall. In a conservatory I think it's as well to mix in a few pots of ornamentals which will survive the hardships - second nature to some Alpines - and you might even persuade some ornamentals to stay in flower! And don't forget the various winter salad mixes which you can nurture from seed from now on (corn salad, mizuna etc). If they all fail - or even if they don't - an additional alternative is sprouting seeds indoors (mustard, cress, alfalfa, fenugreek, radish etc!) By then it will be January and you'll be back to nurturing tomatoes....!
b.

[greenwitch]

Thank you for your help and guidance, i shall have a go with various things and let you know how i get on.

Greenwitch
xx