Growing Coriander and chives

[Ringo Grumio Nibbler]

Right, now that I have set my chilli's away to germinate, I am looking towards planting my lemon and standard coriander and my standard chives and garlic chives.

I have packets of seeds for each and the guide on the packet is for planting outdoors in March. Can I just put them in pots now and if so to what depth and will I need to propigate first?

[Alison]

I sow most of my herbs in about March in pots on the window ledge. You can sow earlier but not sure how well you'll do with them as they don't tend to sprint away until it warms up a bit. By the way, I don't find that direct sowing works that well for chives even in warmer weather although corriander can be fine.

With corriander I simply push the seeds about 1/4" below soil level and put the pots in an unheated propogator (heated might help at this time of year if you want to try) and with chives I sprinkle a thin layer of compost on top of the seeds and then propogate as for the corriander. Both are usually quite easy if you sow a clump of seeds in about a 3" pot.

[Two_Sheds]

I've found that coriander hates being moved, so sow it where it will stay: otherwise it's liable to bolt

[FionaH]

I've found that coriander hates being moved, so sow it where it will stay: otherwise it's liable to bolt

Quite right, I ignored this wise advice last year, and it all bolted

[Alison]

I've found that coriander hates being moved, so sow it where it will stay: otherwise it's liable to bolt

And if you're going to transplant it then sow it in pots and transplant as a block rather than individually, usually OK then and a lot quicker anyway

[Amberlilly]

I planted some corriander seeds on the allotment earlier in the year and its still going strong, does it usually survive winter, i keep picking and it just keeps going!

[Alison]

I planted some corriander seeds on the allotment earlier in the year and its still going strong, does it usually survive winter, i keep picking and it just keeps going!

No, mine has always bolted by late summer and died off but I always thought it was a tender annual. I then replant next year.

[zazen999]

I planted some corriander seeds on the allotment earlier in the year and its still going strong, does it usually survive winter, i keep picking and it just keeps going!

I've never known coriander to keep going through frosts; are you sure it IS coriander?

[alibobsy]

My chives were originally grown ina pot then transplanted into the ground. They have been hardy ever since. they do die back a bit during the winter, but always come back in the spring. They also spread very easily and I have to keep the clump under control to stop it getting too big.
I also have had the same coriander bolting problems so resow each year.

ali x

[jimfin]

I,ve sowed my coriander seeds in 3"x2" pods in a heated propagator. How many seed should I sow in each of these pods?

[stupot]

Do garlic chives come back every year?

[OllieMartin]

I've never known coriander to keep going through frosts; are you sure it IS coriander?

Sounds like flat-leafed (leaved?) parsely to me. I planted my coriander in the shade last year and it bolted within a month. The parsley, on the other hand, is still alive although a little floppy.

[Two_Sheds]

I,ve sowed my coriander seeds in 3"x2" pods in a heated propagator. How many seed should I sow in each of these pods?

Pots?
Coriander actually hates being transplanted: it tends to bolt. It's better to sow direct, but you'll have to wait till it warms up a tad

Do garlic chives come back every year?

yes they do

[coreopsis]

I hate green coriander but love the ground one.I could bet if I planted coriander it wouldn't bolt

[Lovage]

I hate green coriander but love the ground one.I could bet if I planted coriander it wouldn't bolt

There are different strains of seed for leaf production and seed production.
I once made the mistake of sowing seed sold as spice only for it to bolt very early
I am told that the root has the most flavour and can be washed, chopped and used in curries