what herbs

[jennybain]

I am planting up some containers for a West facing courtyard patio. At the moment I have rosemary and Bay which grows well - any suggestions for other culinary herbs that can tolerate partial shade and evening sun?

[Alice]

Hello Jennybain, and welcome to the Vine. You could certainly grow some parsley, mint and coriander there. It might be easier to get them germinated first before putting them out there. Another herb I am growing for the first time this year is Parcel. I think it is a celery flavoured parsley, so if you like that flavour, you could give it a go. Do let us know how you get on, and what else you are growing.
Nothing to do with anything - but I know just where you are there. Its where my mother in law went on her first date with my father in law 60 years ago.

[Earthbabe]

Quite a lot will tolerate partial shade. If rosemary and bay are growing well you will probably be ok with sage, lavender, lovage, chives, fennel, marjoram and oregano, thyme. Take your pick really.

Welcome to the vine. It's a bit mad in here this evening.

[jennybain]

Hi - thanks for that - am I right in thinking sage hates any acidic soils? I would love to grow chives, but have never had any success. I sow from seed on the windowsill and they germinate but remain thin, spindly and eventually die off. Any tips?

[jennybain]

Hello Jennybain, and welcome to the Vine. You could certainly grow some parsley, mint and coriander there. It might be easier to get them germinated first before putting them out there. Another herb I am growing for the first time this year is Parcel. I think it is a celery flavoured parsley, so if you like that flavour, you could give it a go. Do let us know how you get on, and what else you are growing.
Nothing to do with anything - but I know just where you are there. Its where my mother in law went on her first date with my father in law 60 years ago.

Hi - will coriander really grow outside in Scotland? I have grown it on a windowsill (once) and it didn't amount to much at all I'm afraid.

[Earthbabe]

I don't know about sage and acid soils. I've never had an issue so never had to find out.

Re chives. You may find it easier to start with a pot or a clump from someone else to get going. I've never had much luck with chive seed but have a number of healthy clumps which I periodically divide up to give more clumps.

[jennybain]

I have tried buying chive plants as well - they do a bit better but die off after a month or two. Should I only use them sparingly I wonder?

[Earthbabe]

Hmmm will have to have a think.

[jennybain]

when I say I have bought chive plants, I mean supermarket herbs.....maybe this was the problem. I will need to see if I know anyone with chives in their garden.

[Earthbabe]

Or buy from a reputable nursery or garden supplier.

[jennybain]

yes, I will do. Can't wait to get this herb garden going! A lot of it will be trial and error, but I am sticking religiously to Jekka McVicars Herb book, so hopefully won't go too far wrong!

[Alice]

Hello Jennybain, yes, coriander will do fine outside . It shouldn't be a problem. It's not winter hardy but will be fine in the frost free months. As for chives, I have had them outside for years and they are fully hardy. If you can get a clump started, a pot from the supermarket will do, harden it off, plant it outside, and it should be fine. Mine flowers every year and seeds all over the gravel path.

[Alice]

Read your last post Jennybain. If you don't have any success getting the chives started you can have a million seeds from mine when we get to that time of year.

[jennybain]

Hi Alice - I have some coriander seed left over from my previous attempt so will give it a go. In my previous attempt, once the seeds germinated, the growth was long and leggy and it went to seed before many leaves formed. I have read that they don't like being re-potted because of a tap root which can't be disturbed or they will bolt (??). Is this right?

(sorry - I am having to learn the basics here!)

[jennybain]

Read your last post Jennybain. If you don't have any success getting the chives started you can have a million seeds from mine when we get to that time of year.

great - any seeds/cuttings that folks might have spare would be greatly appreciated.