Basil, coriander, parsley through winter

[eastkentspur]

is it possible to successfully sow these from seed indoors throughout the winter?

[maytreefrannie]

I'd say, parsley yes, basil and coriander, very unlikely.

Only speaking from stuff I've tried, it may be different for you. Also, it could be worth trying, it's only a few seeds.

I'm sure there'll soon be more knowledgeable grapes along soon.

[Two_Sheds]

I find that nothing wants to germinate in the shortening days. Winter herbs are best sown in late summer, then overwintered indoors.

But by all means, have a go

[Paulottie]

Parley and coriander are pretty winter hardy.... but don't grow much. best to bring established plants into a greenhouse.

Basil is very tender.

You could in theory grow any of them in pots in the kitchen but you'd really need a fishtank light to stop them getting too lanky.

I start sowing Parsley in Jan for next year's crop anyway

[valmarg]

All right, all right. I'll get back into pedants corner, but shouldn't the moderators have moved you into the herb bed.

They are usually so quick.

valmarg

[FionaH]

All right, all right. I'll get back into pedants corner, but shouldn't the moderators have moved you into the herb bed.

They are usually so quick.

valmarg

Pedant indeed. Nasty little thing like work gets in the way you know

[valmarg]

Pedant indeed. Nasty little thing like work gets in the way you know

Remind me about it. Something like the 9-5 grind.

valmarg

[valmarg]

Could I apologise to you all, I was being a bit daft when I posted my pedantic remark. No offence was intended, just a bit of a joke - having drink taken.

Having been a bit daft, could I make some constructive comments.

Basil is an annual so will not survive the Winter. It needs to be sown in Spring, ready for your tomato crop. I have never sown it in Autumn, simply because, if you havn't got home grown tomatoes, you've nothing to use it on.

Hardy herbs are thyme, sage, marjoram, ?oregano and fennel.

Parsley is, I understand, a biennial, so if you've had a good crop this year, you should get a good crop next year, BUT sow seed so that you have a succession, ie so that when your plants have died next year you have plants to replace them. I'm up to my oxters in parsley this year, but will fill freezer with chopped version.

valmarg

[crchotcreek]

hardy basil

Several years ago I got a basil start from a neighbor. We live at about 5500 ft. elevation in Central Nevada, USA where it gets down below 0 degrees F. This basil comes back every year. I have tried to identify what type it is with no luck. It is very pungent, with smallish leaves and has a purple blossom. Anyone have an idea what type of basil this may be? Maybe we have developed our own new extra hardy strain!!

[kfan]

Possibly it is African Blue Basil (I ordered a plant of this recently at Poyntzfield Herbs) which is a perennial, hardy basil that has blue/ purple flower spikes.

[Poolcue]

You can start basil now on the windowsill and it should come up.

[Chef_uk]

You can start basil now on the windowsill and it should come up.

Does that count for Basil plants that's to eventually grow outside aswell or will they not transplant easily if they are fully grown by May?

[Poolcue]

Does that count for Basil plants that's to eventually grow outside aswell or will they not transplant easily if they are fully grown by May?

Yes they can be hardened off later in the year

[VirginVegGrower]

I've just sown basil, thyme, oregano and parsley. All pots on my windowsills.

[robfosters]

Sorry to intrude, but I wanted to grow these through the winter too.

However, I have a growbox for chillies with heatmats and T5 lighting. Would they manage OK in that over winter?