How to manage coriander

[d000hg]

After removing our mint infestation - the whole bed was just a web of mint roots - we've started over with thyme, oregano and coriander. All are doing well but the coriander is doing too well - it's now about 18" tall with quite thick shoots.

Does coriander bolt like spinach or is this just it thriving?

We don't use it anywhere fast enough so what's the way to keep it under control? Just chop it right back, or pull out stalks, or what?

[Trix]

Coriander does bolt - I'm on my third sowing this year (my first is now flowering nicely), though I'm far from an expert so it might be something I'm doing wrong! It might be a good idea to cut and freeze what you don't use immediately. Coriander leaf freezes really well and it's easy to grab a handful to throw in a curry or soup.

[d000hg]

Ah, so it's a plant you crop and then dig up rather than leave growing? Or can I cut all the bolting stems and keep it in check? It smells wonderful in the garden...

[Nicos]

I cut ours back when it's bolted and it grows back.
(Most of our leaves end up in the freezer)

remember to let one plant go to seed and then as it has died back collect the dried seed pods and then store and use them ground up in your cooking.
Leave a few aside to sow again in the Spring.

[d000hg]

Good tips, thanks. Is coriander seed a different flavour from the leaves?

I assume the bolted leaves are just fine to eat, other than looking a bit "frilly"? And even the stems if we wanted to put them in a stew rather than pretty on top?

[Trix]

Yes, the seed and leaf are different in flavour and different recipes will call for different parts of the plant. I've always chopped bunches up stems and all, though I would pick out bigger pieces.

[Nicos]

Flavour difference??
I find the seeds more nutty and the leaves a bit lemony ( compared to parsley)

Chopped up stems are good in stews...and I have heard you can also eat the roots, but I've never tried doing that.

(..be aware that if you freeze the leaves they don't keep their flavour for very long)

[d000hg]

The rate it's growing I'm not sure it needs any freezing, I'm sure it grew 6" this week!

Next year I'll look for a bolt-resistant version, this was just an impulse 0.99p purchase from B&Q.

[Trix]

The one I have is meant to be bolt resistant - perhaps it is better than other but I do have flowers now. Though I might have stressed it out a bit with haphazard watering

[Gemizzel]

one of mine has bolted so i'm going to sow some more seeds. What do you think is the smallest pot I can get away with without affecting the growth of the plant?

[Shadylane]

Even the bolt hardy ones bolt. I've found they prefer open ground to pots, so the bgger the better. If you don't have much space then sow thickly and often so you have a continuous supply. None of mine have germinated this year. I usually have it popping up all over the place. No idea what that's about.