Hey, I'll being with a picture as to how far along my herbs are... From left to right: Sage, Thyme, Dill, Basil and Rosemary I believe that I am now getting to a stage where I need to thin the herbs down (particularly the Dill). I was wondering what does thinning down actually mean doing? Should I simply seperate the Dill in half, or quarters and plant into separate pots (breaking the soil up and creating more space between the plants) etc? Also, is the Thyme also at a point that it needs thinning? N.B. I have only bought the Rosemary today so hoping it will be a speedy grower! Thanks for your replies and help! Sam
The dill might grow OK in little clumps, but I think all the others will want their own pot for each plant. The dill would probably prefer their own space as well. I would try transplanting a few of each to a new pot. When they are adjusted from the transplant and seem to be thriving, I would remove all but one plant for each pot. (I suggest a few in each pot because they may not all survive the transplant.) Are these going in the ground outside or will you grow them in planters?
Hi Eric, I am hoping to plant them outside in a flower bed eventually, but before this I think I will get them into bigger pots until they are big and hardy enough to be outside permanently. Ah OK so if I maybe thin them down to perhaps a dozen or so in each pot so that I have a few encase some don't survive the move, then slowly dwindle it down until there is just a single plant perhaps? Do you think they are all ready to be thinned (apart from the Rosemary which I only sowed a few hours ago).
In Britain we call it "pricking out seedlings". You may find this instructive link a big help. Just do as many as you think you need. Don't feel that you have to use every one! Be gentle. http://www.gardenersworld.com/how-to/projects/seedlings-pricking-out/
Ahh excellent that has been of great help to me! Now know not to pick the seeds out by the stems but by the leaves! I shall have great fun pricking out the Dill seedlings tomorrow, and shall leave the Basil and other seedlings another few weeks before I think them out.
Hey, So I have been pricking out my shoots today and putting them into a propagator. Looks pretty good and pretty pleased with the results! Thought that I would upload the photos so you can see their progress :D From left to right: 1) The full tray 2) Sweet Basil 3) Thyme 4) Dill 5) Sage Cheers for the advice - any more tips are very appreciated (these are the first things I have grown before). Regards, Sam
Excellent!. The important thing now is to keep the warm and put them in as much light as pos. If light is too dull they will grow tall and spindly. ie leggy. You may also have to turn them daily,or they will lean towards the light. Keep them moist, but what ever you do, do not overwater them or you will kill them. It is called damping off. http://apps.rhs.org.uk/advicesearch/profile.aspx?pid=151 Now go to a garden centre and try chilli., cut and come again lettuce etc. Have you access to a garden, if so you could try all sorts of veg from seed. spring onions, radish, lettuce, tomato, courgettes etc etc. http://www.channel4.com/food/on-tv/jamie-oliver/jamie-at-home/matt-james-cut-and-come-again_p_1.html Start watching Gardeners world, BBC2 tonight at 8.30pm. also Radio 4 Gardeners Question Time. Sunday at 2.00pm!!!!!
Well I now have a nice little collection of the five herbs, Lavender and some apple seeds! I may try thinning some of the herbs that are still in the pots, putting them into a few pots so that they have some more space to grow along with those that I have propagated today. What do you think? Perhaps but the Dill and and Thyme at least into another pot each - so break it in half? In the propogating tray, should I be watering it with Water and Plant Food to really help them flourish after the shock of being pulled about abit?
