Kitchen Herb Gardening for Dummies

[Denise Nicole]

I received several herbs from my CSA and have no idea what to do with them! They are in their little plastic (temporary) pots. And are needing watering almost daily. I am famous for killing plants (and eating them too, lol).

Can I repot them in one large container, or should I repot them in smaller containers?

How do I cut them for use so I don't kill the plant?

One should note, outdoor gardening is not an option for me, I am on a heavily wooded lot, and my development does not allow one. And also they would be severly neglected if outdoors.

Since I am on a heavily wooded lot, no natural direct sunlight comes through any windows (only the sunlights (periodically) located in the living room, bedroom, and stairwell).

So....are they doomed to death?

All my fresh herbs were always bought pre-cut not the whole plant, lol, so I am at a total loss.

[Denise Nicole]

As for pot size, how many inches across is what they are in? Likely they will need to be repotted sooner or later. What herbs did you get?
Teri S

The pots are really small, I'll measure when I get home.
So far:
2 -Italian Parsley
1-Tyme
1-Garlic Chives
1-Cylantro
1-Dill
1-Golden cherry tomato (I know this one isn't a herb, lol)

[luvraw]

how exciting!
this is the next thing i want to do, start my own herb garden! how wonderful to be able to pluck your own basil when you want it!

and your house, it must smell divine!

do you think if i started my herb garden now that when i go on vacation for 8 days at the end of june they will be okay while i'm away or that they will die?

If they have a chance of dying then i'll just wait until i return but i really want to start now!!!!

[rawpriestess]

herbs do like alot of sun, but will grow on a window sill if necessary.


make sure to NOT water too much, and to snip off just a few leaves at a time, so you don't harm the plant.

herbs are such lovely friends to have.

[exurb]

The one herb on that list that has the most chance of continuing to grow as a plant is the thyme, and sort of to a slightly lesser extent the parsley and chives. Thyme is more of a "cut and come again" kind of herb plant, when you cut it, it will branch into more branches, and continue to grow. As much light as you can get on them under your circumstances. In general they would be happyest with the most room for their roots, so probably one big container for all three of those is best.

The cilantro and dill, when they are at a stage that you want to eat them at, just chop them an eat them, and when you've spent the plant, just toss it out. They really are seeded to be used once at their optimum stage, not the sort that would become a "houseplant" type of herb. Once you cut them, that's about it, so don't drive yourself nuts trying to keep them as plants.