how to grow herbs

Yes.

 

I don't have any problem growing basil from seed, but I never prick out seedlings individually - it doesn't work. Mine are moved on into bigger pots as small clumps once they're a couple of inches or so.
It's sown indoors, grown on indoors, and plants only go outside in summer, and usually under cover at night. I keep doing successive sowings, and cut and freeze some for using in sauces through colder weather.
I've always struggled to keep rosemary going over winter here, as it's not ideal, so it has to be under cover in the gr'house, and sage is the same.
Mint is easy, but I don't really like it, so I don't grow it now, but it's better kept by itself in a pot to prevent it taking over.

 

Well, none of my herbs have died overnight (potted them up yesterday) and they are looking good. I have several old wooden beams on which to display the pots, like shelves. All I need now is some sunshine. I'm not sure how many will survive over winter but they are in a sheltered spot.
I forgot to mention that I have a clump of chives growing behind my back gate, in quite stony ground. The bees love the flowers. I don't use the chives for culinary purposes though, as I know for a fact the occasional pooch cocks its leg at the plant as they go by!

 

Has anyone suggested Dill yet? It was my favourite thing on the patio last year, the flowers are like a little green firework display. I didn't grow from seed, I bought it as a growing herb from the supermarket and potted it up. It produced lots of seed though so I shall try sowing those.

 

Stunning photo, @Escarpment.
The pungent aroma of Dill has always made me feel ill since childhood(long story), but your photo has inspired me to give it a try, for the flowers alone. I won't get too close and sniff it!
Oh and OH has reminded me of the children's programme ages ago called The Herbs if anyone remembers it? Dill the dog always had a dill flower in its hair.

 

Another good reason for having pots, but it's for the cats here, and no, we don't have one. Perhaps that's the problem?

 

That's a program I haven't thought about in a long time! I remember Parsley the lion as well.

 

I used to love watching The Herbs, although in theory I was probably too old for the demographic.
I have just been refreshing my memory with the aid of a search engine. I didn't know it was written by Michael Bond, the creator of Paddington.

 

I love growing herbs too.
Big fan of the lemon-thymes and lemony basils as they make great seasoning/stuffing for roast meat or veg or with pasta sauces. I also like the different varieties of mint but they need a pot or container to avoid a very minty garden as they take over!

The Mediterranean herbs like Rosemary and Thyme like very well-drained soil in a sunny position. Basil and parsley are best to harvest regularly to avoid them going to flower.

 

My OH remembers watching the programme and likes your picture of the characters, @AnniD.

 

I loved The Herbs! I was just the right age for it (born in 1966). We didn't have a TV until I was about 4 or so, but I remember watching at my granny's house.

 

Dill the Dog had his own theme tune, "I'm Dill the Dog, I'm a dog called Dill..."

I found a yellow-stickered dill in the supermarket this week. 38p. I've just taken advantage of a break in the rain to go out and pot it up.

 

Spotted some Rosemary beetles this morning, several adults sunning themselves on their namesake.

Their colours are so beautiful, quite happy to share as we have far more Rosemary than we need

 

For now. They spread really quickly and have a voracious appetite. If you find you want to stop them, you'll need to become a vigilant squisher. Lily beetles are pretty too.

 

I grow basil from seed, and then plant it out in my polytunnel. They do need protection from cold winds, and plenty of sun. If your patio is sheltered and sunny it could be fine - outside of my experience! If you don’t have any luck with basil seed, buy a pot of basil (supermarket will do). If the pot is smallish (10cm or so) divide the plant into 3 or 4 smaller plants, and pot them into good compost. They will have been grown under cover, so fetch them in at night for a few days unless the nights are very mild and windless, in which case you should get away with putting them straight outside.
Edited to say, they won’t stand any frost, so it’s not just the first few nights that need to be mild. But they are especially sensitive to cool wind and rain at first.