How Can I Start a Kitchen Herb Garden?

• 

  mskeggs on 08/03/2016 - 21:26

  +2

  Cut some 2L milk containers in half, fill with the richest soil you can find in the garden, sit on a sunny window sill. Plant desired herb seeds. Water every few days.
  8 weeks later you will have herbs.

• 

  the-mal on 08/03/2016 - 21:46

  +2

  The suggestion from mskeggs above is fantastic, but if you're not the DIY type or want something a little less recycled looking Kmart has a bunch of cheap ready-to-go herb kits to get you started for next to nothing.

  One trip to Kmart and you can pick up:
  - Seeds
  - Potting mix
  - Planter boxes / pots
  - Watering can

  You'll have change from $30 and you'll be set with all the basic herbs in a month or two. Took me a few hours (including the trip to the shops) to set up. I water a few times a week and in return I have parsley, chives, rosemary, mint, basil, thyme and lemongrass all ready to go.

  If you're super impatient you can pick up a 6 pack of herb seedlings at Masters for $9 which will save you growing from seeds (but it was half the fun for me).

  • 

    saddybedangdang on 09/03/2016 - 09:29

    I think I'm going to head to Kmart on Saturday and do exactly this, I might also use a few milk bottles for recycling too haha

• 

  pointless martyr on 08/03/2016 - 23:01

  +3

  If u r not in an apartment, just get a few planter boxes in a semi shaded area

  Just grab seedlings they will pay for themselves in a few weeks as you wont be buying a handfull of leaves for $3-$5 anymore.

  Soon enough youll have more 'erbs than you will need, especially for two people

  Spring onion is another good one.

  Ive never actually grown them myself but whenever i visit my mum she has heaps doing it this way, so i dont ever have to pay for 'erbs.

  just spices.

  • 

    mmd on 09/03/2016 - 02:19

    Does your mum have any tips on how to maintain spring onions

  • 

    Carydadon on 09/03/2016 - 07:40

    +1

    Can vouch for spring onions - super easy to grow. Buy a bunch at supermarket and make sure to keep the white bulb and roots (or a real ozb would get scraps from someone else). Ideally plant the bulb in soil, but I've even planted it in a glass with water and you'll see it grow. Snip the green bits as needed. You might want to try finely chopped spring onion and ginger, with oil and salt. Used as a condiment in Chinese cooking (especially roast meat shops), but I love it just with rice.

  • 

    saddybedangdang on 09/03/2016 - 09:29

    I like spring onion, I will definitely add that one to the list. thank you

• 

  Almost Banned on 08/03/2016 - 23:55

  +2

  Rosemary is nice, hardy and long lasting. Easy to propagate too using simple layering.

• 

  Slippery Fish on 09/03/2016 - 09:42

  +1

  http://www.theseedcollection.com.au/epages/shop.mobile/?Obje…

  Thats where I get my seeds, usualy about $1 a pack and good propergation rates.

  As said above, get spring onions and sit the ends in a glass with some water (try not to cover the white bit as they may disease) once they start to regrow, aprox 24-48 hours plant in soil. They taste better grown in soil.

  For parsley I like tripple curl, nice tight leaves with good flavor.

  Rosemary is hardy and will require less water then your other herbs.

  I recomend sage, thyme, chives, marjoram and oregano for starter. The main recomendation I can make is start small and build it up.

  To store extra seeds I put in an envolope with either milk powder or rice and store in fridge.

• 

  Flowerbomb on 09/03/2016 - 09:56

  Try the reject shop for seeds and gardening stuff. Very reasonably priced.

• 

  red-hot on 09/03/2016 - 14:35

  Herbs will grow BIG, so don't plant them in tiny pots. Don't use garden soil: it's too heavy. Use potting mix.

  Some super-easy herbs are:

  Mint- plant a seedling, or get a root cutting from someone's mint. Get a BIG black plastic pot, and put it near the tap, as it needs a lot of water. This will double in a month. (Do not plant in garden, as it is invasive). Keep picking the tips, to encourage new growth. Makes great mint sauce, and Mint tea (so good for you)
  http://www.greenmedinfo.com/blog/power-peppermint-15-health-…

  The Mediterranean herbs need DRYish soil & warmth. These herbs are: Basil & Oregano, Sage, Thyme, Rosemary, Chives. I have these in teracotta pots.

  Garlic- plant now, this takes 6-7 months. Get organic garlic bulbs, separate the cloves, plant pointy-side up, space them a hand-width apart, a thumb deep, water, and leave alone. I planted mine in a big pot- so I wouldn't forget where I planted them.

  • 

    saddybedangdang on 09/03/2016 - 16:04

    For basic herbs like basil and oregano, I should plant them in terracotta pots (10cm)? Does that sound sufficient?

    Would it be suitable to plant some of the larger herbs in the garden like Rosemary and would they still use garden soil to start off with?

    Thanks

    • 

      red-hot on 09/03/2016 - 18:56

      Yes, you can plant Rosemary in the garden. It's a dry, heat-loving herb, so needs a full sun spot.
      Basil can also go in the garden. Makes great Pesto.

      • 

        saddybedangdang on 09/03/2016 - 19:36

        Thanks for the help, any other herbs you recommend I don't put in a pot? I was hoping to group 6-7 herbs together in small terracotta pots like parsley, mint, oregano etc

      • 

        red-hot on 09/03/2016 - 21:17

        @saddybedangdang:
        You can put them in pots if you want to, but make sure there's enough room to grow.
        I think they'll grow bigger/stronger in the garden, given that the roots can get more nutrients from the soil, and can reach moisture whenever they need it.
        Mint is a must in a pot.
        Remember, the Mediterranean herbs have different needs for sun/water than mint, so check out their individual needs.

• 

  D6C1 on 15/03/2016 - 10:44

  IM sent. Maybe I can help you out with some cuttings to get you started.