Herbs and growing them indoors.

Do they have to be indoors? I think many are happier in bigger pots outside (my chives are a weed for instance) but it is definitely worth a go. I grew basil on the windowsill but I think you would have to sow it successionally really or grow a load and freeze it or something as it does go to seed eventually.

Hi Riala,

I grow quite a few herbs and much further north than you are. Flat parsley, coriander, chives, garlic chives, two types of mint, basil, thyme, sage and tarragon - all in pots. Only a small glitch this year with the first sewing of coriander and the basil taking off slowly, both I believe down to the general temperature being cooler.

To preserve, you have various options such as freezing in ice cubes trays or drying depending on the type of plant. 

HTH

Lorna.

My advice to you would be to buy a growing pot from the supermarket of the herbs you would like, as i've never succeeded with seed at this time of year  repot the bought ones in slightly bigger pots. Parsley and thyme can go outside, but bring parsley in again when it starts to get cold. Basil should stay on the window ledge, too late for outside now, i think.
With a little feed now and again and careful snipping/thinning when you want to use them they will keep growing for ages. The trick is never to cut too much off at a time,only to a lower leaf where buds will regrow..... unless you are removing a complete stem of parsley, or basil, to thin the pot out.

Then in the spring you can start your own from seed

Bring it in, and onto a windowledge before it gets chilly at night (not too far away now) as it is not hardy even then unless it is very sunny and warm it tends to just die off.
You can just freeze the stem and leaves of basil, and then when you need them, if you are quick you can just crumble what you want into your cooking and then put the rest back into the freezer

I grow indoors lemon basil (lovely), lime basil (don't bother tastes same as lemon but not quite as good) plain old basil and distintive flavoured basil siam queen (tastes like liquorice or aniseed) grows well hasn't died on me yet or gone to seed.

Also grow Dill lovely taste, and Chervil.  Chervil I have to redo about every three months, as starts looking poorly.  Dill I redo as I use so much of it, I need to replenish the plant.  They are only in small 5" pots.

I use the feathery leaves of the dill rather than the seeds.

Grown outside Dill and Chervil go to seed quicker.  Dill you can use the seeds that form, when plant goes to seed, when they are light brown, in stews onions etc.  Basil leaves seem to go a bit thicker. outside.

Inside pots do attract little black flies, I use sticky yellow paper works quite well.

I've just replanted some Chervil and Dill 7 days ago in pots in very warm conservatory, the dill is up an inch with seed leaves, the chervil is still shy.  Basil usually doesn't take long either. 

Probably 5 weeks and ready to eat but don't cut too much off let them establish and reestablish.

I grow these indoors all year round.