[WG.]

I grow rocket but don't consider it a herb.  More of a salad green IMHO

[little sweetpeas]

Yes me too, never thought of it as a herb.  I've got loads of the stuff great to use to make pesto

[ytyynycefn]

what do you do with the borage?

Swear at it when it self-seeds  

I use the flowers in Pimms and salads.  Apparently the leaves are nice in salads, but I'm not a great fan of raw leaves.  I mainly grow it to attract bees and to look nice.  Medicinally, it's quite good for nervous exhaustion and depression and as a fever remedy - it contains sicilic acid.  It's diuretic, ani-inflammatory and antiseptic, according to my herbal medicine book, and useful during the menopause.

[Jim T]

I grow rocket but don't consider it a herb.  More of a salad green IMHO

OK WG but the first packet of seed I bought was called "Herb Rocket".
I am now growing some "Wild Rocket" .jim

[Jim T]

what do you do with the borage?

Swear at it when it self-seeds  

I use the flowers in Pimms and salads.  Apparently the leaves are nice in salads, but I'm not a great fan of raw leaves.  I mainly grow it to attract bees and to look nice.  Medicinally, it's quite good for nervous exhaustion and depression and as a fever remedy - it contains sicilic acid.  It's diuretic, ani-inflammatory and antiseptic, according to my herbal medicine book, and useful during the menopause.

  Must be good for indigestion and pimples ......  

[David.]

Fenugreek

I've not found any cultivation instructions for fenugreek (wholefood shop seeds - 100% germination) and was intending to grow as corriander - is that correct?

[splodger]

i grow flet leaf and curly parsley
thyme
sage
chives
garlic
rocket
bay
basil
corriander
curry plant
camomile
horseradish
mint (4 types)
tarrogan
oregano
pennyroyal
chervil

i grow most at home - not on the plot and they are in herb borders and flower beds - in fact everywhere you turn - yum yum

[little sweetpeas]

splodger, do all the herbs you grow like the same soil.

I want to increase my heb collection and will be doing this at home rather than the plot but my soil is very heavy. I'm having some rotted manure delivered to the plot on Thursday and was going to bring some home. Is this going to be too rich?

[newbiegrower]

this year i am growing

chives
coriander
mint
dill
parsley
these I bought as plug plants of ebay and I am also growing rosemary from seed.
the top 5 are outside on a 13th floor balconey
later on this year or next year I will grow more as we now have an allotment.

[splodger]

hi little sweetpeas - my herbs are all over the place - but my main herb bed is very poor soil and it gets no special treatment.

many herbs prefer a sunny spot and well drained soil especially thyme, sage, dill, taragon, caraway, (rosemary poor soil)  (chervil likes a bit of shade)

garlic, fennel, parsley, coriander, cumin, chives, oregano, horseradish etc like a rich but light soil generally - chives like it moist.

i think the manure will be too strong for your herbs - but your roses would love it.

[steampig]

I have an array of Thyme, Oregano, Rosemary, Bergamot, chocolate mint (yum), Lemon Balm and Lovage. I have just bought Lemon Verbena this week.

I love Coriander and Basil, but found that my coriander bolted when it was still small and my basil never grew very well.

I have never tried Chervil, Sorrel or Savoury. Any advice on growing these (or any other herbs)  or using them?

 :shock: Shocked nobody mentioned ROCKET. Germinates in a few days, grows like a rocket and tastes delicious - flowers and all.

I must be doing something wrong, grew it last year did ok but nothing spectacular, this year tried again, very poor germination and very poor growth since. Where am I going wrong

[little sweetpeas]

I have grown rocket for the first time with amazing results.

I sprinkled the seed in two troughs at home with a little compost on top I then placed glass over the top until the rocket had germinated. I also have an eight foot row on the plot but again I covered this with a cloche for the first few weeks. The soil at the plot is quite heavy so i fill the drill with compaost to give the seeds a chance.

I'm really pleased with both results

[WG.]

Fenugreek

I've not found any cultivation instructions for fenugreek (wholefood shop seeds - 100% germination) and was intending to grow as corriander - is that correct?

I sow it broadcast, fairly thickly & cut for salads when 3"-4" high.

If you like Chicken Methi, you'll love it with fresh fenugreek.

[David.]

I mainly wanted it for seeds to sprout. Hope I've sown it early enough.

[WG.]

I mainly wanted it for seeds to sprout. Hope I've sown it early enough.

Simpler to sprout the ones from the wholefood or Asian shops; they are cheap enough.

120 - 150 days if you want to grow your own seed according to http://www.indianspices.com/html/ind_sp_farm_12.html