i'm such a n00b, but i started some herbs in jiffy plugs today

[NMDemDist2]

sigh

last garden i tried died before it ever got going, i seem to be able to keep a basil alive for a while in the house, so here i go again

basil, chives and thyme

wish me luck

[Denninmi]

1. Ah, you'll do great.

Think positive. You'll have herbs to harvest before you know it.

[NMDemDist2]

2. i really do use herbs when i have em

last year my neighbor (who has a beautiful garden) gave me a basil plant and it stayed alive and usable for 14 months!!

i really love having fresh herbs to cook with

any suggestions on size of pots etc for those 3? i'm in 8A so it gets crazy hot in summer and snows in winter so i'll keep them indoors if i can

[Melissa G]

3. Luck!!!

You are inspiring me. I may have to put some in cups this weekend.

[NMDemDist2]

4. hubby got this cute lil thing from a rah rah day at work

it's just a little approx 4" tall green box with a tight fitting clear plastic top and tiny drain holes. it's where i got the jiffy plugs. i think i coulda got 4 plugs in there but it would be a tight squeeze, but three fit fine and with the top, it will keep it warm and moist in there

i'm actually kind of cautiously excited

[sunwyn]

5. Be careful about too much moisture as your plants grow. Mold and fungus can be a problem. Once your

herbs are established, Let the soil dry out slightly between watering. Good luck!

[NMDemDist2]

6. i was just going to use it to start the seeds

i'll put them in 'real' pots once they sprout..

[JDPriestly]

7. Sounds good.

One thing I have learned about using the jiffy plugs is that I need to loosen the covering especially from the bottom when I plant them in a pot or in the earth. Transplanting is the tricky part.

Someone told me to put vitamin B in the soil mix when I transplant things. You can buy a bottle of it and mix it with water. I don't know whether that is considered organic. I tend to use it on my ornamental plants but not so much on vegetables. Still, if you are uncertain about gardening, you might ask someone more knowledgeable than I about whether it is wise to put the vitamin B on vegetables when transplanting them.

[NMDemDist2]

8. yeah, i'm going to clip the netting before it goes into the pot

since i'm hoping to keep them indoors hopefully they'll be less likely to have bugs etc

[NMDemDist2]

9. OMG!!OMG!! two thyme sprouts already!!!

[behold a pale horse]

11. LOL! You and I sound like we're on the same wave length...

I can't wait to read your latest adventures.

[NMDemDist2]

13. my lil thyme sprouts gave me the guts

to invest in a 10 pot basil garden

so 10 more lil pots to check daily and cross fingers over

[Ruby Reason]

10. Getting Started can be tough, but keep at it.

You'll find herbs grow like weeds. The only thing I can grow successfully are herbs, cacti and hot peppers.

My husband built me an herb box after I had some measure of success in pots. If you go this direction give them plenty of space! Mine winter over well and are crowding each other out. My daughter likes to joke about the herbs taking over the world.

We have rosemary and taragon with "trunks" thicker than my thumb, lavendar that stands taller than me, oregano that grows about 6 inches tall, and Chamomile that keeps creeping into my thyme. I didn't realize what I was getting into. We even cut just to compost because there is so much, and I can't find a good outlet in the area to sell or even give them away. Most people say herbs? I just open my frozen meal and heat it up.

And always keep mint and cilantro in a pot or your yard and garden will grow nothing else. Cilantro is fun though since after the leaves start to be a bit bitter then you collect coriander (these seeds are what you must keep in check if you don't want it to spread). I recommend keeping your chives in a pot too. They spread just like daffodils, but much faster.

We also do annuals or bi-annuals like basil, parsley, and dill.

Still it is fun, relaxing, and I've learned so much. We dry it, make teas and sachets, and spice food and drinks. Wouldn't trade my "weed" garden for anything!

[NMDemDist2]

12. i'll be happy just to get a few pots going

[Ruby Reason]

14. Just remember that is where we all start!

Pots with seeds and bulbs expand all on their own and soon the herbs are taking over!