How easy is it to grow (in a garden border, or tub) coriander and basil. I have never been successful at this

Question

How easy is it to grow (in a garden border, or tub) coriander and basil. I have never been successful at this

Answer 1

The thing about coriander <also known as cilantro> is that it doesn't have a long life.  To be successful, I have found that sowing a few seeds about every 2 weeks will ensure that you have plentiful amount throughout the summer.

Basil really needs to be pinched back, to encourage growth and a bush habit.  I find myself garnishing dinner plates and serving platters with lots of it, just to use it up!

I have grown both coriander and basil in pots and in my garden...have never used any special watering techniques.  I just water them as you would any garden annual  <daily in a pot, as  needed in the garden---a couple of times a week, after it is established.>

Answer 2

easy - just keep them watered and in sunlight.

Answer 3

Basil is one of the easiest herbs to plant by seed.  For someone who is new at gardening I would recommend using Miracle Grow potting soil or regular potting soil and using the liquid version of Miracle Grow to feed them.  You can use plastic containers to start them off, but be sure not to use too many seeds per container...a few is all you need.  Keep them watered and in a sunny location until they reach about an inch in height.  Then they can be planted in a garden, pots or in a landscape.

Good Luck!

Answer 4

I love growing my own herbs, fruit and veg but they all need so many different things-soil type-amount of water-amount of sun/shade! I get confused easily but found a great book online which helped-everything step-by-step-hope this helps :)

http://www.easygardeningforbeginners.com

Answer 5

try planting them in containers and place them in the sun best if there outside,water daily,they tend to dry out faster in containers,they do like full sun for at least 6 hrs a day.good luck

Answer 6

I know how you feel with Coriander. I always manage to murder it! but I have an enormous basil plant on my kitchen window sill, which just keeps going and it is because of a tip I was given to water it from the bottom every day, so the roots take up the water, and to pick out the new shoots at the top. good luck.

Answer 7

With basil make sure you water from the bottom. Sit the pot in a dish of water and let the compost soak it up. Don't water from above or get the leaves wet.

I find coriander is best grown outside. I usually put it in raised bed along with some rocket and red mustard and rarely have any problems with it. The trick is not to disturb it or transplant it as it doesn't like being moved. It also needs to be in a sunny position and don;t sow until the soil is warm enough, around May, though you can sow earlier indoors.

Answer 8

With basil you water it at midday...unlike most other plants! Also try to acoild getting the leaves wet....but it should be good! mY coriander is thriving....I didnt do basil this year but if you stick to watering it at midday it should be fine.