How do I grow supermarket herbs?
How do I grow supermarket herbs?
Ever wondered how to grow supermarket herbs successfully? Most people would admit to having been seduced by supermarket herbs. Little pots of hope, tempting us with their promises of culinary wizardry.
Wouldn’t it be nice to bask in the joy of plucking my own leaves and tossing them in a salad or topping a pizza?
You imagine how impressed your friends will be, gazing in muted jealously at the perfect line of triffids on your window sill.
All is going splendidly until little by little your dream fades along with the bright green leaves and luscious growth. You say, well I tried and chalk it up to experience.
A month or two passes and as you browse the packet herbs your eye catches the impressive display of living herbs and the cycle repeats.
This time things will be different!
So, how do I grow supermarket herbs?
Sainsbury's is my local supermarket, it's not a recommendation.
What do herbs need?
Herbs, like most plants, need:
Light
Water
Warmth
Air
Nutrients
So what is missing from your supermarket herb that stops it growing?
All of them except maybe warmth!
Supermarket herbs are often over sown. This means far too many seeds have been put in too small a pot, the pot quickly becomes overcrowded and all the plants suffer.
There is nothing wrong with this, as the supermarket are selling you a ready to use product and never intended it to live for long.
There can be only one
In order to raise successful herblings you will need to give them more space.
For those with miles of window sills this would mean splitting the supermarket herbs into smaller clumps and potting them into their own pots.
For those with limited space, you will need to sacrifice some of the herb plants to the culinary deity, and pot the remainder. Either way, you will need some compost and perhaps a pot or two.
Multi purpose compost and pots the same size or a little bigger will be fine for this operation.
If you like to mix your herbs in troughs on the window sill that’s fine too, however I think pots are best as plants can differ in how they like to be kept.
THE GREATER GOOD
Whether you are potting all the clumps up or have sacrificed some for the greater good, (THE GREATER GOOD) the method is the same.
Remove the Pot
De-pot the plant by gently squeezing the sides until the root ball loosens, try not to pull it out by the shoots.
Divide the root ball
Gently prize the roots apart and split the root ball in two.
Divide again
Divide again if necessary, or discard the pieces you aren’t using. Pick out any weak or broken plants at this stage.
Potting up
Add a layer of compost to the pot, ready for your divided plants.
Positioning
Place the plant in the centre of the pot and gently hold it upright.
Fill with compost
Add compost all around the plant and firm in with your fingers. Give the pot a tap to help it settle.
Trimming / pruning
Trim the plants back to a nice set of buds, this is important as you have damaged the roots and trimming the plant will reduce the strain.
Watering
Move the potted plants to the place of honour and give them some water, you may need to do this in two goes.
Always keep herbs moist but not wet, never let them dry out completely, remember to feed them with soluble plant food every 2 weeks for best results.
When cropping herbs all ways pinch / cut back to a leaf node.
Most herbs like a sunny spot, but remember windows can concentrate sunlight and may burn / scorch leaves.