A Gardeners Forum Forums General Discussion The Food Garden Forum Herbs just a question or two

I just planted Lavendar today and chamomile and peppermint. I have them in small pots that are about the size of mugs :crazy: in the kitchen window right now. I am just wondering if it's possible to keep them in those pots or if they will get to big for the pots. I have no experience with herbs at all and the seed packets did not say. So I rely on my wonderful comrads here!!! Yeah for The Forum!

They probably will get too large.. maybe get a pot 4 inches wide by 4 inches deep.. one for each pot.. it all depends on how many seeds come up, and live..

I was, should I not?

The lavender will get too big for small pots, just re-pot when it seems to get too big.

Should it go outside in the ground instead? My kitchen window is on the West side of the house and it gets lots of sun from noon to dark. I can't put very big pots there b/c the sill is too short. But a 4 inch is reasonable.

I know the mint and the lavender would be much happier outside than in, and they will come back for you every year. The mint will spread a lot, so put it in a contained area. I don't know about the chamomile as I don't grow it........

If you want to enjoy watching these herbs grow, how about getting a window planter to hang off your kitchen window?

Like hanging on outside of the window?? Did not think of that. Sounds pretty. And my plants do better with a little assistance from Mother Nature. I would like that. Good one, MLN.

Mint will take over a window planter crowding out other plants. Sink a large container with most of the bottom removed into your garden. Leave the rim of the container exposed and plant the mint in this to keep it contained. Replace soil every third year and replant some of the mint.

Be aware you will have a long wait for lavender grown from seed. Its best to buy starter plants or get cuttings. If your goal is to keep lavender more than one season it should go into the ground.

Roots of perennial herbs need protection during cold climate winters. Being planted in the ground and mulched with chopped leaves will give the best protection. Annual herbs like several basil varieties would be perfect for a window box.

If I understand correctly that you planted a seed packet of each type of herb in its own pot then when those seedlings start to grow each will have to be transplanted into its own pot.

I am going to thin them out. Thanks 4 your help. UR great.

I would be VERY careful when dealing in mint--many years ago, I put in 3-4 plants in a landscaping bed back at my old house. It soon took over that bed and tried to take over the adjoining violet bed as well--I was continually pulling mint from among the violets, to avoid loosing the violets.
About the indoor herbs--I would think you could keep them indoors, you may just have to re-pot occasionally to keep the size down--(with the excess you could be genereous with friends)----

I have heard that about mint! Catnip does that too. I had some in my flower garden for the cats...never again. I stuck some in a pot on the porch and gave several friends all the rest. I work at a veterinary hospital so lots of people there wanted some. I warned them all-but they'll learn on their own! That stuff thrived through an ice storm, it's very hardy.