herbs?

[angmf2233]

I planted a few herbs in pots all I managed to grow was dill? It has gone to seed what do I do. I always bought herbs in bottles, McCormick, so can someone tell me what to do? Is it to late to do anything. Also should I let them die off in pots and hope they come back next year?

[Mandy]

We have several varieties in a half barrel that reseed themselves every year such as thyme, dill, chives and rosemary. It's also not in full sun all day, don't know if that's the key. It gets morning sun then shade til 2 pm. All you can do is experiment.

[trudy]

the original plant will come back, I'd save some seeds an replant next spring.

[diana]

angmf2233,

You're dill is done. Chop up the leaves and cook with them. Collect the seed and save some to start for next year. If the dill leaves don't have enough flavor for you, try using them before the plant blooms next year. As a general rule of thumb, herbs tend to lose their potency once they've flowered.

I have had little success with growing herbs in pots BUT growing them outside has proven to be SOOO easy and extremely rewarding. I highly recommend it. If you have the opportunity, you may want to try some perennial herbs that are cold-hardy in your area (rosemary, thyme, oregano, chives). Even a blanket of snow doesn't hurt these herbs (although the oregano leaves do turn black in the winter). I love brushing off the snow cover and harvesting them! Keeps me in touch with my garden during the winter months. These herbs will get bigger and more beautiful each year. Chives do well, too. They do die back in the winter, but they're bulbs, so they'll be sending up shoots in the spring. And gradually multiplying!

Dill will die in the autumn, but it's worth planting because it re-seeds itself easily (and prolifically!) so you really only have to plant it once. Basil is also too tender for MD/PA winters but one SMALL plant planted in the spring can be HUGE (2.5 ft. tall x 2 ft. wide) by August. And I'm told that you can dig it up and pot it to bring inside. I'm trying that this year.

I'm sure this is more info. than you wanted--I just get carried away when I'm talking about something I love!

[Mandy]

Great info the whole way around.

[angmf2233]

when are dill seeds ready, right now its yellow flower tops? I did put garlic chive seeds and regular chives, and got nothing. I do have them outside, just put the pots in my garden, in the dirt, so I no where they are.I'm not a big herb person, but may keep trying. Thanks for info.

[diana]

Dill turns brown at the top when the seeds are mature. The seed falls off VERY easily so they'll be dropping into your garden, but there are so many seeds on one flower head that you should be able to harvest plenty.

Sorry your chives didn't take. I started mine from a small nursery plant and it's tripled its size in three years. Except for the annuals (basil, sage and dill), all my cooking herbs increase at that rate (or faster). That makes the investment in a tiny plant from the nursery more than worth it. Or get some cuttings or divisions from other gardeners. Rosemary, oregano and thyme all root easily.

Good luck!