"Mixed Herbs"

[Cabbagelover]

I use bouquet garni in sachets and they are becoming pricey to buy. So I thought that I could grow the "mixed herbs" that you buy in jars then dry them and this would give me "mixed herbs" for casseroles throughout the autumn and winter months. But I don't know what combination of herbs to grow to give the right "mixed herbs" flavour. I thought maybe thyme and bay leaves but what other herbs should I include?

[stanhol]

Parsley is easy from seed. Rosemary is good for all year if you can find a friost free place for it in the winter. Then in the spring take cuttings and you`ll have lots of free plants! Also Sage as Rosemary, except they die back in the winter but if you repeatedly pick the young shoots and freeze it grows like stink, and will eturn for another go next year!

Good luck,

Sandra

[Cabbagelover]

That's really helpful Sandra thanks. Do you think that the rosemary and sage will be best planted in a bed rather than in pots?

[malcolmx]

if you grow herbs in pots then you can keep them growing on a window sill during the winter so you can use fress all the year
basil sage chives parsley can all be grown in doors i also sow spring onions in pots and use them chopped up in mash during the winter

[stanhol]

Sage for definate in the ground.

Rosemary, I have had endless problems with, so have one in a pot and some creeping in the front of may garden. They like a warm spot but not low down if that makes any sense! I took 5 cuttungs from the one in the pot, which i only bought this year and all have taken, so maybe keep one in a pot this year and take cuttings then you can try out your new plants in your garden but still have a supply for cooking.

Good luck,

Sandra

[stanhol]

malcolmx,

Interesting that you sow spring onions in pots for winter use. Mine arent doing very well in the ground at all, and there was me thinking they were easy! What size pots do you use and how many to a pot? Do you succession sow all winter? How long do yours take before they are ready?

So many question! Sorry,

Thanks in advance

Sandra

[malcolmx]

6 inch pot sow as follows fill pot with say ji3 up to about an inch tamp down compost and soak sow seeds on top of wet compost then cover with about 1/2 inch of sieved soil do not firm just tap pot to settle do not water place in light warm position and wait
germination should be about 99% sow seeds closely as you are using the young plants so as they grow pull up plants so the others have more room
i grow mine out doors until about October and bring into greenhouse then or onto window sill

[stanhol]

Thanks for that i am off to pot up!

Sandra

[Cabbagelover]

What a great idea for all year round spring onions. I will have a couple of pots in my kitchen this year.

Thanks Sandra and Malcolm for the herb advice. It's very helpful.

[Lizald]

Hi

A traditional Bouquet Garni is a few pieces of parsley, a spig of thyme and a bay leaf.

You can add celery stick with poultry, rosemary for lamb and beef and fennel for fish.

You tie them and wrap them in a small piece of muslin cloth, then you fish it out at the end.

As you say, bought Bouquet Garni is expensive and you'll have great plants to use for other things as well.

Regards

Liz