Fresh herb question...

[lindrusso]

I searched the board and didn't see this particular question, so here goes.

I have planted chives, parsley, rosemary, oregano, basil and thyme. I know that I shouldn't let basil flower, but what about the others? Can I let any of the others flower without compromising taste?

I've been keeping up with the basil, parsley and chives (I guess since I use these more than the others), but the oregano and thyme are beginning to flower (no sign of flowering from the rosemary - it has been very slow to grow). The oregano flowers look like they will be pretty, so I didn't want to pinch them if I didn't have to!

After lamenting about my garden troubles in a previous post I'm finally starting to see some progress. My basil is now almost the size of shrubs and I planted 8 plants! Needless to say I'm furiously making pesto and freezing basil leaves - I have one gallon bag of basil leaves and am working on a second - THANKS AGAIN MRS. REBER!!!! However, I have noticed those telltale woody stems on the basil, so I figure they may be on their way out. I don't think I'll be lacking though!!!

Thanks in advance for any help.

[lorilei]

It has always been my impression that allowing any of your herbs to "bolt" is a NOT-SO-GOOD idea. The energy the plant dedicates to flowering takes away from the flavor of the herb. This is very evident with oregano (sorry!) -- it gets far less peppery once it flowers.

It's the same concept as not "overfertilizing" flowers -- if the plant puts too much energy into its greenery, it won't take the time to flower.

[Vanessa]

Don't let your herbs flower. If some are just take scissors and nip of the flowers.

[laden]

Cilantro and dill...what is the key?

Every year I plant basil, flat leaf parsley, rosemary, oregano, several kinds of mint, chives, thyme, and they all do beautifully except for the cilantro and dill.

The cilantro grows a little then shoots up about a foot and a half then dies. The dill never really does anything.

[lorilei]

Originally posted by laden:
The cilantro grows a little then shoots up about a foot and a half then dies. The dill never really does anything.

I cannot speak for dill (although I suspect it's the same).

Cilantro bolts very easily during hot weather, and there is no way to stop it. The key to a successful cilantro harvest is to plant it during cooler times of the year (early spring, autumn) when it will be less likely to bolt.

However, if you're a coriander fan, then let your first cilantro harvest go to seed -- you'll have fresh coriander on hand in no time.

[Angela]

I'm glad you posted the herb question lindrusso this year was the first time I've planted herbs and was wondering about flowering also. Thanks for all the good advice ladies. I started out with basil and cilantro, the basil is doing well and I have been sniping off the flowers; however, the cilantro did the "bolt-thing" and died. It's like it grew 2 feet over night, you could have watched it grow with your bear eyes! I thought it had been miss marked at the market and I actually had a bean stalk. The fresh cilantro tasted so good when I did have it I'll definitely get another plant for autumn, as per lorilei's post.

[maccmedia]

I've had an herb garden for many years and find that that best thing to do for herbs like oregano and marjoram is to chop 2/3 of the growth right off the top a couple of times during the growing season. You can then use this fresh or dry some for future use. Once you have established plants this doesn't hurt them at all and actually makes them grow better. As for dill the dill plants that self sow every year always do better than any I have newly planted - same for fennel. The trick is to not be such a good weeder in the Spring and you will be amazed at what annuals will return year after year.

[lindrusso]

Thanks for the advice from everyone. I snipped off the oregano last night and used it in the Spaghetti Pie and in my cucumber and tomato salad (along with parsley and rosemary) - it was nice having a side dish that was entirely from my garden!