Growing Herbs Indoors

[SazzyC0]

I am currently growing some herbs and some chilli's in my kitchen window. All the shoots have now come up. I am just unsure what to do next... Do i have to repot them or will they be ok as they are? I have Parsley, Sweet Basil and Thyme.

TIA

[Clanad]

They'll do just fine until you can transplant them outdoors. When you do, try not to distrub the roots too much. Using a spoon keep as much soil as you can around the root system as you transplant. Here in the U.S., I harden-off my herbs before transplanting. Place the container(s) in the garage or some other wind and sun protected place at least 4 or 5 days before transplanting. Be sure it's cool enough but not too cold.

Then, the night before transplanting, water them well. Don't transplant in the middle of a hot day. Better in the late afternoon when there's still 2 or 3 hours of sunlight left. Some people use a commercially available transplant chemical that helps the plant avoid shock. However, I've found that mixing a small palm full of common white sugar with a pint or two of warm water applied to the plant after transplant works very well to assist it in developing the root system it needs for the growing season. Be sure, however, not to fertilize them... especially with nitrogen...

Good luck. (For a real treat see if you can find Purple Basil... we like the difference in flavor {a mix of licorice and cinnamon} and it's reddish color is quite attractive in a bed of herbs). Seen here: http://www.tastefulgarden.com/basilpurple.htm ...

[Toleman]

For chilli growing discutions try here

http://firefoods.phpbbhosts.co.uk/index.php