How to start a Herb garden.

[Aurea]

Yes, I will like some advice on what to buy(soil, fertilizer, plants etc) and how to start, where is the best "place" for this(in bright sunshine or a lil shade?). I want advice on local herbs eh - ah want tuh plant, chive, shadon beni, thyme(sm) for a start - what other plants good to plant here in trini? I like rosemary and basil - will that grow well here? I would appreciate any advice or help - thank's much.

Aurea

[vaio]

me interested as well

[shaddeck]

hallo aurea, rosemary and basil are both mediterreaen and not trini, ah would like tuh help yuh buh i´m into organic gardenin....an yuh already lookin fuh fertilizers and ting...

[letric]

Yes, I will like some advice on what to buy(soil, fertilizer, plants etc) and how to start, where is the best "place" for this(in bright sunshine or a lil shade?). I want advice on local herbs eh - ah want tuh plant, chive, shadon beni, thyme(sm) for a start - what other plants good to plant here in trini? I like rosemary and basil - will that grow well here? I would appreciate any advice or help - thank's much.

Aurea

Suggest you ask Sly1 ....

[Chicabonita]

Interested here too...

[letric]

Interested here too...

Gardening extremely therapeutic.

[Aurea]

Hmmmm, buh where aunty sly1 then? I will send her an e-mail yes. Vaio, Chica what ever info I get I will post here. Thank's Letric and shaddeck. Shadeck, I know that basil and rosemary aren't trini - I would like to start off with local seasonings and then add some like the rosemary and basil. I doh know much about planting anything! I wanted some advice from trini's who actually have these herbs instead of searching on d net and still not findind what I want.

Aurea

[miktay]

Rosemary aka Romeo grows well in some parts of Florida and Colombia so it should do well in Tdad. The problem is the seeds have a low rate of germination. U may have to 'sow' 3 or more seeds to yield 1 healthy plant. They can be used in some seasonings but also have.a pleasant aroma that adds a nice touch to your gallery or porch.

For those concerned with organic herbs you can source organic heirloom seeds from quite a few online seed suppliers....not too sure bout tdad....

[Aurea]

Thank's miktay, would love to get some heirloom seeds - some tomatoes specifically - but doh think any where in trini have this.

Aurea

[Sly1]

Allyu good yes! Me? I just do the best I can with what I have.

First of all, Ms Aurea you are pregnant, so how are you going to go do gardening? You must be taking it easy and pampering yourself, not out there in the HOT sun working like ah donkey What if you were to hurt yourself turning soil and handeling manure and all that stuff. Oh oh it looks like I buffing up de chile I mean if you were used to HARD laboring wuk I could understand, but I am not sure you should be setting out to do a garden project.....I might be wrong.

So some ah allyuh want to plant ah herb garden. Are you going to collect seeds or buy plants or both?
Next prepare your soil. In T'dad we have good gardening soil but you will need to add some manure. If the soil is too hard like concrete mix in some sand and it will separate the particles of soil. I you have been composting for a while dig that up and add to the soil. This will make your soil hold moisture. Compost and manure will feed the plants.

Some herbs will grow from root pieces or just stems. Be brave and plant anything and everything people give you. If you are using stems there is a product called Rooting Hormone which is wonderful. You just dip the dampened stem in the Rooting Hormone and then stick it into the ground or in a pot and the roots will start growing in a few weeks. More later on that (remind me please

Seeds...bless our hot and rainy weather! Perfect for seeds to break open. You want to grow basil, sprinkle the seeds on the soil, sprinkle ah lill soil on it and lightly tap it down just so the soil will make good contact with the seeds. If you have some straw you could sprinkle that over the soil so that when you water you do NOT wash away the seeds.

Seasonings bought at the market might have roots, take your time and look.

Most herbs love lots of sun, but basil could do with ah lill shade from the blazing hot evening sun.

You know allyuh have seasoning (herb) seeds in allyuh kitchen cabinet?
Yuh have herb teas in the cabinet? You might have seeds in there too.
Stick ah garlic clove with the skin on in the ground and let it grow too.
Networking....start talking about yuh garden to all your friends and fam and tell them you looking or seeds and plants.
Steup! Allyuh living too far from me or I could probably fix you up except for shadow bene I cya grow that by me I does have to go to the Internationl food store and buy the leaves.

TELL EVERY BODY WHO GOING FOREIGN TO BRING BACK HEIRLOOM SEEDS AND HERB SEEDS.
?? CAN SEEDS BE MAILED TO TT ??
SEED AT THIS TIME OF THE YEAR CAN BE PURCHASED FROM US ONLINE OUTLETS.
If you need suggested name of outlets let me know.

[Sly1]

hallo aurea, rosemary and basil are both mediterreaen and not trini, ah would like tuh help yuh buh i´m into organic gardenin....an yuh already lookin fuh fertilizers and ting...

So sweet SHADDECK why U think they cya grow herbs with out artificial stuff eh? Help dem nah! Yes organic is the way to go, I do it and it is clean and healthy.

[letric]

Allyu good yes! Me? I just do the best I can with what I have.

First of all, Ms Aurea you are pregnant, so how are you going to go do gardening? You must be taking it easy and pampering yourself, not out there in the HOT sun working like ah donkey What if you were to hurt yourself turning soil and handeling manure and all that stuff. Oh oh it looks like I buffing up de chile I mean if you were used to HARD laboring wuk I could understand, but I am not sure you should be setting out to do a garden project.....I might be wrong.

So some ah allyuh want to plant ah herb garden. Are you going to collect seeds or buy plants or both?
Next prepare your soil. In T'dad we have good gardening soil but you will need to add some manure. If the soil is too hard like concrete mix in some sand and it will separate the particles of soil. I you have been composting for a while dig that up and add to the soil. This will make your soil hold moisture. Compost and manure will feed the plants.

Some herbs will grow from root pieces or just stems. Be brave and plant anything and everything people give you. If you are using stems there is a product called Rooting Hormone which is wonderful. You just dip the dampened stem in the Rooting Hormone and then stick it into the ground or in a pot and the roots will start growing in a few weeks. More later on that (remind me please

Seeds...bless our hot and rainy weather! Perfect for seeds to break open. You want to grow basil, sprinkle the seeds on the soil, sprinkle ah lill soil on it and lightly tap it down just so the soil will make good contact with the seeds. If you have some straw you could sprinkle that over the soil so that when you water you do NOT wash away the seeds.

Seasonings bought at the market might have roots, take your time and look.

Most herbs love lots of sun, but basil could do with ah lill shade from the blazing hot evening sun.

You know allyuh have seasoning (herb) seeds in allyuh kitchen cabinet?
Yuh have herb teas in the cabinet? You might have seeds in there too.
Stick ah garlic clove with the skin on in the ground and let it grow too.
Networking....start talking about yuh garden to all your friends and fam and tell them you looking or seeds and plants.
Steup! Allyuh living too far from me or I could probably fix you up except for shadow bene I cya grow that by me I does have to go to the Internationl food store and buy the leaves.

TELL EVERY BODY WHO GOING FOREIGN TO BRING BACK HEIRLOOM SEEDS AND HERB SEEDS.
?? CAN SEEDS BE MAILED TO TT ??
SEED AT THIS TIME OF THE YEAR CAN BE PURCHASED FROM US ONLINE OUTLETS.
If you need suggested name of outlets let me know.

Excellent suggestions ...

[Aurea]

Aunty! Thank's sooooo much! I thought it would be a good project - I will get help with the "heavy" stuff on wkends. Can I plant in big pots instead of in the ground so I don't have to bend too much?

Aurea

[letric]

Aunty! Thank's sooooo much! I thought it would be a good project - I will get help with the "heavy" stuff on wkends. Can I plant in big pots instead of in the ground so I don't have to bend too much?

Aurea

Apart from her many accomplishments, is she also a midwife?

[Aurea]

Apart from her many accomplishments, is she also a midwife?

! Not as far as I know.

Aurea

[Sly1]

AUREA: Are U the one who is a Midwife? Not me. My lovely daughter in law is a Nurse Midwife who does the cesarean birthing and all that stuff.
LETRIC: Thanks for the compliment but I does birth plants
Last Saturday I was at the Atlanta Botanical Garden "hoiti toiti place" I competed in a Rose Show yes I did win
(1st prizes) 4 Blue Ribbons and did make Best in Show with only one rose 4 Red Ribbons and one Yellow Ribbon. .

[Sly1]

Okay back to HERBS! Remember to WEED out the area first otherwise you will be fighting weed forever! Remember to also keep the bare soil covered so weeds do not get light to grow and this also keep the soil from drying out and the roots can stay in constant good health. Keeping the soil covered means you can use corigated cardboard ( I love to use this), shreded paper, junk mail or the simple newspaper then cover over with mulch, straw, leaves, small branches or sticks.

Planting in pots? Yes BIG POTS, this way they do not dry out very quickly and can be kept close near the house for easy access for cooking.

[Solachica]

Sly1, post pics of your flowers nah

[letric]

Sly1, post pics of your flowers nah

Yes!

[letric]

AUREA: Are U the one who is a Midwife? Not me. My lovely daughter in law is a Nurse Midwife who does the cesarean birthing and all that stuff.
LETRIC: Thanks for the compliment but I does birth plants
Last Saturday I was at the Atlanta Botanical Garden "hoiti toiti place" I competed in a Rose Show yes I did win
(1st prizes) 4 Blue Ribbons and did make Best in Show with only one rose 4 Red Ribbons and one Yellow Ribbon. .

The reason why I queried, appear you lead an interesting life. Congratulations....

[miktay]

Chandon beni aka bandanya aka culantro aka dragon tail iza herb that does well in tdad but needs a lotta tlc...you have to water everyday and they cyar tel too much sun...

U can grow them in pots in the backyard or windowsill...

Hint: you can 'borrow' seeds from an existing flowering plant...just hold the flower b/t the thumb and index finger and gently rub and the seeds will come out in your hand...then put them inna small envelope or plastic bag...in this way they can stay dormant for months till ur ready to plant...

Tis an excellent seasoning for meats and shellfish and is what gives oyster sauce a special zing...

[Aurea]

AUREA: Are U the one who is a Midwife? Not me. My lovely daughter in law is a Nurse Midwife who does the cesarean birthing and all that stuff.
LETRIC: Thanks for the compliment but I does birth plants
Last Saturday I was at the Atlanta Botanical Garden "hoiti toiti place" I competed in a Rose Show yes I did win
(1st prizes) 4 Blue Ribbons and did make Best in Show with only one rose 4 Red Ribbons and one Yellow Ribbon. .

Aunty Sly, congrats - wow u won 1st place an ah now hearin this? I'm happy for u all ur hard work has payed off eh Send me some pics pls, u already said u would. Waiting for meh pics. And yes I will make sure they BIG POTS.

Aurea

[amzz]

AUREA: Are U the one who is a Midwife? Not me. My lovely daughter in law is a Nurse Midwife who does the cesarean birthing and all that stuff.
LETRIC: Thanks for the compliment but I does birth plants
Last Saturday I was at the Atlanta Botanical Garden "hoiti toiti place" I competed in a Rose Show yes I did win
(1st prizes) 4 Blue Ribbons and did make Best in Show with only one rose 4 Red Ribbons and one Yellow Ribbon. .

congrats sly!

[miktay]

Sly: ur last post is useless w/o pictures...

Help a bredder out...

[amzz]

I saw a space saving potting system at scitechknofest yesterday.. will post d pics when i download.. its interesting