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Emi from Niger writes
I'm happy I found your site. I'll be living in Niger for the next ten1stNov06 Ian writes ---Hi Emi,
Great to hear from somebody from Niger! Your country is hot like Australia except your coolest time of year – coming up – is our summer. November through to February should be great for growing herbs in your part of the world.
Regarding watering, your herbs are more likely to suffer from too much water than too little. I say that because if you don't have good drainage they just won't thrive. That's why I like the spiral arrangement – they just can't get waterlogged because the water drains to the bottom of the spiral. It doesn't need to be a spiral if you haven't got bricks or suitable rocks; a mound of good draining soil will be fine – form little terraces (flat areas) to plant the herbs in. Some shade for part of the day will be good – even in your “cool” season.
How much water? Of course that depends upon how much rain you're getting, but I find every third day is enough, particularly if you have a bit of mulch around them. If the herbs are in a good depth of good draining soil you'll soon know if they need a little more water. They just mustn't be wet all the time.
Another tip – don't let the basil and coriander get flowers that is “go to seed”. The best way to avoid that is to keep using them as they grow. If you are getting good lush growth they just love being cut back. They will grow even faster.
And keep your mint separate from the rest or it will take over your garden. I grow mine in a pot to avoid that.
It's great to hear from you Emi – good luck with your herbs. Let me know how you go
Ian
PS Anyone else from Africa growing herbs? Any tips?
1stNov06: Hi Ian!!!! thanks a lot for your answer!! Im getting really excited with my little project!!!
and I have some more questiones for you. I ve been talking to the local people to find out what kind of soil we have here, and i found out that what they do is a mixture of sand and compost. (Niger is pretty dessert, so sand is easy to find everywhere!!! Do you think that would be a well-drained soil or I have to add something else?... there not many more posibilities by the way..!
If I grow the plants in pots will they grow all the same? and the last..how long (more or less) do I have to wait till I see the first green little leaf? so as not to get anxious!!!!
Thanks a lot again for all your help; i ll promise I ll send a picture of my plants... if they grow some day!!!!
Emi
3rdNov 06 Hi again Emilia!
I'm so pleased that you are enthusiastic about your project. Once you get used to having your own herbs you want to keep on doing it.
Your soil sounds fine for herbs. They don't need a rich soil; the sand mixed with compost should be fine. A little slow release general fertiliser if you like. Are you growing from seed? That should be fine but I must admit I don't bother these days. I just get seedlings so I don't have to worry about getting seed raising mix and transplanting etc although some people think that's a large part of the fun! You might not be able to get seedlings or potting mix where you are (?). But if you have compost and lots (as you say) of sand your seeds should come up fine.
So just a few comments if are growing from seed: The basil seeds are best left in the dark at about 70 F to germinate and should germinate in about 7 to 14 days. Then transplant them about 6" apart, usually in full sun, but, in your country, part shade at some time of day is good.
Coriander seeds should be sown about 4" apart where you want them to grow (they don't like to be transplanted) are also best left to germinate in the dark (you can cover them with plastic) at about 60 F and might take up to 3 weeks to appear. You might find coriander hard to get going in a hot climate because once they are germinated they should be in full sun! But they are worth the trouble because once you have a plant you can use the seeds as well as the leaves (which they call "cilantro" in America) in your cooking. But I buy seedlings and have never had any trouble transplanting them so maybe you can try that - I mean grow the seedlings yourself and then plant them out.
Mint is just too easy to grow. But I suggest you grow it in a pot so it doesn't take over the garden.It likes full sun and the plants can be thinned to about 4". I don't know what quality of seeds you get where you are but growing from seed may well result in your getting a variety of different mint types. But mint has a great fragrance and I like to position my pot where people may brush against it to release the odour! It's also great in cooking.
I planted some basil/mint this year - I'd never come across it before - and it's really taken off and smells wonderful. Basil is my favourite herb.
Parsley seed germinates very slowly, and it might be 3 to 4 weeks before you see anything. Sow the seeds directly into garden, 1/4" deep, and then thin the seedlings to 4 to 6". Keep them well watered. Soaking seed in water for 24 hours will speed germination. So good luck, Emilia. Let me now how you go! Ian F
14thNov06: ian!! thank you so much for all your advices!!!! Cilantro and basil are already starting to grow!! which makes me really happy, the mint and the presley not yet..as you said persley should take longer.. mhmhm but I have doubts about the mint, will see.
Anyway, thanks a lot!! I ll let you know how is everything going!!
Emi
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