- \n
- Sturdy pot (I used a tree pot as a liner, and a decorative pot with a rolling base.)<\/li>\n
- Gravel<\/span><\/li>\n
- Potting Soil<\/span><\/li>\n
- Coarse Sand<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
Tools:<\/strong><\/p>\n
- \n
- Gloves<\/li>\n
- Trowel<\/span><\/li>\n
- Cultivator<\/span><\/li>\n
- Serrated knife<\/span><\/li>\n
- Watering can<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
First, lets take a look at the herbs I’m going to transplant.<\/p>\n
![\"\"](\"http:\/\/uncityslicker.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/09\/herbs1.jpg\" "\\"herbs1\\"")
<\/a><\/p>\nWell that’s pretty sad. \u00c2\u00a0This hanging basket of herbs was $10 at a local garden center, and provided us with tasty herbs all summer long. \u00c2\u00a0Now, I’m planning to wring every last penny out of these guys!<\/p>\n
There’s a total of 7 plants in this hanging basket, and at this point they are way overgrown for the pot and have become rootbound. \u00c2\u00a0The transplant won’t be as cut and dry as repotting an individual herb, but this is still a project that can easily be finished in 1 evening after work. \u00c2\u00a0I even had enough time to make a stromboli when I was finished!<\/p>\n
Start out by laying out newspaper. \u00c2\u00a0When you inevitably make a mess, newspaper should prevent your girlfriend or wife from killing you.<\/p>\n
I had a tree pot left over from the previous homeowner that was a perfect fit for these plants, and for the decorative pot I will eventually put them in. \u00c2\u00a0A terracotta pot or window box would also work for this project depending on how many plants you have.<\/p>\n
![\"\"](\"http:\/\/uncityslicker.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/09\/herbs2.jpg\" "\\"herbs2\\"")
<\/a><\/p>\nMost potted plants require good drainage to prevent water pooling in the container and root rot. \u00c2\u00a0For a container of this size (15-18″), I use about 2 inches of coarse gravel for drainage in the bottom of the pot. \u00c2\u00a0The pebbles range from 3\/4 to 1-1\/2″.<\/p>\n
After the drainage base is laid down, it is time to prepare the soil for your little buddies. \u00c2\u00a0It is tempting to just use straight potting soil, and this will\u00c2\u00a0certainly make your herbs grow faster. \u00c2\u00a0However, if the soil is too rich or if fertilizer is used, the leaves the plants produce will be less flavorful. \u00c2\u00a0I typically combine 1 part coarse sand with 2 parts organic potting soil. \u00c2\u00a0This mix will provide the proper level of nutrients, adequate drainage, and loose soil for the roots to work through.<\/p>\n
![\"\"](\"http:\/\/uncityslicker.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/09\/herbs3.jpg\" "\\"herbs3\\"")
<\/a><\/p>\nFor me, mixing the soil in smaller batches in a separate bucket makes things easier. \u00c2\u00a0Not only can you use the markings on the bucket to dial in your mixture, you can even pick up the bucket and swirl the contents around to mix them faster. \u00c2\u00a0If you’re not strong enough to pull this feat off, you can add and mix the components a few inches at a time to speed things along. \u00c2\u00a0(2″ soil 1″ sand, mix, 2″ soil 1″ sand, mix) \u00c2\u00a0Mix a little more soil than you need. \u00c2\u00a0If you can’t find a use for it right away, just put it in a spare bag for later.<\/p>\n
![\"\"](\"http:\/\/uncityslicker.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/09\/herbs4.jpg\" "\\"herbs4\\"")
<\/a><\/p>\nPack the soil down\u00c2\u00a0periodically as you’re filling the pot. \u00c2\u00a0Fill the pot about 2″ to 1-1\/2″ from the rim. \u00c2\u00a0The extra space will be taken up by the root balls of your plants, or extra soil can be added at the end. \u00c2\u00a0Remember how I told you to make extra?<\/p>\n
![\"\"](\"http:\/\/uncityslicker.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/09\/herbs5.jpg\" "\\"herbs5\\"")
<\/a><\/p>\nUsing the serrated knife, carefully separate the root systems of your herbs. \u00c2\u00a0If they’re root bound like mine were, they’ll take some persuading. \u00c2\u00a0I typically plant the knife midway between the stems of the plants and work out from there. \u00c2\u00a0Try to pay attention to any slope in the stem, and avoid cutting any large roots directly under the plant. \u00c2\u00a0Make sure to wear some heavy leather gloves, and be very careful. \u00c2\u00a0No amount of brownie points from the house chef is worth a trip to the ER.<\/p>\n
Once the plants are separated, mark out their new locations in the pot with your finger, and start digging. \u00c2\u00a0Backfill around each plant once it is in the hole, and make sure the soil is level with the top of the root system. \u00c2\u00a0Don’t bury the above ground portion of the stem.<\/p>\n
![\"\"](\"http:\/\/uncityslicker.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/09\/herbs6.jpg\" "\\"herbs6\\"")
<\/a>After all the herbs are transplanted, place the liner in a decorative pot if you want. \u00c2\u00a0Finish\u00c2\u00a0up with a solid watering, and another watering a few hours later. \u00c2\u00a0Clean up your tools and any leftover materials, and crack open a beer!<\/p>\nThe herbs will do well in any south or west facing window with 8 hours of daylight. \u00c2\u00a0They will survive on as little as 4 hours of light, but their growth will slow\u00c2\u00a0noticeably. \u00c2\u00a0This can be fixed with either a fluorescent or sodium grow light from a hardware store or garden center. \u00c2\u00a0Keep them watered, but don’t drown them.<\/p>\n
I’ll post a follow up picture in a few weeks to show you how they’re getting on!<\/p>\n
![\"\"](\"http:\/\/uncityslicker.com\/wp-includes\/js\/tinymce\/plugins\/wpgallery\/img\/t.gif\" "\\"gallery\\"")
- \n\t\t\t
- \n\t\t\t\t
![\"Stretched,](\"http:\/\/uncityslicker.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/09\/herbs1-150x150.jpg\")
<\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/dt>\n\t\t\t\t- \n\t\t\t\tSoon these guys will be transplanted to their new home!\n\t\t\t\t<\/dd><\/dl>
- \n\t\t\t
- \n\t\t\t\t
![\"I](\"http:\/\/uncityslicker.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/09\/herbs2-150x150.jpg\")
<\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/dt>\n\t\t\t\t- \n\t\t\t\tGravel should be added for drainage.\n\t\t\t\t<\/dd><\/dl>
- \n\t\t\t
- \n\t\t\t\t
![\"A](\"http:\/\/uncityslicker.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/09\/herbs3-150x150.jpg\")
<\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/dt>\n\t\t\t\t- \n\t\t\t\t2 to 1 mix of potting soil and coarse sand .\n\t\t\t\t<\/dd><\/dl>
- \n\t\t\t
- \n\t\t\t\t
![\"The](\"http:\/\/uncityslicker.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/09\/herbs4-150x150.jpg\")
<\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/dt>\n\t\t\t\t- \n\t\t\t\tFill the pot to within 2″ of the top of the pot. \n\t\t\t\t<\/dd><\/dl>
- \n\t\t\t
- \n\t\t\t\t
![\"Make](\"http:\/\/uncityslicker.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/09\/herbs5-150x150.jpg\")
<\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/dt>\n\t\t\t\t- \n\t\t\t\tSeparating the root balls and planting.\n\t\t\t\t<\/dd><\/dl>
- \n\t\t\t
- \n\t\t\t\t
![\"It's](\"http:\/\/uncityslicker.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/09\/herbs6-150x150.jpg\")
<\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/dt>\n\t\t\t\t- \n\t\t\t\tAdmire your work\n\t\t\t\t<\/dd><\/dl>
\n\t\t<\/div>\n<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"If you’re like me, you like having fresh herbs on hand for cooking. As Fall starts to roll around though, you notice your parsley drooping, your basil getting spotty and yellow, and your thyme slowing to a crawl. Instead of tossing your window box or hanging basket of herbs into the compost heap you can transplant them into a container. Not only will this provide you with seasonings over the winter, it will add a pleasant scent to the room where you keep them! Continue reading
- \n\t\t\t\tAdmire your work\n\t\t\t\t<\/dd><\/dl>
- \n\t\t\t\tSeparating the root balls and planting.\n\t\t\t\t<\/dd><\/dl>
- \n\t\t\t\tFill the pot to within 2″ of the top of the pot. \n\t\t\t\t<\/dd><\/dl>
- \n\t\t\t\t2 to 1 mix of potting soil and coarse sand .\n\t\t\t\t<\/dd><\/dl>
- \n\t\t\t\tGravel should be added for drainage.\n\t\t\t\t<\/dd><\/dl>
- \n\t\t\t\tSoon these guys will be transplanted to their new home!\n\t\t\t\t<\/dd><\/dl>
- Cultivator<\/span><\/li>\n
- Potting Soil<\/span><\/li>\n