Your comments and tips

21 Feb 10, ashley (Australia - sub-tropical climate)

To Julie Lake , re coriander,thanks for the advice , convincing proof of the accuracy of your advice is just starting to appear in pots and garden I seeded about 2 months back - lets hope I get enough for a supply of seed. Will have to find some way for around the year supply because we really get through some and I hate buying those limp supermarket offerings. Thanks again.

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28 Feb 10, Leah (Australia - temperate climate)

I have struggled to keep coriander producing in the past too (i.e goes to seed very fast) However, the best way I have recently found is to plant seed around other leafy vegetables, where it stays moist and shaded. I have had ALOT of coriander come up under and around my beetroot and it is thriving happily there... I just pick leaves as I need them which keeps the plants small enough to be happy under the other plants.

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28 Feb 10, Barb (Australia - sub-tropical climate)

For those of with summers too warm for coriander... Another option is 'long-leaf coriander' (Eryngium foetidum), a completely different species. Not quite as yummy as normal coriander, it has a strong coriander taste, and it copes with heat. I grow it in semi-shade all summer long. You need two lots - one you allow to go to seed, and the eating one where you pick-out the flower stalks as they form, to avoid the leaves getting too prickly.

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18 Apr 10, Chris@Gardenate (Australia - cool/mountain climate)

I've updated the recommended planting dates based on everyone's advice for sub-tropical regions. Thanks!

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24 Jun 10, Julie Lake (Australia - cool/mountain climate)

Re Ashley and Coriander - glad I could be of help. I alternate it with Vietnamese mint as a summer herb because it has a similar flavour and can be grown through the hot, wet season.

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22 Jan 11, (Australia - temperate climate)

I have tried to grow Coriander in Melbourne with very little success. Now I have bought a large herb self watering pot that holds 10 litres of water. Should I keep the pot in the full sun during summer or put it in semi shade?

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05 Feb 11, George (Australia - cool/mountain climate)

Coriander, my wife's favourite herb. In Melbourne, late December 2010, I planted a few seedlings of coriander in a large pot (50cm dia) containing excellent, well-drained soil, fertilizer, a liberal dressing of lime, and a healthy supply of regular watering. Position, all-day sun. The plants thrived, but unfortunately, after about two weeks the coriander bolted, having produced very small, if any, leaves. Very frustrating. In hindsight, I strongly suspect the mistake was keeping the very large coriander pot in full sun. I suggest you avoid the afternoon sun until the plants are firmly established (at about 30cm high) Hope this helps PS I know from experience that parsley will flourish with only part-morning sun.

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15 Feb 11, Melody (Australia - sub-tropical climate)

I also failed with Asian coriander then found an unrelated plant called Mexican coriander (Eryngium foetidum) that looks nothing like but tastes exactly the same. It resembles Dandelion in that longish leaves come from a central root at ground level. These are not as soft as the other coriander but are more robust so the flavour can survive some cooking. Cut out the flower stem to prolong life but it does seed readily too. I found mine at a nursery so maybe ask your friendly nursery staff to look into it for you. Cheers!

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16 Jul 11, Rob (Australia - cool/mountain climate)

Yes, it's always the same, regular coriander will bolt in the Victorian summer. I returned from Thailand with some seeds earlier this year and sowed them together with the seeds I've been using in the past. But this time, I sowed them at the end of summer. Wonderful bushy leafy coriander is growing through the winter, just clip and use, then it keeps growing. Even frost here in Yarra Valley has not stopped it. Best crop ever, but not crossing my fingers for this summer's plantings. Winter is the trick and same suggestion from Thai friends.

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22 Jul 11, hz (Australia - arid climate)

I had luck with a $1.50 pkt of coriander seeds from Aldi ( meant for the kitchen, but I planted them lol) - better than more expensive brand coriander seed from the garden centre. Winter is the go, it hates the Aussie sun !

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