I have a cilantro that I planted about a month ago and its now setting buds getting ready to bloom. Can I leave them on or should I pinch the buds. I havent needed to pinch any off for use in the kitchen yet so have just let it grow otherwise. If I dont pinch the buds will it affect the plant in taste or growth?
Cilantro setting buds
I would cut it the whole plant back to just a few inches tall. If it blooms and goes to seed - no more cilantro. I had to go around and cut back lots of my herbs yesterday for the same reason so we made 3 pounds of herb butter and put them in the freezer.
-Kim
Thats alot of butter with or without herbs. Ok Ill go hack at it a little bit because I want to keep it for a while.
What kind of herb butter did you make and how did you do it? Or do yo have a recipe in the recipe forum? Sounds really good.
No real recipe. Soften butter and add whatever combination of finely chopped herbs, mix well. Mound onto wax paper and form a log about 2" round- roll up like a tootsie roll then wrap in foil. Freeze. slice off rounds/chunks as needed. We use the butter on steaks, corn, any veggies really also for dinner rolls.
You could also put the butter into smaller plastic containers - the key is not to freeze a big hunk cause you don't want to have to defrost the whole thing just to get some. With the rounds it just takes a few minutes to be able to cut through. We also take them as hostess gifts. You can see why we made 3 pounds now! LOL
-Kim
Man but it sounds good. I only have the cilantro, sage and rosemary growing but that would be a good start I think. Ill have to give it a try.
What, no basil!?! Come on over there is plenty here for both of us. You can put rosemary & thyme (some kinds) into the ground.
I really need to, Im tring to wait for kids to get out of school so I have more time and no rushing to get back home in time
You might consider letting some go to seed - you'll have coriander then to harvest (I think! Someone correct me if I'm wrong.)
You are not wrong. Then you can just plant more!
I was amazed to find out coriander seeds come from cilantro! Like a blue light special; buy one, get one free.
LOL, I decided I wanted the cilantro more so pinched all the buds off. Because of DH being hispanic Ive learned a little bit of latino cooking and its a pain sometimes to find cilantro in the stores because of all the hispanics in my area moving in. I also cant stand to waste so much because I can only purchase a big bunch and I prefer it fresh, dried cilantro dosnt have the same flavor to me and frozen, well, Im just picky I guess, LOL.