Growing Herb from Seeds
When I was child, I can recall sitting with my grandmother, looking at the seed catalog, looking for the best tomatoes, cucumbers and corn. I’m sure some folks still pour over the seed catalogs. Now don’t mind me, but in today’s world you just cannot grow all your herb plants from seeds, unless you want to wait forever for them to do anything.
It’s that same old story, some herbs work better than others when you start from seeds. One plant that will quickly grow and rapidly mature is dill. It can grow pretty much anywhere. If you want to cultivate other herb plants (like thyme) from seeds plan to wait a very long time for sprouting. Annuals are usually grown from seeds, as are some perennials. Since perennials come back every year, they are real values for your budget.
I would rather not to begin my perennial plants in a seed tray or in a regular herb garden bed; instead, I use a pot. They take a while to get going, so it is important that they have room to thrive and not face competition from other herb plants or even weeds. Just be patient with your perennial herbs and you’ll soon notice that your seeds have germinated within 3 to four weeks.
Depending on the climate where you live, you may be able to plant both your annual herb plants and perennial herb plants at the same time, any time of the year. If you’re planning to begin your annual herb plants outside, you can plant them in the spring, summer or fall.
If you’re going to raise from seeds, you cannot miss with these:
- Anise: Also known as the hyssop, the anise plant has a nice licorice aroma and has almost iridescent purple, green and blue notched leaves and spiked flowers of blue and purple. Most folks use anise as a flavoring in many meals and in teas. You can also add it to your potpourri. Start these inside in a little terra cotta pots at least 6 to 8 weeks before you intend to move this perennial outdoors.
- Caraway: The interesting looking caraway herb, which has a nutty, licorice taste that is just as interesting, is used in liqueurs, but also in sauerkraut, split pea soup and even goulash. Although you can eat the root, the most frequently used part of the plant is its seed. To enjoy a longer growing season with this biennial, begin your plant inside from seeds at least six weeks before you intend to move it outside.
- Coneflower: This easy-care perennial will be a great addition to your herb garden. Most people think of it as a wildflower, but because of its healing qualities, it fits squarely in the herb camp. The healing name for the coneflower is Echinacea, which will hold your allergies in check and keep your immune system strong.
It will take about six weeks for your herb plants to sprout, get strong and be ready to go outside in either containers or beds. This is especially helpful if you live in cold-weather climates—it will give you a jumpstart on the growing season.
If you’re in a warm-weather location, you can start your perennials at anytime.
When you sow your annual seeds, just sow them straight to your herb garden, or pot if you’re going to start there. If you choose your herb plants wisely, you can get all self-sowers, which will come back next season from the seeds they “sow” this season.
Good luck with your herb gardening. Be sure to let me know how your herb garden grows.
Here is more information on Herb Garden Kits. Here is a website with a free mini-course dedicated to Herb Gardens.
