Growing Herb from Seeds
March 11th, 2010
I remember that back in the day folks did all their gardening by ordering their seeds from a catalog. I’m sure a few people still pour over the seed catalogs. Those times are long gone now. I do not have the time to wait the month or more for germination. Do you?
It’s that same old story, some herb plants work better than others when you start from seeds. One plant that will quickly grow and rapidly mature is dill. Germination for the dill plant is a cinch. If you want to grow other herbs (like thyme) from seeds plan to wait a very long time for sprouting. Annuals are easily grown from seeds, as are some perennials. Since perennials keep coming back every year, they are real values for your budget.
I prefer not to begin my perennial plants in a seed tray or in a regular herb garden bed; instead, I use a container. The pot will give the herb lots of room to thrive and protect it from invasive weeds while they grow little by little. Most herbs can begin to sprout within three or 4 weeks.
If you have a mild winter where you live, you can sow both your annual and perennial plant seeds year-round, provided that you have the right herbs. If you’re planning to begin your annual herbs outside, you can plant them in the spring, summer or fall.
Here are a couple of the best herb plants to raise from seeds:
- Anise: Also known as the hyssop, the anise plant has a lovely licorice aroma and has almost iridescent purple, green and blue notched leaves and spiked blossoms of blue and purple. Most people use anise as a flavoring in many meals and in teas. You can also use it in your potpourri. Begin these indoors in a little terra cotta pots at least six to 8 weeks before you intend to move this perennial outside.
- Caraway: The interesting looking caraway plant, which has a nutty, licorice flavor that is just as interesting, is used in liqueurs, but also in sauerkraut, split pea soup and even goulash. The most frequently used part of the caraway is the seed, but the root is also edible. To have a longer growing season with this biennial, begin your plant inside from seeds at least 6 weeks before you plan to move it outside.
- Coneflower: Add coneflower to your herb garden if you’re looking for a perennial that is not a problem to care for. Even though many people call it a wildflower, it’s an herb because of its healing benefits. The healing name for the coneflower is Echinacea, which can hold your allergies in check and keep your immune system strong.
It will take about 6 weeks for your herbs to sprout, get strong and be ready to go outdoors in either pots or beds. This is especially helpful if you live in cold-weather climates—it’ll give you a jumpstart on the growing season.
If you are in a warm-weather climate, you can start your perennials at anytime.
When you plant your annual seeds, just sow them straight to your herb garden, or container if you are going to start there. Most of your basic annuals can sow their own seeds if the growing season is good and you will be off the hook for that.
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.
Growing Herbs – How to Read a Seed Packet
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Basil Amethyst Improved – 25 Herb Seeds *Near Black* $0.99 |
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Golden lemon balm live herb plant $4.50 |
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Pro-Mix Vegetable & Herb Potting Soil, Mycorrhizae Fungi Organic Growing Medium $14.50 |
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Spicy globe basil live herb plant $4.00 |
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Cinnamon Basil live herb plant $4.00 |
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Organic BUCKWHEAT Crop Cover 1 ounce. $2.99 |
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2 NAPA Home & Garden Wood Herb Crate w/3 Rustic Red Moss Pot Pots Pottery NIB $89.00 |
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*INDIA INTELLIGENCE BRAIN TREE*7 seeds*herb*APHRODISIAC*MEMORY*rare*#1049-A $1.65 |
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CORIANDER~CILANTRO SEEDS~40~2011-2012 $1.29 |
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100 German Chamomile Seeds Organic Herb Chamommile $0.99 |
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* PENNYROYAL * HEIRLOOM HERB 100 SEEDS $0.99 |
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* PANSY BLACK DEVIL * COAL BLACK GOTHIC!! 25 SEEDS $0.99 |
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* COLUMBINE BLACK BARLOW * PURPLE-BLACK! GOTHIC!! SEEDS $0.99 |
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Italian Oregano Herb – Good Scents – Organum – 4″ Pot $4.99 |
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Peppermint 200 Herb Seeds *Tasty & Fragrant Heirloom* $0.99 |
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1 Bag 6 Seeds Setose Asparagus Herb Plant Flower F009 $1.50 |
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50 Borage herb seeds taste similar to cucumber “beautiful blue flowers” .85S&H $1.25 |
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Cutting Celery 500 Seeds*Great Heirloom Herb/Vegetable* $0.99 |
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5 Fully Rooted Yellow Buttercups Plants, Evening-Primrose, Perennial for Garden $4.50 |
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NEW 48″ CEDAR WOOD WINDOW PLANTER BOX ORIGINAL STYLE WOODEN FLOWER BED $64.99 |
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(6) METAL 11 3/4″ GARDEN & VEGETABLE SEED PLANT MARKERS for Greenhouse or Garden $4.48 |
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Butterfly Chair GREENHOUSE Flower Garden Gardening $265.00 |
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21 GREENHOUSE PLANS BLUEPRINTS HOUSE GARDEN BOOKS HOW TO FLOWER NURSERY PLANT $9.95 |
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New 2 1/2″x 3 1/2″ Blk Plastic Garden Pots Greenhouse 150 $19.99 |
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Greenhouse 12′ X 7′ X 7′ Large Outdoor Green House Plant Gardening Garden New $99.95 |
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Large French Glass Cloche Garden Bell Mini Greenhouse $49.99 |
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How to Build a PVC Hydroponics Garden, Greenhouse, DVD, Training, Education $13.00 |
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