Raising Your Own
Herbs From Seeds
- it's not rocket science
Many herbs are easy to grow from seed.
They may be sown in containers or, where large quantities are needed, in
a prepared bed of fine soil in the open.
A few herbs are best
sown directly in their final growing positions. (Gardeners call this "in
situ sowing.") These are herbs that either grow very quickly, such as
fenugreek or watercress, or they don't like being transplanted, such as
anise.
Don't buy seed packets
with mixed herbs. These "Lucky Packets" are more often than not a
complete waste of time and money. And in most cases you won't be able to
identify the herbs.
Rather invest your
money in individual herb seed packets. Reseal the packets after opening
and store them in a tightly sealed container in the bottom drawer of
your refrigerator.
Use the following general sowing guidelines:
1.
Fill your containers
with a good seed growing medium and firm lightly. Ask your local nursery
to recommend a good seed growing medium. I use Culterra products, but
any reputable commercial growing medium will do. Or mix equal parts
compost and potting soil.
2.
Sprinkle the seeds evenly over the surface
of firmed seed growing medium. Space larger
seeds by hand. Cover lightly with sieved seed growing
medium. Water thoroughly. Label each container
or bed.
3.
Keep the containers
in a well ventilated, warm spot. You can keep them in full shade until
they germinate. As soon as they germinate move them to a spot where they
will get sun. Seedlings grown in hot, damp conditions are prone to
"damping off." The roots of the seedlings rot and the plants collapse.
4. Never let your seed
growing medium dry out, but be careful of over-watering.
Invest in a good watering can with a fine spray for your seedlings. This
will enable you to water slowly and thoroughly without "washing out" any
seeds or seedlings.
5. As soon as the
seedlings emerge feed them at least once a week with a diluted organic
fertilizer. I use Nitrosol at half the recommended rate, but any brand
will do. Ask your nursery for advice. Don't be tempted to buy a
"special seedling fertilizer." You'll just waste money.
Rather buy something that you can use for "normal feeding" as well.
6. Once the seedlings are large enough to
handle, tap the container to loosen the compost. Lift the seedlings out,
holding them by the leaves, not the stems.
7. Plant the seedlings carefully in individual
small pots filled with a good potting soil. Grow them on until they are
large enough to plant in the garden, or to be moved to their final
containers. Don't forget the labels, water and
fertilizer.
Hardy annuals and biennials can be sown either
in spring to flower the following summer, or in autumn for flowering the
following spring. Good examples of annuals are basil,
borage, chervil, chilli's, coriander, dill, nasturtium and rocket.
Biennials include celery and parsley.
Short-lived, hardy herbs that are used in large quantities such as
basil, chervil, parsley and
rocket should be sown at intervals of 3-4 weeks from early spring
to early autumn for a regular supply of young leaves.
Perennials should be sown in spring after the danger of frost has
passed. Popular examples are chives, fennel, garlic
chives, sage, salad burnet and sorrel.
If this is your first
attempt, start with basil, borage, chives, coriander, nasturtium or
rocket. They are quite forgiving and are ideal to gain some experience.
Next try your hand at
anise, basil dark opal, chervil, dill, fennel, garlic chives, parsley,
rue, sage, salad burnet, summer savory and sorrel.
Some herbs are easier
to grow from cuttings than from seed. This doesn't stop seed companies
from selling the seed and tempting you into buying them though. Popular
examples are lavenders, mints, rosemary and thyme.
Here's a handy seed
sowing shopping list:
[ ] x Bags
Seedling growing medium (or compost and potting soil)
[ ] x Sowing containers (not smaller than 10cm)
[ ] x Watering can with fine spray (at least 5 litre)
[ ] x Organic fertilizer (such as Nitrosol)
[ ] x Herb seed packets (basil, borage, chervil, coriander,
nasturtium, rocket, etc.)
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