Growing Herbs From Seed
This list of popular herbs are grown for their flavorful foliage, herb plants look great in flower and vegetable gardens . Herbs will also attract the bees that will pollinate other plants in your garden and landscapes.
Chives, Allium schoenoprasum - Small 6 inch plant, grown in pots or rows. Chives are not usually sown outdoors, because they are rather slow growers from seed. Sow indoors from Apr. 1st to May 1st in pots or flats, thinly, @ about 5-6 seeds per inch, 1/4 inch deep cover with fine soil and firm. Germinate at 65-70°F soil temp. for 12 days. Transplant seedlings in clumps outdoors in rows 20 inches apart, spacing small groups of 6 or 7 seedlings about 8 to 10 inches apart in the row. Chives like average light sandy soil, medium rich, in a warm sunny location. Make divisions of roots in the fall for indoor use in pots during the winter months. Chives are perennials and will overwinter in zones 3 to 9.
Dill, Anethum graveolens - Sow in rows, outdoors 2 ft apart @ 2 seeds per inch, 1/4 inch deep cover with soil, about May 15th, or indoors in peat pots as a bedding plant by March 15th. Seeds germinate at 60-70°F in about 14 days. All Dills adapt to soil and climate conditions. Thin seedlings 4 - 6 inches apart outdoors in rows when they are only 2 - 3 inches high. Seedlings do not transplant easily unless they are in peat pots. Dill matures in 68-70 days, sow seeds several times outdoors about 2 or 3 weeks apart. May 15th-June 30th.
Oregano, Origanum vulgare - Sow indoors in short season areas Mar. 1st - Apr. 1st, at 6 seeds per 2 1/4 inch peat pots press seed into the soil surface, do not cover and keep moist until seeds germinate about 3 weeks later. Wait until danger of last spring frost is over before you transplant young plants outdoors. For outdoor seeding, sow seed about May 1st in northern areas. Choose a medium rich soil with good drainage and normal moisture in a sunny location. Perennial, hardy in zones 5-9.
Parsley, Petroselinum crispum - sow parsley from seed in October when temperatures are cooler for good germination. Parsley thrives in soil with organic matter, hardy in zones 5-9. Biennial
Rosemary, Rosmarinus officinalis - Sow seeds indoors May or outdoors during May. Seeds germinate in about 21 days. Germinate @ 65°F soil temp. in sand or seedling mix, 1/4 inch deep, cover and firm lightly. This species likes warm, dry soil with lime dug into it. Mature plants form hardy shrubs, about 3 ft. high, with blue flowers. Pine needle-like foliage is gray, quite fragrant. In most parts of northern U.S.A and Canada, it is treated as a tender perennial that must be taken inside during winter months. Prune back plants each spring for more leafy shoots.
Sage, Salvia officinalis - sow sage from seed in the spring, thick strap like leaves come in many colors. Sage has bee attracting flowers, sage is hardy in zones 4-8. Full sun
Sweet Basil, Ocimum basilicum - Sow seed outdoors May 20th 1/8 inches deep, thin seedlings when they are 1 inch high - to 6 inches apart. Transplant every other one, spacing plants to 12 inches apart about two weeks after your first thinning. Annual
Thyme, Thymus vulgaris - Sow seed outdoors June 1st. Germinate at 70°F soil temp. For 10 days. Leaves are fairly broad, dark green. Thin plants about 30 days after seeding to 10 inches apart. Plants are spreading and should be clipped back after flowering. Thyme likes hot sandy soil with good drainage. Replant every 3 years. Plants should be mulched lightly for winter protection. Perennial
East Indian Lemon Grass, Cymbopogon flexuosus - Sow the seed from late January in a 3in pot, on the surface of the soil, then cover with a very fine sprinkling of vermiculite which, when exposed to very high temperatures, expands to produce a honeycomb like structure. Gardeners can benefit from this structure, as it helps to absorb excess moisture, insulates the seed and allows oxygen through the compost to the germinating seed. The soil temperature is critical for good germination. Place the pot inside a clean, clear plastic bag and seal with an elastic band. This will help hold in the humidity and heat required. It has to be a steady 20°C-22°C (70°F-72°F). Hot soil temperatures may cause the seed to become dormant, seed will germinate in 21 to 40 days.
