Which herbs can be directly seeded in garden?
General IL, Zone 8a
I'm in the midst of planning my first herb garden and questions keep cropping up. I had originally thought to start all of my plants from seed indoors but now I'm not sure. Is it actually best to plant straight into the bed? Are there particular herbs that do better started indoors, or should I abandon the idea of seeds and just buy some transplants from a garden center?? I would appreciate the advice of anybody with more experience of herb gardening than me!
Posted
by: Sharon Conroy
(1 point)
Posted: April 3, 2013
Answers
I know there are some herbs that don't like to be transplanted like dill. Though I would keep a broad experimenter mind set when dealing with your herb garden.
If you are to start seed indoors you can get the plants to germinate earlier than they would outdoors.
If you direct seed outdoors the seeds will let you know when they feel like germinating (when ideal conditions are met).
Buying plants is a time saver and a great way to get instant green gratification. Also for longer and harder to germinate seeds buying a plant say rosemary may just be a better solution
Personally I want a packet of seeds so I can feel like I could grow out 200 some plants for as much money as a single transplant. That being said I'm going to be heading to a store to grab a rosemary plant since I don't want to pamper the palnt from seed all year long.
Anywho to your question seeds are much cheaper than transplants so I would buys some seeds and give them a go inside and outside if they don't do well for you or germinate then you still have time to go grab some transplants.
Basil has germinated indoors and transplanted very well for me, and cilantro has germinated very well outside for me it also helped that Gourmet seed international put in nearly 800 seeds so I just scattered them willy nilly. I have not successfully started from seed parsley indoors or out. but give it a go a lot of the fun is learning adapting and streamlining.
Let us know what you choose and how it goes.
If you are to start seed indoors you can get the plants to germinate earlier than they would outdoors.
If you direct seed outdoors the seeds will let you know when they feel like germinating (when ideal conditions are met).
Buying plants is a time saver and a great way to get instant green gratification. Also for longer and harder to germinate seeds buying a plant say rosemary may just be a better solution
Personally I want a packet of seeds so I can feel like I could grow out 200 some plants for as much money as a single transplant. That being said I'm going to be heading to a store to grab a rosemary plant since I don't want to pamper the palnt from seed all year long.
Anywho to your question seeds are much cheaper than transplants so I would buys some seeds and give them a go inside and outside if they don't do well for you or germinate then you still have time to go grab some transplants.
Basil has germinated indoors and transplanted very well for me, and cilantro has germinated very well outside for me it also helped that Gourmet seed international put in nearly 800 seeds so I just scattered them willy nilly. I have not successfully started from seed parsley indoors or out. but give it a go a lot of the fun is learning adapting and streamlining.
Let us know what you choose and how it goes.
Posted
by: Wurgulf
(1 point)
Posted: April 3, 2013
Sharon Conroy commented,
thank you very much, really helpful Wurgulf. I really think I will try from seeds and then if all goes pear shaped I can buy some transplants like you suggest about 11 years ago.
thank you very much, really helpful Wurgulf. I really think I will try from seeds and then if all goes pear shaped I can buy some transplants like you suggest about 11 years ago.
The annual and biennial culinary herbs can generally be direct-sown. Perennial culinary herbs can often be seed-grown, but quality is almost always better from cutting-grown selections.
Annual herbs: anise, basil, cilantro, dill, fennel, lemon balm, shiso
Biennial: leaf celery, parsley (usually biennials, some first-year blooming may occur)
Perennial: chives, garlic chives, lavender, oregano, rosemary, sage, French tarragon, thyme, mints
Basil CAN be cutting-propagated, but I would only recommend this for a specific variety, like Pesto Perpetuo.
Any of the annual herbs can be started indoors and transplanted, but this is not necessary. Some of the newer seed-propagated lavenders (e.g., 'Lady') are very good, and germinate well.
Chives and garlic chives are very easy perennial herbs to do from direct-sowing. Both will self-sow readily, and become potentially invasive.
Hope this helps.
Annual herbs: anise, basil, cilantro, dill, fennel, lemon balm, shiso
Biennial: leaf celery, parsley (usually biennials, some first-year blooming may occur)
Perennial: chives, garlic chives, lavender, oregano, rosemary, sage, French tarragon, thyme, mints
Basil CAN be cutting-propagated, but I would only recommend this for a specific variety, like Pesto Perpetuo.
Any of the annual herbs can be started indoors and transplanted, but this is not necessary. Some of the newer seed-propagated lavenders (e.g., 'Lady') are very good, and germinate well.
Chives and garlic chives are very easy perennial herbs to do from direct-sowing. Both will self-sow readily, and become potentially invasive.
Hope this helps.
Posted
by: Rick Grazzini
(3 points)
Posted: April 5, 2013
Herbs are easily started indoors or out, but starting inside will give them a head start since many of them are tender annuals, and can't be planted out until the last frost date. Also, starting them indoors will keep the seeds protected from birds.
Posted
by: Bradley Cahill
(1 point)
Posted: April 3, 2013
Sharon Conroy commented,
Hi Bradley, thank you for your quick reply. Is it better to start seeds or buy transplants do you think? I think I would like to start seeds about 11 years ago.
Hi Bradley, thank you for your quick reply. Is it better to start seeds or buy transplants do you think? I think I would like to start seeds about 11 years ago.
Bradley Cahill commented,
Start them indoors then, very easy to do. Wait until the plants have at least two "true" leaves, no just the seed leaves that are the first to pop out, to transplant. about 11 years ago.
Start them indoors then, very easy to do. Wait until the plants have at least two "true" leaves, no just the seed leaves that are the first to pop out, to transplant. about 11 years ago.
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