starting from seeds

PaulF · February 10, 2006

Tomatoes and peppers I know a bit about, but not herbs. Is the process close to the same, how about the time schedule, etc. Our seeds will be coming from SSE and last frost is about May 1 and will be grown in raised beds filled with compost and sandy loam soil.

Thanks for any help,
Paul

**nctomatoman** · February 10, 2006

Pretty easy for the most part. Basil is incredible - sprinkle some seeds on soilless mix, sprinkle some mix over the seeds (shallow plant), spray with bit of water, loosely cover - they are up in 3 days! I've had similar luck with summer savory and thyme. Parsley is slow. Dill is easy. Borage is easy and fun. Rosemary is slow and seed viability is awful.

The main thing with herbs is that they lose viability very quickly.

shelleybean · February 10, 2006

Yes, parsley is slow. I start it ten weeks before planting outside. It can take up to a month just to germinate (mine has never taken that long with fresh seed though) and it's a slow grower. I continue to grow it from seed because I can keep it outside all winter and just about the time I can cut off my new plants, the ones from the previous year finally start to go to seed. If I buy a transplant, it goes to seed sooner. I like the Italian flat leaf kind.

Basil is quick and easy. And if you don't want to start it indoors you can always just start it in the garden.

MsCowpea · February 12, 2006

THE NEW SEED STARTERS HANDBOOK (by Nancy Bubel)has a whole chapter on starting herbs from seeds.

Althea · February 16, 2006

My experience with basil, and many others mentioned is the same as what has already been posted.

This article in The Herb Companion might be useful.

http://www.herbcompanion.com/articles/02_03_06-seeds

matermama · May 11, 2006

I have parsely growing out of my ears , i even saw it under snow, still green ???!!!!

I have it in my strawberry patch. I planted it last yr and it didn't do so good, but this yr "WOW ",
I am having trouble iwth Heartscense? and lemon balm can i get some grownig tips , only about 4 of the 12 of the lemon balm grew and only 2 are maybe 1/2 " the rest are little ity bity things that when i water go under and take a day or two to recupeerate.
My cilatntro is gong like crazy too, but the new ones this yr bombed. It seems like the more i ignore my herbs the better they grow? and the more attention i give them "well " they don't grow?

Is this some kind of sick herb humor they have ? lol

thanks
sue

February 10, 2006	#1
PaulF Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Brownville, Ne Posts: 3,294	starting from seeds Tomatoes and peppers I know a bit about, but not herbs. Is the process close to the same, how about the time schedule, etc. Our seeds will be coming from SSE and last frost is about May 1 and will be grown in raised beds filled with compost and sandy loam soil. Thanks for any help, Paul

February 10, 2006	#2
nctomatoman Tomatoville® Moderator Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Hendersonville, NC zone 7 Posts: 10,385	Pretty easy for the most part. Basil is incredible - sprinkle some seeds on soilless mix, sprinkle some mix over the seeds (shallow plant), spray with bit of water, loosely cover - they are up in 3 days! I've had similar luck with summer savory and thyme. Parsley is slow. Dill is easy. Borage is easy and fun. Rosemary is slow and seed viability is awful. The main thing with herbs is that they lose viability very quickly. __________________ Craig

February 10, 2006	#3
shelleybean Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Virginia Beach Posts: 2,648	Yes, parsley is slow. I start it ten weeks before planting outside. It can take up to a month just to germinate (mine has never taken that long with fresh seed though) and it's a slow grower. I continue to grow it from seed because I can keep it outside all winter and just about the time I can cut off my new plants, the ones from the previous year finally start to go to seed. If I buy a transplant, it goes to seed sooner. I like the Italian flat leaf kind. Basil is quick and easy. And if you don't want to start it indoors you can always just start it in the garden. __________________ Michele

February 16, 2006	#5
Althea Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: z4MN Posts: 261	My experience with basil, and many others mentioned is the same as what has already been posted. This article in The Herb Companion might be useful. http://www.herbcompanion.com/articles/02_03_06-seeds __________________ Solanaceae Hugger

May 11, 2006	#6
matermama Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Saint Paris, OH Posts: 143	herbs I have parsely growing out of my ears , i even saw it under snow, still green ???!!!! I have it in my strawberry patch. I planted it last yr and it didn't do so good, but this yr "WOW ", I am having trouble iwth Heartscense? and lemon balm can i get some grownig tips , only about 4 of the 12 of the lemon balm grew and only 2 are maybe 1/2 " the rest are little ity bity things that when i water go under and take a day or two to recupeerate. My cilatntro is gong like crazy too, but the new ones this yr bombed. It seems like the more i ignore my herbs the better they grow? and the more attention i give them "well " they don't grow? Is this some kind of sick herb humor they have ? lol thanks sue

February 12, 2006	#4
MsCowpea Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: S. FLorida / Zone 10 Posts: 369	THE NEW SEED STARTERS HANDBOOK (by Nancy Bubel)has a whole chapter on starting herbs from seeds.