Where should I start herbs

Heirloom gard · January 12, 2014

I have basil, theme, dill, and two places to sow seeds, an unheated greenhouse or in my room which gets rather warm. Which do you think I should use?

Lorri D · January 12, 2014

It depends on the temperatures in the unheated greenhouse. Most herbs like warmer temperatures. My thyme, sage, parsley and rosemary live through the winter, but I started them in a warm house under lights. Others, especially basil, will not live in cooler temperatures. Lorri D

PaulF · January 12, 2014

Last year I started around ten different herbs for a 4-H project my wife and I gave to some local kids. Minnesota weather and ours here in Nebraska are similar. We bought herbs seeds in seed packets from a seeds vendor who specializes in herb and flower seeds. The packets indicated which needed to be started indoors and which were to be direct seeded.

I started the early ones at the same time as tomatoes and peppers indoors in controlled temperatures with a light system that allowed for 16 hours of light and 8 hours dark. I transplanted just like tomatoes, after true leaves appeared. With about 4 weeks to go before planting outside they were transferred to a greenhouse operated by a local garden club that had ventilation and heat if necessary.

If you only have the two choices and do not have a light system, my choice would be to start indoors with the heat.

Heirloom gard · January 12, 2014

i have a grow light and i plan on getting more when i can.

PaulF · January 12, 2014

If you say grow lights and they are the expensive specialty lights, save your money and get less expensive florescent bulbs and a shop light. I use a hot white and a cool white bulb in the two bulb set up.

b54red · February 25, 2014

I have always started my herb seeds in my unheated greenhouse about the same time I start pepper and tomato seeds in the same greenhouse.

Bill

January 12, 2014	#1
Heirloom gard Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Dec 2013 Location: St paul MN Posts: 73	Where should I start herbs I have basil, theme, dill, and two places to sow seeds, an unheated greenhouse or in my room which gets rather warm. Which do you think I should use?

January 12, 2014	#3
PaulF Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Brownville, Ne Posts: 3,295	Last year I started around ten different herbs for a 4-H project my wife and I gave to some local kids. Minnesota weather and ours here in Nebraska are similar. We bought herbs seeds in seed packets from a seeds vendor who specializes in herb and flower seeds. The packets indicated which needed to be started indoors and which were to be direct seeded. I started the early ones at the same time as tomatoes and peppers indoors in controlled temperatures with a light system that allowed for 16 hours of light and 8 hours dark. I transplanted just like tomatoes, after true leaves appeared. With about 4 weeks to go before planting outside they were transferred to a greenhouse operated by a local garden club that had ventilation and heat if necessary. If you only have the two choices and do not have a light system, my choice would be to start indoors with the heat. __________________ there's two things money can't buy; true love and home grown tomatoes.

January 12, 2014	#5
PaulF Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Brownville, Ne Posts: 3,295	If you say grow lights and they are the expensive specialty lights, save your money and get less expensive florescent bulbs and a shop light. I use a hot white and a cool white bulb in the two bulb set up. __________________ there's two things money can't buy; true love and home grown tomatoes.

January 12, 2014	#2
Lorri D Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: NorthWest Posts: 267	It depends on the temperatures in the unheated greenhouse. Most herbs like warmer temperatures. My thyme, sage, parsley and rosemary live through the winter, but I started them in a warm house under lights. Others, especially basil, will not live in cooler temperatures. Lorri D

February 25, 2014	#6
b54red Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Alabama Posts: 7,068	I have always started my herb seeds in my unheated greenhouse about the same time I start pepper and tomato seeds in the same greenhouse. Bill