When it comes to easy herbs to grow from seed, there are really only a few specific factors that you need to consider. The main factor is the growing conditions of where you live in your particular area but there are also a number of variables, such as how much sun or shade your garden gets during certain parts of the year, as well as other issues, which you should consider before you plant seeds. In many cases, when it comes to easy herbs to grow from seed, if you’re just starting out with a new herb garden and you don’t yet know the requirements of planting, you may be best starting out with easy-care perennials.
The best time to plant Mediterranean herbs like mint, sage, Rosemary, thyme, lavender, oregano, parsley and basil is usually in spring. However, for the most part, if you’re planting herbs for the first time or transplanting an existing herb garden from another location, then you’ll probably want to start from seeds. For most other plants, you’ll probably want to transplant in the fall. If your soil is relatively wet, and you have a nice sunny spot to let your seeds get a start, then planting in the fall will work better for you than transplanting in the winter months. (And if you’re growing herbs for decoration rather than cooking, you might want to avoid planting in the winter months altogether.)
To be sure you get the most out of your indoor herb garden, it’s a good idea to follow these three steps, particularly if you’re growing herbs for cooking. First, remember that with cooking, as with any outdoor hobby, it’s important to water your plants thoroughly after they’ve been planted. Choose a short, even mist spray so you don’t dry out the leaves and stems. Next, keep the soil damp but not wet. To help keep the moisture in and avoid mold problems, place containers of peat moss or wood chips in the bottom of the containers. Finally, water your plants just as you would in your outdoor garden.
If you’re growing herbs for cooking, one easy-to-grow plant is the lemon balm or lemon verbena. These two varieties are especially suited to being grown indoors because their flowering periods are short during the summer. In fact, lemon balm tends to bloom more brightly than lemon verbena, and both varieties will produce small, pretty flowers during the summer.
For growing season, just plant the seeds just as you would for planting a seedling in the garden. Plant them six to eight weeks before the start of the new summer season. They should be given at least six hours of sunlight per day and you can help them thrive by giving them a short watering to encourage new growth. When watering is necessary, use a watering can with a wider opening than you normally do.
You may be surprised that there are so many herbs to choose from when it comes to growing them in your herb garden. It really comes down to what you prefer and where you live. In Florida, for example, mint is a fairly common visitor to herb gardens. Mint is one of the easiest herbs to grow from seed, simply because it likes full sunlight. You can place this variety of mint in pots and let them sit in the sun while the other flowers in the pot to bloom. When the flowers bloom and fade, just remove the plants from the pots and replant them somewhere else.
Basil is another easy plant to grow from seeds. The best way to grow basil is to use a pot that has a larger opening than the size of the plant. Planting basil outdoors will require a larger pot because it will need to spread out. Because it grows well in a large pot, however, it is actually considered an indoor plant. If you live in a cold climate, basil will not flourish. In order to get the most out of basil, plant it in indirect sunlight or on a sunny window sill.
Almost any kind of herb can be grown from seed, including parsley, dill, and Rosemary. In fact, if you’re having problems with certain kinds, such as mint, you can always purchase them in containers. Just remember that in most cases, herbs only need partial sunlight or full sun to thrive. Planting herbs in containers will allow you to take them outside whenever the weather is bad and enjoy the fruits of your labor.