Planting Herb Seeds – When And How To Start Herb Seeds

Fresh herbs add an essential element of flavor to our favorite dishes. Yet, purchasing fresh herbs is time consuming and expensive. Starting herbs from seeds will not only give you the culinary zest you desire, but growing your own herbs is an easy project even if you don't have gardening experience.

How to Start Herb Seeds

Before planting herb seeds, consider where you want to grow your herbs. A backyard garden located close to the kitchen is extremely convenient during meal preparation, but herbs can also be grown in a container inside or outside the home. Most types of herbs are also well suited for cultivation in hydroponic jars.

Starting herbs from seeds is similar to sowing other types of garden vegetables. Most herb seed germination can occur indoors using a seed-starting flat with a quality potting or seed-starting soil. Seeds can also be started in plastic bags or in coir pellets. Once danger of frost has passed, herbs can be directly seeded into the garden.

To ensure success when starting herbs from seeds, follow these tips:

Choose your herb seeds. Herb seeds are seasonally available at discount, grocery, big box, and farm stores. Try greenhouses or online seed catalogs to find a wider selection of herb varieties. Common, easily-cultivated herbs include:

• Basil
• Chives
• Cilantro
• Dill
• Mint
• Oregano,
• Parsley
• Rosemary
• Sage
• Thyme

Sow herb seeds lightly. Place two to five seeds per seed cell or pod. When planting herb seeds outdoors, use a hand seeder to evenly distribute seeds along a row or in a defined garden plot. Cover sparsely with soil. As a general guideline, bury the seed at a depth which equals twice the thickness of the seed.

Keep soil evenly moist. Water gently to prevent seeds from washing away. Cover seed-starting cells with plastic to retain moisture. Outdoors, place a plastic water bottle with the bottom removed over the seeds. Remove plastic coverings once the seeds sprout.

Ensure adequate drainage. To prevent damping off, maintain proper soil moisture in outdoor gardens by adding organic material or raising beds. Ensure seed-starting cells and planters have drainage holes.

Provide plenty of light. Most herbs require full sun for optimal growth. Outdoors, sow seeds in an area which receives a minimum of six hours of direct sunlight per day. When growing herbs indoors, locate plants near a southern or western facing window or place seedlings under a grow light or fluorescent fixture. 

When to Start Herb Seeds

The best time for herb seed germination depends on where and how the herbs will be grown. For hydroponic or indoor herb cultivation, seeds can be started year-round for a continual supply of young, tender herb leaves. 

When planting herb seeds outdoors, gardeners are urged to check each seed packet for information regarding the optimal time for sowing seed in their area. Frost tender types of herbs can be started indoors six to eight weeks prior to the last frost date.

Once your herb seeds have sprouted, water regularly and thin as needed. Before transplanting seedlings into the garden or outdoor containers, be sure to harden off the young plants.