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Starting herbs from seeds indoors provide you an enormous sense of fulfillment, apart from the fact it can add spirited flavour to your meals. The process is simple and rewarding, all you need is a little patience and care. Here’s a detailed guide for your journey.
Choosing Your Seeds
You can start with common kitchen herbs like Basil, Chives, Cilantro, Parsley, and Oregano. These herbs are easy to grow from seeds indoors. Each herb prefers a slightly different environment. So, understanding their preferences would further enhance your gardening effort.
Gathering Supplies
The basics you’ll need include:
- Seeds
- Seedling trays or containers
- Seed-starting or potting mix
- A spray bottle for watering
- A sunny windowsill or grow lights
- Clear plastic wrap or miniature greenhouse dome
Planting The Seeds
Fill the seedling trays up to three-quarters full with damp seed-starting mix. Follow the planting instructions for each specific herb, as some seeds will need to be buried while others will need to remain on the surface. Label the tray with the herb’s name and planting date to keep track.
Proper Watering Technique
Use a spray bottle instead of a watering can, as a strong stream of water can wash the seeds away or bury them too deep. The soil should always be kept moist but not waterlogged. You may need to spray water multiple times a day to achieve this.
Germination Process
Cover the trays with clear plastic wrap or a miniature greenhouse dome to create a humid environment for the seeds. This will help with the germination process. Place the trays in a warm place where the temperature stays between 60-70°F.
Provide The Light
Herb seeds need plenty of light to grow. A sunny, south-facing window would do. If this is not available, fluorescent or LED grow lights can work effectively. Set the lights about 2 inches above the plants and raise them as the plants grow to maintain constant light exposure.
Transplanting Movement
Once the seedlings have a few sets of true leaves and they are strong enough to handle, they can be transplanted into larger pots. Your individual pots should be filled with good quality potting mix. Make a hole in the middle of the soil, put the seedling in and cover the roots with soil.
Feeding
After transplanting, give your herbs some light fertilizer. Remember herbs don’t require as much as vegetable plants. Use a weak, organic liquid seaweed or compost tea every 2-3 weeks.
Harvesting
When your plants have matured enough to start harvesting, do so sparingly. You don’t want to take more than a third of the plant at a time. This will allow it to continue to grow and produce.
Potential Disease And Pest Control
Keep an eye out for common pests like aphids and spider mites. If these pests infest your herbs, it is best to remove them manually or use an organic insecticidal soap. To prevent fungal diseases, ensure your herbs are not sitting in overwatered soil and have proper air circulation.
Winter Care
Overwinter herbs by placing them indoors. Some herbs like Parsley and Chives, go dormant in the winter. You can allow them to do this, or you can keep them growing by providing supplemental light.
Starting herbs from seeds indoors requires some and patience, but the rewards are worth it. You’ll have fresh herbs at your disposal, you can control the growth environment, and it’s an enjoyable way to spend your time.
Remember that each herb is unique and it can take some experimentation to find out what works best. So, don’t be discouraged if not everything goes perfectly the first time. Happy growing!
