Some herbs can be grown from seed, There are two ways you can do this
- Plant seeds directly into their desired spot, whether that is in the garden, a raised garden bed or a nice looking pot
- Plant in punnets until they are advanced enough to be transplanted into their desired place.
Planting Direct
As mentioned in my previous post, a good organic potting soil mixed with a good quality compost is all you need to plant your seeds directly in a pot or a small raised bed. The larger seeds, seeds that don’t like being transplanted and herbs that are picked quite young such as salad herbs can be planted direct. You can purchase seeds from reputable suppliers, online or in your local nursery. It will tell you on the packet whether to grow direct or in punnets and what time of year to grow. Spring or Autumn are usually the best times.
Scatter the seeds over the area to be planted, cover with a thin layer of soil and gently firm down. The soil must be kept moist at all times so that the seeds can germinate. The best way to do this is by watering gently with a spray bottle so as not to disturb the seeds.
When the seeds have sprouted, oh what a feeling to see them poke their way through the soil! and when they are large enough to handle, thin them out by cutting the seeds you don’t want just above the soil line so that no seeds are touching, this ensures room to grow. The seeds you have cut can be eaten in salads or soups. Do this progressively until you have the right amount growing in your pot ready to enjoy.
Planting in Punnets
Seeds grown in punnets are usually smaller so need to be grown in a fine soil. Bags of seed raising mixture can be bought from a garden centre or a 50/50 mixture of Coir and Perlite can be used. Also sold in bags from garden centres or hardware stores. The Coir, which is made from coconut shells, needs to be soaked in water, instructions on the packet, and then mixed with the perlite. This mixture is cheaper and is excellent at retaining moisture so that the seeds can germinate.
Fill a seed tray with the mixture you choose to use, water thoroughly and firm down. Sparingly sprinkle the seeds on the top and cover with some of the mixture, about twice the width of the seed.
It is a good idea to buy a seed tray with a lid so that the seeds stay moist and warm, otherwise cover with a sheet of glass or plastic. Put the tray in a warm protected spot in your garden or patio out of direct sunlight. Make sure the soil stays moist and hey presto! sprouting seeds! Wonderful.
The next step is to take off the cover for short periods, lengthening the time till you can take the cover off entirely during the day when the seeds are at the two leaf stage. You can then transplant the seedlings individually into a bigger pot with moist potting soil in when big enough to handle. Try not to touch the root when doing this, a small spoon or something similar can be used to scoop the seedling out. I must say it’s easier to do than to read about it! Therefore I will be recording some ‘how to’ videos in the future.
Water the pots well and keep them moist storing them in the same place as before till they are big enough to transplant into their final growing position in your awesome container of choice
