Growing Herbs Indoors From Seeds

Starting from seeds can be a little tedious, but I love giving my annuals a jump on the growing season by starting them from either the seeds I collected the previous summer or from seeds I order online.

If you're interested in starting your garden from seeds keep in mind that some herb plants work better than others when you grow them at home from seeds.

First, soak your seeds for at least three hours before planting them so that they will have an extra advantage. You can also pre-sprout your herbs by soaking them, folding them up in a moist paper towel and then sealing them in a freezer bag. If you go this route, be sure to keep the sealed bag away from heat and check back often to see if the seeds have started germinating yet. Once your seeds have started to sprout, you are ready to plant them in some rich, moist sod.

I've said it before and I'll say it again, read up on your herb plants before you get the seeds or begin the sprouting process, because that might not be enough. Some varieties of seeds need to be scratched up before they can grow. Other types will need to be heated up (from light, not the microwave, stove or oven) before you cultivate them. Good examples of these include the chili pepper and citronella herbs.

It is important to control your seeds' growing environment once the sprouting process begins. How long it will take your seeds to germinate depends on the seed. Some can take only 5 or 6 days while others can take over a month.

Go purchase one of the soil mixes designed for growing seeds-the best ones usually contain vermiculite and sphagnum moss.

I grow plenty of herbs from seeds each year. Some of my favorite ones are:

Caraway: You can plant caraway straight from the spice jar, which I believe is wonderful and simple. All you have to do is add a few seeds to a pot and cover with a thin layer of sod and a small bit of water. Caraway only takes a few days to grow. Then you can transfer your herb to a larger container or garden bed. Use caraway to add something extra to your Octoberfest meals and also your curries.


Lavender: For the fastest and best outcomes, use the Lady kind of Lavender or it can take forever to raise your lavender herb-and why waste time waiting for seeds to develop when you could already be enjoying this most sublime plant.


Nasturtium: These brilliant and edible herbs are so simple to raise from seeds that you will wonder why you didn't start it sooner. If you decide to try these out, begin by soaking the seeds for at least 8 hours and then plant them in rich, well-drained dirt. Nasturtiums like living indoors, so you don't have to move them out once spring comes. Just lop off a couple of blooms when you need them to add color to your salads.


Shepherd's Purse: Even though many folks think shepherd's purse is a weed, this tasty plant has a delicate peppery smell and the taste is a great addition to any salad. Because the leaves are rich in vitamins C and A you will get health benefits while you eat this mouth-watering herb. To cultivate shepherd's purse, simply sow the seeds on top of the earth, water it and watch it grow.

If you want to really experiment with growing herb plants from seeds, experiment with these herb plants too: bee balm, borage, catnip, chives, and dill.

Good luck with your herb gardening. Be sure to let me know how your herb garden grows.