Overwatering can damage and even kill plants, but it can be saved if action is taken before it’s too late. Overwatering can occur when the leaf color begins to fade, and seeds can wash away, be driven too deep, and overwatered or underwatered. The key to watering seeds and seedlings is to find the sweet spot to ensure they don’t dry out and become waterlogged.
To keep the soil warm, water the seeds and cover the containers with plastic kitchen wrap. Place flats in a warm, sunny area and place flats in a warm, sunny area. There are two watering methods for seedlings: top or bottom, with each having pros and cons. Maintain about one to two inches of damp soil around the plants.
When growing herbs from seed, soak them in water for a few hours before planting. Soaking helps soften the outer shell of some varieties, increasing their germination rates. Once the seedlings have emerged, only water in the morning when required and ensure the container gets as much light as possible. Growing herbs in water is an easy, mess-free, and pest-free way to enjoy homegrown herbs like basil, thyme, and mint.
The seeds and seedlings should only need a light sprinkle of water about twice per week, depending on the size of the pot and temperature. Herbs need good drainage and should be placed in a sunny area with good drainage. Cover seed-starting cells with plastic to retain moisture. Once the herb seeds have sprouted, water regularly and thin as needed.
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How do you grow herb seeds?
Herbs thrive in full sun and light, well-drained, moisture-retentive, fertile soil with plenty of organic matter. To maintain a continuous supply, sow seeds like coriander and dill fortnightly throughout spring and summer. Choose multiple cultivars with different maturing times to keep the garden productive. Pot up herbs like chives, mint, parsley, or tarragon grown outdoors and bring them in for winter. Keep containers near the house for easy picking, and use new or used growing-bags for limited space.
Start early in spring by sowing herbs under cloches and frames, and sow trays in a greenhouse or conservatory. Sow basil, chives, and parsley seeds under glass from January to early April, and chervil, coriander, and dill seeds directly into the soil outdoors from March onwards. Cut cuttings of herbs like bay, marjoram, mint, rosemary, sage, tarragon, and thyme from late summer to early autumn.
Do herb seeds need to be soaked before planting?
Soaking herb seeds is a recommended practice to increase their germination rates. Some varieties, such as parsley and coriander, benefit from pre-soaking for 12-24 hours. Herbs are sensitive to temperature extremes, and cold windows or window sills are the biggest threat. The sun from a window is important during the germination stage, but it’s less important during the first few days. To trick the seeds into thinking they are coming into spring, aim for 65-75F temperatures.
If your home doesn’t allow for this, consider using a heat mat to place under the seeds while they are getting started. The sun from a window will be important once the seeds sprout, but it’s less important during the germination stage.
Do seeds need to be wet?
Seeds have a protective coating around their embryos to survive dispersion and protect them until they find suitable conditions for germination. The seed coat remains intact until the conditions are suitable for germination. Seeds need water to initiate germination, as water softens and breaks the seed coat, potentially leaching germination inhibitors. Soaking seeds before planting is beneficial in sandy or heavy clay soils where water does not easily penetrate dry soil. Soaking seeds helps to break down the seed coat and initiate germination, making them more suitable for planting.
Do seeds need to be watered daily?
After sowing seeds, maintain a moist seed bed by watering it regularly, usually once a day, to prevent soil drying out. Park’s Plant Protector can help warm the soil and conserve moisture. In spring, keeping soil moist is easy, but in summer, beds need shade or mulching to slow evaporation. Thin seedlings as they germinate, following the instructions on the seed packet, as too many plants too close together can cause a serious weed infestation. Avoid being softhearted when thinning, as too many plants too close together can cause serious damage.
How long do herb seeds take to sprout?
Annual herbs can be directly sown, although this method can also be employed indoors. Anise requires 10-14 days to germinate and is ready for cultivation for 120 days. Basil germinates in 5-10 days and is ready for cultivation for 60-90 days. Summer savory can be sown in the first season.
How much water do herb seeds need?
A daily watering schedule may not be feasible for herb gardeners, but watering once or twice a week can be effective. It’s important to avoid overwatering, as a healthy herb garden requires time commitment. Watering herbs in the early morning hours is best, as it allows the water to reach the root system, reduces evaporation, and allows the leaves to dry gradually, preventing mildew or disease. Overwatering can be convenient, but a healthy herb garden requires commitment and time. Watering during the cooler hours of six to ten is also beneficial for preventing mildew and disease.
Is it OK to soak seeds overnight before planting?
To prepare seeds for germination, soak them in warm water for a period of 6-24 hours, depending on their size and the characteristics of their coating. It should be noted that some seeds may float, but they will swell with the absorption of water. It is recommended that the seeds be planted immediately after soaking, as this process can accelerate germination by a few days to up to a week.
Why are my herb seeds not germinating?
Seeds are frequently unable to germinate as a result of an excess or deficiency of water. Insufficient water results in seed dormancy, whereas excessive water leads to seed rot or infection by soil-borne fungi, a process known as “dampening off.”
Which seeds should not be soaked?
Seeds were designed to delay germination until the right time, so soaking them before planting boosts moisture, removes the protective coating, and softens the seed. The hard shell of seeds allows new growth to push through and grow. Seeds that benefit from soaking include corn, pumpkin, beans, chard, beets, and peas, while those not to soak include carrots, lettuce, radish, celery, turnips, and spinach. Listen to Cathy Isom’s This Land of Ours program for more information.
How long do herb seeds take to germinate?
Anise requires 10-14 days to germinate and is ready for cultivation after 120 days. Basil germinates in 5-10 days and is ready for cultivation after 60-90 days. Summer savory can be sown in the first season, while cilantro requires 2-3 weeks to germinate.
How do I know if my seeds need water?
To guarantee the optimal health of the seedlings, it is essential to conduct daily inspections of the containers and administer irrigation only when the upper inch of soil has reached a state of dryness. The frequency of irrigation should be adjusted according to the dimensions of the container in order to facilitate the development of a more extensive root system and to prevent the occurrence of overwatering. For seedlings that have recently germinated, it is recommended that the soil be moistened gently at the surface level using a watering can or spray bottle.
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You mentioned in one of your articles that teaching isn’t your gift; I completely disagree! I have learned so much from perusal your articles. I love how you present your content; it doesn’t overwhelm. You really give me the confidence to tackle some of the projects you do. Also, want to mention that I love the humility that you have and the gracious way you represent yourself on your website! 😊🙌
As far as plant markers, since mine don’t need to be pretty but just utilitarian I’m reusing old tags from things I bought in multiples and also cutting large yogurt or food tubs vertically into strips that I angle at one end and stick in the soil. This way I’m reusing plastic instead of throwing some out just to buy more. I’m even thinking of spray painting them and reusing every season. This won’t work for everyone but I personally have to try something to reuse the plastic I already have 🤷♀️🌱
Indoor herbs are my nemesis! I never seem to be able to sustain a good growing environment and if they actually get big enough to start to use then they seem to get little gnat bugs. However, seeing something starting to grow in January in Ohio seems worth it even if it dies! Here in Ohio, February is about the grayest and most depressing month due to the weather. If I start herbs indoors in January there might be some fresh green color to tide us over till spring seed starts in March! Excellent idea!!
You’ve mentioned a few times about having your lights on timers, do you have your fan on a timer as well or is the fan constantly going? This year I am starting my veggie garden 100% from seed for the first time, as well as adding a mini cut flower garden from seed, all thanks to your inspiration and the knowledge you share. Your articles have not only helped to completely transform my landscape and garden into my favorite place on earth, but have allowed me to ‘grow’ deeper into my passion for gardening and you have honestly changed my life forever 💜
I did it! I watched this article and bought my first grow light. I picked the mini bamboo one and all of the needed accessories. I wish Gardeners Supply told you which trays and Matt fit with each type of grow light. I figured it out but if you have a connection there, mention it😝. I also bought seeds. Can’t wIt to start growing.❤️👍🏼
I’m getting excited for the start of a new growing season. Yesterday, I placed my last seed order for 2021, at least, it’s my last seed order for this year’s garden …until I see something new that I just have to try growing! Gardening is my addiction of choice. I don’t drink, don’t smoke, don’t do drugs, but I DO plant and propagate! ~Margie
This was so helpful Laura because I have invested in some self-watering trays after I watched your previous article on the studio set-up where you praised them so highly. But I was wondering if you could use a heat mat with them or not. Now you’ve answered my question here by saying not to use the water reservoir until the seeds have sprouted and when you no longer need the heat mat. Thank you – I understand perfectly now and it all makes sense!!
I had great success with purple basil grown indoors in a south facing window. I did find that the seeds took longer to germinate and grow into seedlings than my other seeds which were mostly flowers. I grew the basil in a flower pot and seeded heavily purple basil is always harder to find here in New York, so growing my own was a perfect solution.
Laura, since you are soon to add to your family, it would be so fun to see articles of your garden from the day you first purchased your property until now. Each article could cover a section of your property showing the changes and the growth made throughout the years. You could update the articles annually to add the current year’s changes and then re-post them at the end of each year.
So glad I found your website. I appreciate how you communicate everything so clearly and stay on topic throughout. Hard for me to watch some people because most of them insert their own pointless & irrelevant jibber jabber that’s completely off topic from what the article is supposed to be about. You’re also unlike the others in the way that you aren’t the least bit annoying. Thank you for making these articles & keep up the great work!
Fabulous article! Thank you! This spring I put together a new 8 LED light 5-shelf system from Amazon to support my passion — cooking! No more will I pay $4+ for a single dish’s herbs. While most of the seeds I planted germinated and sprouted under the new lights and humidity domes, several stopped growing after I removed the domes. In particular, my chives doubled in height when I moved them from the strong direct LEDs to my protected southern window light. Conversely, my basil (which I bought live from Trader Joe’s) is going crazy under the lights — I’ve used and pruned and successfully started so many rootings from it in Mason jars —it’s taking over an entire shelf! My rosemarys seem to like toggling. I love having my plants consolidated to support my kitchen and outdoor container pot candidates, and get real joy caring after each one several times a day. Bien sur — tomorrow’s an antipasti!
that grow light unit is such a great size… and fresh herbs, what’s better?? there is such a feeling of satisfaction cutting fresh herbs from your own garden to add to your foods, and the taste can’t be beat… that will look so nice in your kitchen, too 🙂 in a “couple of weeks”, you’re likely to be one very busy momma!! 🙂 ❤ thanks for the article!! 🙂 ❤
What a delight to have your first article of 2021 take place in your new studio. Congratulations! The subject reminded me that my grandmother always grew chives in the flowerbed outside the kitchen door at their dairy farm in Washington’s Kittitas Valley. She would snip chives to add to the morning’s scrambled eggs, which were also fresh from the farm’s flock. They were so yummy! You inspired me to try chives in a pot on the windowsill this winter. Thank you for the inspiration, and for bringing forth such happy childhood memories of the farm.
Just one question from Palermo Sicily where herbs grow so easily for everyone but me it seems and I get a bit discouraged and have given up even attempting to grow them myself. Are there small holes in the plastic clear cover? I find it very difficult to keep moist without mold growing at the same time or over the seeds when they sprout. Is it just a question of keeping an eye on them several time during the day or the dors it dépend maybe on the amount of light and warmth they are receiving? Thank you both for your articles and the encouragement you keep giving through your words and enthusiasm !
QUESTION: I’ve come across articles about grow bags. Do you have any thoughts or experience with them? Are they just a different way of gardening? Do they have any notable benefits or negatives associated with their uses? They seem to be used for large vegetable garden plants like peas beans etc. could these be used to jump start your vegetables in the cold frame before being planted in the raised beds? Or do plants in grow bags usually not get transplanted into the ground and just spend the season in the bag? I’m curious about these items but rather confused why they are a thing. Thanks best wishes to you, your family and your new small one.
Happy New Year! A question about the leftover seeds in the packets: How long will they keep? I recently gathered up all the seed packets that I’ve collected so far for the coming season and realized while I have a nice variety, I don’t have room to plant everything I have. If I plant a few from each packet I have now, is it as easy as storing the rest and keeping them dry until I need them? Will seeds germinate reliably if they are kept year over year?
Laura, I have always wanted an indoor herb garden thank you for this step by step article, this may be “the year” for me to try. Question, when do you start fertilizing. Right when put seeds in, and then 2 weeks or when they become plants? Looking forward to perusal a New Years worth of articles, thank you for all you do.
I’m really interested in how you grow dill in the house. If I remember correctly dill is a huge plant, well tall?💚🙃 you might want to invest in a fatigue mat for behind your potting table, standing on cement takes a toll on your feet /body if your doing so for extended lengths of time. Just a suggestion anyway?💚🙃
Happy New Year! Love the new studio. I know you would love suggestions. Lol I don’t know if you are going to keep everything white or not. I find the bright white hard on the eye. Maybe paint one wall a light sage green. It would be beautiful with the wood and grey. Also it looks like you work a lot with black items, you might want to be aware of what color you wear. I know you are still figuring things out. Just trying to help with things in this end. Otherwise this is a great article. You’re helped me so much with my gardening skills. My garden has never looked so good thanks to you! Blessing to you and your beautiful family.
Hi Laura! Wonderful to see the new studio and it looks almost exactly like the “plant room”!! Awesome continuity 😊. I had a question about cleaning the mat, you mentioned in a prior girls about cleaning. Are there any specific products house/avoid? You are a trooper continuing to work right up until bay girl arrives 👶🤰🥰🕊️
Did I hear you say that parsley is a perennial? All the parsley I’ve ever grown has been biennial and bolts as soon as the second Spring rolls around. The package you’re holding states that it holds Giant Italian Parsley seeds. I grow a lot of Italian parsley, and treat it as an annual because it always sets seed in its second year and then dies. Where do I find this perennial parsley of which you speak? ~ Lisa
This was so nice to see – a new start to a new year. You have motivated me to do some winter seed sowing this year. Never tried before. But just wondering, how long will the seeds last in an open envelope if you don’t plant all of them? Could I then use them next year as well, or do they just give out? Thank you for all the great information.
Love your articles. Now I’m getting excited about starting my herbs! I alway use boiling water to moisten my seed starting mix when starting seeds indoors. I mix it around and let it cool of course. That will kill any fungus gnat eggs in the mix. Since doing that I never have a problem with the gnats. Do you do that as well? Do you ever get fungus gnats from seed starts indoors?
The new studio is now in operation. Yeah! Definitely less echos than when there was nothing in it. Have you thought of an outdoor rug or 2 to help dampen the sound? Love basil, cilantro, parsley and Thai basil grown indoors all year long. I’ve tried growing lavender and rosemary the past 4 years with no real success so I’ll be buying starts this year. My grow lights are set up in my furnace room so it’s warm and cozy – only need a heat mat for peppers.
First planting article in the new studio!! Woohoo! I recently bought one of the potted herb plants from Walmart. It was Rosemary. A couple weeks after I bought it, I went to water it and when I moved it a POOF of dust or dry mildew came off of it. I immediately threw it out because I was afraid whatever it was would contaminate the other plants. Does anyone know what the issue might have been with that one plant?
Hi Laura, I have a question about mold and gnats. You mentioned it when talking about adding wet soil back into the bag. I’ve been having that problem with my seed trays. I get green mold on top of my seed tray. Also, I get lots of gnats and whiteflies in my herbs when potting them up into larger pots. I’ve used the organic seed starter and potting mix but recently bought some indoor potting mix to hopefully arrest this problem. Do you have this problem in your plant room? I don’t want to spray my herbs so I throw them out and start over. Help!
My south-facing apartment balcony is unfortunately now completely blocked by a big beautiful maple tree. So now I’m not sure how my herbs will do this year. I have a south-facing window that the tree partially blocks throughout the day until mid-afternoon to evening, so am looking at maybe a hanging shelf setup to put in front of the window. The tree is great but also I am new-ish to gardening and am confused on how to approach it all. Any thoughts or advice? Can the herbs still grow if there is little to no sun on the balcony? I’ve got greek oregano, rosemary, mint, basil, and catnip.
Love love love your articles even older ones. Question/ask / your thoughts – while not creating new articles ( as you will be with Baby Girl family bonding) can Aaron create some ‘ changes through the years’ articles of the different garden spaces. Thank you can waiting for Baby Girl to say hello – we can share birthdays January 8 since she didn’t want the 1st
Another though just popped into my head. Maybe in the future you might want to add an area where you can get your water source from? I know you have some outside, but if you had an indoor spot where you can scrub out your pots other than your kitchen it might be nice. No mess in the kitchen, access to warm water for your plants and for washing those pots out. I’m thinking just more convenient in the long run, hot and cold running water would be a dream, no more lugging water. Just a thought.💚🙃 I don’t know Oregon restrictions, but since it’s a grey water source you may not have to run the water into a septic system?💚🙃
You don’t have to worry about a little dirt/soil falling on the floor anymore. You can just sweep it up! Yay! Much easier to sweep than to pull out the vacuum cleaner in my opinion anyway. I have to watch this again because I missed you yesterday 🙁. It takes me awhile to think of things(old brain) but don’t they usually schedule c-sections? I’ve never had to have one and the babies I’ve had were all old school, no nothing, no pain relief what so ever. Makes you think twice about having more than one child for sure. Good luck and your going to love that studio, but I know you already do. You just have to tuck in a bassinet somewhere when the baby comes and your all set.Again good luck honey, can’t wait to meet baby girl💚🙃
Can you do a review of the houseplant seeds from Plantflix? I see a lot of the houseplant folks I follow here on YouTube recommend them, but would love to see what they can successfully grow from her seeds. Her blog is full of info about them. (She also does that thing where you can sell her seeds in your store).
Beautiful studio! Love the black shelves, very nice style. It would help to see better if Laura had a shit that wasn’t black in color. It was hard to see details when she was filling the trays and planting the seeds as it was black trays, black soil on the black background of the shirt. Hope it makes sense.
thank you laura hope your doing good…. im in northern maine and are currently getting a ft of snow… its our 2nd snow storm so far!!!!! normally it would be our 5 / 6 storm by now…. what a weird yr its been!!! anyways i would love to have a south facing green house./ porch like you do!!! im afraid the snow load would cave it in or break the glass;(;(;(;( cant have any plants inside.. my cat would eat them and yes hes in/ out cat…but would sooooo love to have the space you and arron do!!!! im a country girl at hrt….but i live in town on 1.4 acre and all my plowed snow goes into my whole back yrd;(;(;(;( so i cant even have a garden….or the plow truck would sink in the tilled dirt;(;(;(;( and i cant plant in the grd either… too many cats in the neighbor hood!!!! oh well.. i can dream at least… and enjoy your wonderful articles;););)
Does anyone know of good markers to use, plastic and what to use to Wright on them. I’ve used the plastic markers and wrote on them with sharpie, but that didn’t work at all. I grow so many varieties I need to mark them and the markers to last. I thought about making wood ones and putting a sealer on top of writing to see if they’d last thru summer.
I love perusal your articles but I struggle to understand why you still use peat based compost. Here in the UK the vast majority of TV gardeners are encouraging people to go peat free, given the acknowledged harm that peat extraction does to our environment. Is it because the company you partner with doesn’t have a peat free option?
I really wish more gardeners would do articles on starting seeds with OUT grow lights. Our ancestors did not have grow lights and yet they were still able to grow food for their families. Why not show people how to grow food for their families without spending extraneous money on unnecessary things. Times are hard for a lot of people right now. And some don’t have space for grow lights either.
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I LOVED the article, Lea!!! You are such a beautiful soul. I wanted to make similar notebook with each of the herb’s healing properties but I never found the time. Yours looks amazing! You are such a rolemodel for all of us ladies striving to be women of God. When I look back at everything you’ve created in your little house, in the garden, how much life you’ve brought there… I almost wanna cry because it’s so beautiful and all glory be to God!!! Thank you for being a faithful servant, dear Lea! ❤ Love from Czechia 🇨🇿
I LOVED the article, Lea!!! You are such a beautiful soul. I wanted to make similar notebook with each of the herb’s healing properties but I never found the time. Yours looks amazing! You are such a rolemodel for all of us ladies striving to be women of God. When I look back at everything you’ve created in your little house, in the garden, how much life you’ve brought there… I almost wanna cry because it’s so beautiful and all glory be to God!!! Thank you for being a faithful servant, dear Lea! Love from Czechia 🇨🇿
Trying herbs this year because of your recommendation. Tried starting them inside from seeds but our cats wouldn’t leave them alone, furry little destructive friends. So moved them to pots hanging from pallets. Cilantro is already coming up. Lots of rain right now in TN. Thanks for your encouragement!!!!!
Perennials: grow every year on their own as long as environment is nurturing Annuals: need to be replanted every year to grow. Some self-seed Suggestion: Pick 4-5 hardy perennial herbs, put in sunny spot with filtered light. Build your confidence then get more herbs! 😄 Recommendations: 1. Thyme: lasted through winter, can be used medicinally, as a tea, culinary herb 2. Oregano: different varieties. Lasted pretty well through winter. 3. Rosemary: culinary and medicinal 4 & 5. Mint & Lemon Balm: likes to take over an area, wonderful in drinks, food, medicinal benefits, just overall great herbs but they are territorial. They also help prevent pests! Very tolerant and easy to grow. Lemon balm was harvested in winter, dried and hung in window. Lemon balm tea is antiviral. Kinda-hardy – 1. Sage: great culinary herb 2. Parsley: curly parsley is more hardy than flat parsley 3. Chives: love. Culinary herb 4. Aloe: great for burns and all kinds of skin issues Summer herbs – less tolerant – 1. Basil: annual herb. with purple leaves is a little hardier. It needs to be catered to a little more than other herbs. Liked specific amount of water and specific type of soil 2. Cilantro: annual herb. May self seed? Tips: – within herbs, there’s multiple varieties. (E.g chocolate mint) – check your zone for outdoor growing – chickens love herbs – the top 5 recommendations are good for growing anywhere – get really good organic potting soil – if planting by seed, spray every day twice a day.
My son says you are awesome. He is going to be starting an herb garden in pots that we will transplant into the ground as soon as we get a big enough plant. We watched for training purposes. I am desperate to get mint, sweet mint, lemon balm, and mums established in my yard as we both suffer from severe allergies and he will get enormous welts off of mosquito bites. We tried and failed last year and weren’t going to do it this year, but then one of the lemon balm plants came back! And then some of the mint!!! So we are trying again with more plants and seeds. Thanks so much for the much needed advice and encouragement. God bless you and James.
Thank you!! Feeling a lot more confident. Last year I got a strawberry pant and it didn’t even survive the weekend. I live in an apartment so I’m a “patio gardener” (or at least trying to be). I just bought sweet mint, greek oregano, and lemon balm to plant in a railing planter. I’m nervous but also excited!
Thank you for sharing this article. It’s refreshing to see someone so young. That is living what I call the country life style. I miss living in the country. I had to move to the city due to my health. I am growing seedlings now. Some will be planted outside and some will be grown inside under grow lights. I remember wondering if I could grow a few things inside but let that thought go because I had not heard of a grow light and felt that with me having surgeries back to back that anything I planted would die. Then one day several months ago I came across a article on youtube that was about raised garden beds and container gardens. The containers the guy was using were milk crates. My jaw fell to the floor because I had been given 10 milk crates a few days before that. Needless that was all it took for me. So I got my winter garden plans made and seedlings almost ready to move outside to the crates. Meanwhile, because I am a prepped I decided that I wanted to learn about and grow herbs for cooking, and medicinal purposes as well. I bought a few seedlings and they were doing so great that I bought some seeds too. I am proud to say that my seeds are all sprouting and most have broken through the soil or are already a inch or 2 tall! But the seedlings aren’t doing as well. I bought a 4 shelf storage unit. I put one grow light on each shelf but I noticed my seedlings (lemon balm, spearmint, peppermint, and rosemary) as well as a strawberry seedling I bought at the same time a week or 2 ago are all losing leaves.
May God Bless you so Abundantly!! Thank you so much for this beautiful article full of both knowledge and God’s wisdom! I am starting my herbal gardening this year, so this was God’s perfect timing for me! Im beyond excited, words can’t even explain all the wonderful goodness that God placed in all these herbs. And anyone who reads this, God has His righteous and healing hand on you, and you found this for a good reason, let this bless your life in Jesus Name.
Thank you very much for your article was wonderful. We are currently micro green growers, we service, farmers market, and a few restaurants in the Apalachee mountains, of Northern Georgia .I am an active merchant Marine, getting ready to retire. As I retire, we want to expand our(my wife’s) homebase business. into herbs. Again, thank you wishing you the best for the coming new year. God bless stay safe.
So interesting! I have basil and rosemary growing and I’m in Florida. The basil is thriving and my rosemary sadly hasn’t seemed to grow very much at all. The bottom of the stems are wilted. My basil has doubled in sized though! Not sure what I’m doing. I wouldn’t say I have a green thumb haha. These are my first little plants. Definitely a confidence boost hearing about the basil!
Hello, I stumbled upon your website and your how to grow herb article and I am really enjoying the article. My question to you is concerning aloe plants. I tried growing a few different ones and they all have that really stinky smell to them with the yellow fluid what is it that I’m doing wrong thank you so much for your time and valuable information.
I have been trying to grow herbs for last few years in pots. Summer is good but as it start getting cold, I bring them inside but they start to wither and don’t come back. I have to buy every year a new one. So I understood basil and cilantro is annual, so ok for them to die but others should. Not sure what I am doing wrong. This year I have sunroom that I can house these herbs into. Do you have any tips to grow herb in sunroom? Should I keep them in sunroom even though it is nice outside, this way they don’t have to go through transition. Please share your thoughts.
I tried an herb garden a couple years ago. Started them from seeds, made a little greenhouse for them and they did amazing. As soon as they got big enough, I transplanted them to the outside garden. After a few days of being outside they died. What would I need to do so that won’t happen again. I live in Missouri in case that makes a difference.
I just moved to Florida. I am planning on putting flowerbeds in the backyard. I want to grow herbs and veggies. I believe the climate would be good for gardening. I was also thinking of covering the flowerbeds with a net of some sort. We have all kinds of bugs and little animals here. Any other suggestions? The article was educational. I just need More info on what type of soil I should buy.
Hello from Pontefract in the north of England the home of liquorice (licorice in the US) and Pontefract Cakes. We actually have an annual liquorice festival! Pontefract is also home to the longest horse race track in Europe and home to Pontefract Castle with a very rich medieval history the castle is over 940 years old. Great article, loved it thanks. I have 2 kitchen windows. The one that has the most sun Basil and Coriander (cilantro in the US) grew very well and seem to need the most water. Rosemary, Thyme and Parsley did better in the not so sunny window and needed less water. I never understand why Americans/Canadians often complain about cilantro it is amazing in a chicken tikka masala! Just subscribed. All the best.
when you read old books, I think of stories like Heidi, and they had goats. There was no options for “deworming” and other common practices that are so necessary today. But I wonder if there were naturally growing herbs that they would browse on and if that would provide both nutrient dense food as well as medicinal benefits that kept parasites and such at bay.
I just celebrated my 35th birthday 2 days ago. I’ve always wanted to have an herb garden and I was blessed with 4 herbs; peppermint, rosemary, oregano and basil (my favorite) Currently I have them all planted in their own planters on my patio as it’s May, but plan on bringing them all in for our cold Canadian winters. I have them all planted in veggie/herb soil right now. What’s a good way to hang dry herbs? I have a beautiful picture window in my. Living room (but very little windows in total in my small condo) They came pre-bloomed (if that makes sense) so can I start picking the herbs now for sauces (or trimming, whichever is better). I am a TOTAL novice at this but already dreaming of more herbs (chives, cilantro, lemon balm, and an aloe plant as well). My picture window is very cold in the winter and has electric heating underneath it, so I don’t like things being very close to that area and I have a very very tiny kitchen. What would you recommend in that situation? Thank you so much! I am super thrilled to begin.
Thank you so much for the information. I have lemon thyme and German time along with lemon balm chocolate mint and I have started peppermint and spearmint these things are just outside of my back door. I have a little garden space and I have started sunflower tomato onion different varieties of hot peppers cilantro parsley basil oregano and Stevia I’m trying all of these from seed. On a sidenote I started a couple of months ago to grow Moringa I have been buying this in powder form and mixing it as a T but I am looking forward to drying my own and using it in salads. I know this comment is quite long but I just want to add that I have a problem with growing things indoors because I usually get these little bugs most like a little natt I would like to know natural ways that you keep bugs and pests off of your indoor plants and if you have something you use for your outdoor plants that will be great also thank you for everything you guys do and for sharing your life with us I am truly blessed. May the creator of the heavens and the earth shine his face upon you and give you favor in everything you set your hands to do in Jesus mighty name amen one other side note I always pray over my plants and the things I have planted and God has been faithful.🙏🏽🙏🏽🙏🏽🙏🏽🙏🏽🙏🏽
What herbs do you recommend? I love thyme, rosemary, oregano, lemon balm, parsley, spearmint, sage, raspberry leaf, oatstraw, yarrow and slippery elm. I can only use herbs gentle to the stomaches lol 😂 Also, playing to grow outdoors, the cat won’t let me have any plants in the house without a hassle lol
Hi, very helpful article! Thanks! After some research I have a few questions. I’m in zone 8, and will be starting with chives, rosemary, lavender and mint. If i’m not mistaking these all thrive in full sun, well drained soil, and not much or no fertilizer. But what i’m having a hard time finding is how often to water them? I’ll be starting them outdoors in containers Lord willing. Do you have any recommendations for which containers and how often am I suppose to water my herbs? One resource said once or twice a day, another one said once or twice a week. Does it matter what soil they need? The perennial herbs im starting with and do they need sand? From my research they don’t really need sand and the soil doesn’t too much matter since i’m starting in containers and not in the ground.
Hi I watch your. article, I, love the way you talk about the plant..But can you help me,I’m growing herbs in a pot in the house this year because I live in a apartment,and can’t have,them out side..But my sage look,like the leave is draping down,I have a grow light on them,do I need to spray any water on the leaves to damper them.please help me
Well done article, and it gave m Ed some good info… but it wasn’t exactly wgat I was looking for. I feel like based on the title it tealkef too much about WHY I should grow herbs, and how you can use them, but not enough about HOW to grow them. I want to know more about pot size, germination, soil composition (and if you can use LECA), sun and heat required for each herb, and different growing conditions (indoor v outdoor) which you covered a little, but not enough. The part about which herbs are the hardiest was very useful, but not quite a “beginner’s guide.”
Basil loves lots of sun, and loves a quite sandy soil. I live in Western Australia where we have an abundance of both, so Basil always grows really easily for me. Also, can you put links to where you get your head coverings from? I know you said you get some from Garlands of Grace, but I can never find the ones you wear. Loving your website 🙂
We are building our first coop for chickens. We are building it log cabin style from logs we took off of our own land 😀 I was wondering how your first coop as held up? and if you have had to adjust anything as your flock has grown. also, have you dealt with broody hens? or had any try to hatch eggs? Have you tackled incubating eggs? Just wondering from a soon to be new chicken mama!
Hello this is my first visit to your website. Thank you for all that hearty information. I am planting to plant my first herb garden; thyme, oregano rosemary & mint. I bought a planter box for my other plants and planned to buy a smaller one for the herbs I mentioned, question – is it safe to plant the mint with the thyme oregano and rosemary? I asked, because I read the mint tends to get out of hand and spread a great deal. hahaha
Thank you so much for this article 🙏❤️ I am planning to start planting herbs and whatever I can on my sailboat I live on depending how much space I need to grow crops. Your article is a good strating point for me, and the passion you explain everything makes me realize you really do k ow what you are talking about 💪 new subscriber thank you 🙏⚓❤️⛵
We just bought a house and about to move in and I all ways want to start a herb garden. I’m planning on doing a small little garden outside in garden pots. I live in Lousiana and I’m worried about what herb can tolerate this climate. I love basile, oregano, thyme, lemon balm and parsley. Help . . .any information will be great. . .god bless
I have grown herbs before and have had success outside …zone 4 (4600 ft) . My mint is incredible for keeping ants out of my house. However, my cilantro is not tolerant of summer heat. This year I want to have an herb garden in the mountains…..(8600 ft). My windows have no sun. My deck does. Can I grow mint outside in the shade? I have quite a battle with ants on my logs.
What an awesome article full of info and joyful! Like you I love herbs and I’m experimenting with more. I have 2 rosemary plants that grew huge. I noticed your sage and I think it is easy to grow and I love it’s aroma, probably my favorite besides oregano. Your chickens (and eggs) look very healthy. Thanks so much for sharing!
How fast does each grow? And what if I want to control how much I grow? Like say I don’t want too much basil (a handful is good), but want lots of parsley and cilantro (in bunches like they come at the grocery stores)? Any advice is greatly appreciated! Newbie at gardening but I really want to grow my own herbs!!
Really enjoyed your article I am house bound and I’ve thought about growing some herbs to pass my time to have a feeling of achievement to close my eyes and pretend I’m outside I lived in the east Midlands of the uk I would like to order some pot herbs from asda and I’d like to know what compost to use thankyou
This is a very helpful article, thank you! I’m going to try my hand at a medicinal herb garden this year 😄 I was starting to feel super overwhelmed about it actually, and then ABBA showed me 2 Kings 4:42-44. I studied it out a little further and I never realized before just how many examples we have in the bible of food being multiplied! Yah will use what we have and all we need to do is start. 💛
I recently started with a mint who seems to be thriving and a tomato plant. I don’t have any outside space so my window has to do 🙂 I like to try oregano and lemonbalm too! So question, if u make tea of these things, do u dry it in the window and grind it? Or use the fresh leaves? For mint I always use fresh leaves, but I was wondering how this works with the lemonbalm and other ones
I love in Los Angeles and some of my seeds that I bought didn’t grow… I bought miracle frow soil . One question in have, can they grow in full sun? Or does it have ti be filter sun?. I am currently growing hardy herbs,but also cilantro, basil, chives,lemon balm .. the other seeds didn’t grow and some of my herbs like cilantro are dying. They are outside in full sun
What a great article! It made me checkout your website and subscribe! I have been working with dry botanicals for healing and spiritual practices for well over 30 years, but have never had the opportunity to plant anything but lowlight indoor plants in the apartments I lived in. I recently moved home to care for my aging mom and turned a small room into my Apothecary but also purchased grow lights to give a proper indoor herbal garden a try. Sadly spider mites put an end to the first test run, but I am definitely not giving up!
Easier can go. Thyme Oregano Rosemary Mint Lemon balm -tea Coriander —- Sage Curly parsley Chives- Alo Vera —— Less tolerant Basil with purple leaves -like a very particular amount of water Cilantro- —— If you are planting them from seed Water once every day Once they are grown Push a little finger in soil two inch,if it feels dry then water in it .
I loved this article, but I think the term “princess herb” is an understatement when it comes to cilantro 🤣 Gawddd forbid you move it 3 centimeters, it will droop like a moody teenager and stay mad at you for a month… Then suddenly it just decides to perk up again for a bit until it is even the slightest bit dissatisfied with any minor environmental change. I love my other herb babies, but I think I’m just going to buy cilantro at the store from now on.
I am in centeral Te I am in Central Texas it is the end of January I am in the hospital right now but in a few weeks so I’m gonna be home and I’m planning to try to start growing herbs maybe in some parts in the window sales until late March early April and then try maybe to put them outsideAny help in this project would certainly be appreciated my name is Glenda Jones I’m from Clifton Texas thank you that into three weeks you might can help me with this please have a blessed winter thank you very muchl
You had me until you started mentioning religion etc… I’m sure you have wonderful skills and I’m so eager to learn. Why not just make this article about herbs like the title suggests? Now I will doubt anything on your website because when I’m handling stuff like plants or biology in general I look towards the actual science behind it… Anyway I’m not one to judge, keep on making your content and I wish you the best of luck!