Growing Herbs from Seed
Growing Herbs from Seed
Even if you have the smallest space, pots on a windowsill or out on a balcony you can grow herbs. These are often expensive in the supermarket although they can be grown repeatedly for just a few pence worth of seeds. Outside in the garden these tasty plants can add colour and fragrance while attracting pollinators and beneficial insects.
Certain herbs are better adapted to grow during the heat of summer than others. These can either be sown in open ground or containers; basil. dill, oregano, mint, rosemary, sage, and thyme. Others are biennial and will put on growth this year, overwinter and flower next year to set seed such as parsley, chervil, (both usually grown as annual) and more unusual caraway, angelica and clary sage. Popular perennial herbs include sage, thyme, rosemary, winter savory and lovage,
Here are some brief notes on growing different varieties; flavours, longevity and preferred situation.
Basil is an annual that comes in a range of colours and flavours with ruffled leaves or flat, fine-textured or larger leafed. In addition to the traditional Italian basil flavour, there is lemon basil, lime basil, cinnamon basil and Thai basil, which has a spicy, anise-clove flavour. Depending on the variety chosen, most basil seed germinate in 5 to 10 days and is ready to harvest in 60 to 80 days. Basil is quite sensitive to cold and frost. Plant basil in full sun and well-drained soil in beds or containers.
Chervil is a biennial grown as an annual for its mild aniseed flavoured leaves. Best in a cool shady position, seedlings can take up to three weeks to appear. Ready about 9 weeks after sowing, cut repeatedly to encourage new leaves, and use fresh as required through summer.
Coriander is an annual grown for its leaves and seeds. Seeds can be sown outdoors from spring to autumn, in a sunny or lightly shaded spot. Germination takes from one to three weeks. Leafy varieties include Leisure, Confetti and Topf for containers. If growing coriander for the seeds, choose a suitable variety (such as Mammoth) to sow in full sun in spring or early summer to ensure the seeds ripen, and thin out the seedlings to give plants space to mature.
Dill, both the foliage and seed are used for flavouring foods. Dill seed germinates in about 10-14 days, it does not transplant well, so it is best to sow the seed where you want it to grow. Dill can be harvested for foliage in 40-55 days and dill seed takes about 85-100 days, depending on the variety chosen. Dill will grow in most soils but prefers a sunny spot in well- drained fertile soil.
Fenugreek is a versatile plant from the legume family with aromatic leaves and pungent seeds. Mostly grown as sprouting seeds or as green manure, It does not like to be transplanted, so should be sown directly into a well-drained sunny spot, germinating within a week.
Oregano is a perennial herb with aromatic foliage often used dried rather than fresh in strongly flavoured dishes. Native to hot arid regions it likes sunny locations. A good companion plant repelling insect pests that commonly affect beans and broccoli.
Grown for its foliage, Parsley is a biennial, it will flower and set seed the second year. Flat leaf or curly, flat leaf varieties are said to have better flavour, but curly is more decorative as a garnish. Parsley seed has a reputation for being difficult to germinate, taking 14-30 days to germinate and 75 days to harvest. Soaking seeds overnight in water is reported to help.
Sage is a shrubby perennial plant. Its seed germinates in 7 to 21 days and about 80-90 days to harvest. Sage will grow in partial shade but prefers full sun. Cut back plants in spring to rejuvenate and replace when the plants become too scraggly.
Summer) Savory is a flavoursome half-hardy annual, traditionally grown and eaten with beans. Sow thinly onto the surface of pots of damp compost. Do not cover. Germination takes 14-21 days
Rosemary is a perennial evergreen shrub, native to the Mediterranean that can be difficult to grow from seed. Patience is required as germination can be low and erratic, sometimes taking 2-3 months to appear. Once started it grows best in full sun and well-drained soils.
Thyme is an aromatic evergreen perennial plant. Germination can be tardy taking up to 28 days, slow growing so about 80-90 days to harvest. Thyme is a sun lover and hates soggy feet, so plant in full sun in well-draining soil.
