Herbs 101: Starting From Seed

Starting herbs from seed costs less than buying grown plants, and with a bit of technique, it's a genuinely reliable way to build a bigger herb garden.

Starting Annuals Indoors

Sow annual herb seeds in tray-style containers, spacing them out in rows and covering them only partially before watering lightly. Placing the tray in a plastic bag and setting it somewhere with bright but indirect light raises humidity and speeds germination — seedlings typically appear in two to three weeks. Handle young seedlings gently, since their leaves are still brittle; give each one its own pot at first, and only combine several herbs into one larger pot once they've grown to about seven inches from root to tip. Annuals hold moisture well, so daily watering usually isn't necessary — though a light mulch helps in summer heat.

Spacing and Protecting Perennials

Perennial herbs need real room — their roots spread widely as they mature, so give each plant at least a foot of space, or group three of the same kind per hole spaced three inches apart if you prefer a fuller look from the start. Water immediately after planting, ideally in the early morning. Even sturdy perennial herbs benefit from protective covering in extreme weather — wide-rimmed pots, poultry wire stretched over the bed, or plastic wrap layered over crossed wire loops all help shield roots and leaves through a hard freeze.