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HERBS TO GROW FROM SEED
BASIL, SWEET (Ocimum basilicum) Both green and 'Dark Opal' basil are
attractive plants for the garden. I prefer to plant the seed where it
is to grow directly to -the garden in mid-May. Germination usually
occurs in 7 to 10 days. Basil is not difficult to transplant. Grows to
18 inches; space 12 inches between plants. 'Dark Opal' has beautiful
deep red foliage and lovely pink flowers and is excellent to use along
a walk or as a solid bed for decoration in the garden. Basil is very
good to use to flavor tomato juice and tomato pastes.
BORAGE (Borago officinalis) This has pinkish blossoms which turn blue
like the perennial pulmonaria. It is an annual and should be planted
directly to the garden in early May in the North. Growing to 2 feet it
should be spaced 10 inches apart. Germinates in 7 -to 10 days. Resents
transplanting except when quite small. It is excellent used in tossed
salad to add a most elusive flavor.
CHERVIL (Anthriscus cerefolium) Although this plant will germinate in
the fall and live over the winter I would advise the inexperienced
gardener to grow it as an annual, sowing the seed to the garden in
mid-May (in this area). Grows to 2 feet and should be spaced 8 inches
apart. Grows quickly and is mature in 6 weeks. Resents transplanting.
Fresh leaves can be frozen in small packets after washing carefully.
Excellent to flavor egg dishes.
CHIVES (Allium scboenoprasum) This is a perennial plant growing from
bulblets. They are really very easy to grow from seed. Mine, started
under the fluorescent lights as well as in the greenhouse in the
spring germinated in 10 days. The tiny little plants look like fragile
spears of grass. When transplanted they wilt slightly. Even during a
continued drought they grow very well. Mature plants grow to 12,
inches; space 6 inches apart. They are very hardy even in cold
locations. Flowers are pretty enough so that chives can be grown as a
border or in the rock garden. Fine in salads, egg dishes and sauces of
all kinds. Potted up, chives will grow on a sunny windowsill in winter.
DILL (Anethum graveolens) This is an easily grown annual with feathery
foliage. Blossoms are tiny and pale yellow. Grows to 21/2 feet in my
garden and germinates in 7 to 10 days planted at the same time as
tender vegetables. Resents transplanting. May be spaced as close as 4
inches apart. Self-sows readily. Fine for use in pickling and to
flavor meats.
LAVENDER (Lavandula). I have had excellent success with germinating
seeds of lavender giving a four-week pre-chilling period in the
coldframe before bringing into the greenhouse with germination in 14
days. This year sown under the lights the seeds germinated in 15 days
with no pre-chilling period. This is a hardy perennial with gray
foliage and spikes of fragrant lavender flowers, which when dried are
used to perfume the linen chest and for sachets. Dry easily when hung
free in a dry garage or attic.
MARJORAM, SWEET (Majorana hortensis) This is a perennial in frost-free
sections of the South but is grown as a hardy annual in the North. Sow
seed indoors with germination in 7 to 10 days. Grows to 12 inches;
space 6 inches apart. Plants may be potted up and grown in the
greenhouse or sunny window over -the winter. Adds a delicate flavor to
lamb, fish, salads and soups.
MINT (Mentha spicata) This mint is very easy to grow. It is a hardy
perennial and spreads by root stolons. Sown indoors seed germinates in
10 to 15 days. It grows to 2 feet and is rather sprawling, in habit.
Space 12 inches apart. Is at its best in good rich soil. Fine to use
for mint jelly and in mint juleps, lemonade and other fruit drinks.
SAGE (Saivia officinalis) This is a hardy perennial in our location
and is often grown in gardens for its pretty foliage and spikes of
bluish flowers. Seed sown indoors germinates in 14 days. Grows to 2
feet and should be spaced 12 inches apart. Can be sown outdoors in May
with germination in 21 to 30 days. Fine herb for dressings for
chicken, turkey, pork and for flavoring sausages.
SAVORY, SUMMER (Satureja bortensis) This is an easily grown annual
being best planted in mid-May in our location directly to the garden
where it is to grow with germination in 7 to 10 days. Grows to 12
inches tall; space 5 or 6 inches apart. Good to flavor fish dishes,
beans and soups.
SESAME (Sesamum orientale) This herb has whitish colored leaves and
pretty pink flowers. Needs warmth for germination and should not be
planted into the garden until -the soil and air are very warm; about
70 degrees. This would be in late May in our location. Germination
will take place in 3 to 7 days. Although they grow 21/2 to 3 feet they
need but 9 or 10 inches between plants as they do not branch. Seeds
are used to flavor breads, crackers and cookies.
THYME (Thymus vulgaris) This is a hardy perennial being of somewhat
shrubby growth. Leaves are cut for drying before the blossoms are
open. It is easily grown from seed sown indoors with germination in 21
to 30 days. Grows slowly when young. Grows to 12. inches; space 8
inches apart. It needs rich soil. Thyme is used for flavoring soups
and poultry dressing.
Source Unknown
God made rainy days so gardeners could get the housework done. ~Author Unknown
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Plant asparagus in full sun on well-drained soil. In a one-foot deep trench, plant crowns every 1-2 feet on small soil mounds. Cover the crowns and as the spears begin to grow.
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