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Sowing herbs for a first timer

amberspyamberspy Posts: 382
in Fruit & veg
My seeds came this morning 
the plan is grow herbs on the patio 
I thought the seeds would be in original packet like you see in garden centre 
but mines came in silver foil packet 
there’s a average 250 seeds in the packet 
being a newbie how many seeds to I actually use 🙈🙈
I take it I can directly sow in pots in garden and have do on windowsill first 
herbs I’m going to try to grow 
mint
basil 
coriander 
chives

Posts

  • BobTheGardenerBobTheGardener Posts: 11,385
    I would try sowing the seeds so that there is no less than 0.5cm (1/4") between them if you can (always tricky with tiny seeds so don't worry too much as you can thin them later.)  Keep the rest of the seed so you can make several more sowings later if they fail or to extend the season.  Basil needs a fair bit of warmth to germinate so definitely needs an indoor windowsill, so I'd start them all off like that.
    A trowel in the hand is worth a thousand lost under a bush.
  • amberspyamberspy Posts: 382
    BobTheGardener said:
    I would try sowing the seeds so that there is no less than 0.5cm (1/4") between them if you can (always tricky with tiny seeds so don't worry too much as you can thin them later.)  Keep the rest of the seed so you can make several more sowings later if they fail or to extend the season.  Basil needs a fair bit of warmth to germinate so definitely needs an indoor windowsill, so I'd start them all off like that.
    Thanks bob I do that 
    how long before I can plant out if they work 
  • UpNorthUpNorth Posts: 376
    coriander tend to bolt ( go to seed) really quickly, which you don't want them to do.  i think i've read that you put them into more shade when they're growing, so they don't bolt so quickly.
  • vanessajanenorrisvanessajanenorris Posts: 20
     Basil is very slow growing.  If you’re impatient like me, you could try propagating new plants from a supermarket bought plant. Also works with mint.  Good luck!  https://www.hayesgardenworld.co.uk/blog/how-take-cuttings-basil
  • amberspyamberspy Posts: 382
    vanessajanenorris said:
     Basil is very slow growing.  If you’re impatient like me, you could try propagating new plants from a supermarket bought plant. Also works with mint.  Good luck!  https://www.hayesgardenworld.co.uk/blog/how-take-cuttings-basil
    I’ve actually a shop brought basil I got from the supermarket couple of weeks ago and it’s double in size 
    I will try seeds first as my daughter wants to help but this will definitely be my back up plan 
    can’t wait to get started 
  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    Basil's quite easy from seed - warmth and light as @BobTheGardener says, and kept indoors. I think you're up here in Scotland aren't you @amberspy?
    It won't really do outdoors, but you can put it in a greenhouse if you have one, a bit later on. It can go outdoors for a little while in summer on warm days, but I never leave mine out. 
    I do mine in small pots, then I split the plants and replant a clump in it's own pot to grow own. We use quite a lot, so successive sowings are necessary. 
    The supermarket pots are exactly that - lots of plants in a single pot, so you can divide that into two or three clumps depending on the size  :)

    Chives and Coriander are fine outdoors once they're big enough, and chives will grow almost anywhere, including shade. You can then divide clumps once they get established.
    Mint can be a thug, so don't plant in with anything else - keep it in it's own pot  :)
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • amberspyamberspy Posts: 382
    @Fairygirl yeah up in Bonnie Scotland in the capital 👍
    unfortunately not got greenhouse as no room as ours isn’t a massive garden but who really love one 
    I give seeds a go first as they arrived the other day so a shame to waste them 
    took your advice on another post I have and got 2 cream delight plants ordered and a bonus I got from local garden nursery which is open for delivery so not have wait long for them 


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