Things You'll Need:
- Seeds
- Potting mix or peat pellets
- Indoor greenhouse or plastic container with lid
- Pencil or chopstick
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Step 1
Chose which herbs to grow. Some varieties are perfect for indoor growing, while some need to be grown outdoors. Consider the light in your garden or window area so you can chose a variety that will thrive in your particular growing conditions. Think about how you will use the herbs to help you chose varieties to plant (see Resources).
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Step 2
Prepare your mini greenhouse. If you are using a commercial seed starting greenhouse, rinse it with warm water to remove shipping or packing dust. If you are using recycled food containers with plastic lids, clean them thoroughly, making sure no food residue remains. Poke holes in the top of the lid to allow air flow (see Resources).
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Step 3
Fill your greenhouse with moist potting mix or peat pellets. Peat pellets are individual discs that expand when you moisten them. Either works fine for this project. Consider an organic potting mix if you are using organic seeds. You can also buy small, individual pots to plant seeds in. This helps with watering and with transplanting.
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Step 4
Read the instructions on your seed packets to determine seed sowing depth. Some seeds only need placed on the surface of the soil while others need sown at varying depths.
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Step 5
If you are using a container with soil in the bottom, take a pencil and poke a small hole the depth of your seed-sowing instructions about every 1 inch. Place two or three of each seed in the hole you created and lightly cover with soil unless the seed directions specify to place them directly on top of the soil, uncovered. Repeat the same process if you are using individual pots. If using peat pellets, simply drop two or three seeds in the hole in the top of the pellet.
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Step 6
Water your seeds. You want the soil to stay moist but not wet so bottom watering is best for this. Pouring water on top of the soil can dislodge seeds or new seedlings. If your container does not have holes in the bottom for watering, make some or use a mister to gently water your seeds. If your container has holes in the bottom, fill a tray or sink with water and let your container soak in it for a few moments until the soil on top starts to look moist. Peat pellets only need to have water added to the container they are in; they will absorb it. Drain off any water not absorbed in a few minutes.
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Step 7
Place your mini greenhouse in a warm place, like in front of a window or on top of the refrigerator. In a few days you should see your herb seeds beginning to grow. Once they are a few inches tall and have developed real leaves, they can be transplanted to pots in your kitchen or to your outdoor herb garden. If planting them outside, transition them to the outdoor climate by "hardening off." This means exposing them to the outdoors gradually before planting them in the ground. Take your greenhouse outdoors during the day and bring in at night for a few days. Then leave the plants outside all day and overnight for a few days. Then plant.
