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How to Grow Herbs & Thin Seedlings

Contributor
By Jenny Harrington
eHow Contributing Writer
(0 Ratings)

Starting your own herbs from seed gives you a larger choice in plants and is cheaper than purchasing seedlings, whether you will be transplanting them outside or growing them in containers on your kitchen window sill. Most herb plants easily germinate inside and grow into healthy plants that provide a good harvest for the personal kitchen. Thinning out the weaker seedlings and keeping the strongest ones ensure you will have the best plants to grow in your herb garden.

Difficulty: Easy
Instructions
  1. Step 1

    Fill seedling pots with a sterilized potting soil. Combine 1 part peat moss, 1 part sterilized compost and 1 part vermiculite to create your own potting soil.

  2. Step 2

    Sow three seeds per pot. Plant medium and large seeds to a depth twice their width. Sow small seeds directly on the soil surface, then cover with a 1/8-inch layer of vermiculite.

  3. Step 3

    Water the soil, taking care not to wash out the seeds, until it is evenly moist throughout. Cover the pots in plastic wrap to preserve the moisture.

  4. Step 4

    Place pots in a 60 degrees F room to germinate, approximately seven to 14 days for most types. Remove plastic wrap and relocate to a sunny window sill once sprouts appear.

  5. Step 5

    Water pots enough to keep the soil moist but not soggy. Rotate the pots in the window so all the plants gain access to equal sunlight.

  6. Step 6

    Thin seedlings once they form their second set of leaves. Choose the strongest- and healthiest-appearing plant to remain. Cut off the weaker plants at the soil surface using small scissors, taking care not to damage the remaining seedlings.

  7. Step 7

    Transplant outside once all danger of frost has passed. Transplant to a permanent 8- to 12-inch individual pot once they develop their third set of leaves.

Tips & Warnings
  • Use seed starting flats instead of pots if you will be growing many herb plants of the same variety.
  • Label seed pots with the herb inside, as most young seedlings look alike.
  • "Damping off" is a fungal disease that kills seedlings. Dispose of any affected seedlings and the potting soil they were in to prevent the spread. Provide enough water and light to prevent it in healthy seedlings.

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