Starting Herbs from Seed Checklist

Choose herbs for the space you have

Starting herbs from seed works best when the final growing place is planned first. Decide what you cook with, how much room the plants need and whether they will stay indoors. A sunny balcony, a shaded ledge and a kitchen with a grow light are different places to grow.

Basil, parsley and sage can be started indoors. Cilantro and dill are often better sown where they will grow because they do not move well. Follow the packet for the variety in your hand. Maryland Extension's herb guide covers these choices and the need for drainage.

Keep mint in its own container when you want to control its spread. Do not force herbs with different water needs into one pot just because they are used in the same recipe. Iowa State's herb reference explains growing and harvesting choices.

Sow herb seeds in a small, labeled batch

1. Gather the supplies. Use clean trays or pots with drain holes, a seed-starting mix, labels and a gentle way to add water. A tray under the pots catches drips; empty standing water.
2. Moisten the mix. Mix water through it before filling the tray. Aim for damp rather than dripping. Use a seed-starting mix in cells rather than dense garden soil.
3. Label before sowing. Write the herb, variety and date on each label. Keep the packet so you can check its needs and expected sprouting time.
4. Sow at the right depth. Follow the packet. Fine seeds may need very little cover, and some need light. One depth or one number of seeds does not suit every herb.
5. Water gently. Avoid washing seeds out of place. Keep the mix moist while seeds sprout. If you use a clear cover to hold moisture, watch for excess wetness and remove it when seedlings emerge.

Illinois Extension's seed-starting instructions explain moistening the mix, labels and covered trays. Its seasonal dates are for Illinois. Use your own local frost dates and the seed packet when choosing when to sow.

Give herb seedlings light and space

Once shoots appear, focus on light, water and room for roots. Long, weak stems leaning toward a window can signal too little light. If you use a grow light, follow its safe spacing instructions and adjust it as the plants grow. Avoid keeping seedlings hot under a cover.

Thin a crowded sowing so the remaining plants have room. When moving seedlings, handle them gently and protect the growing point. Keep the mix moist enough for the roots without leaving pots in standing water. The Minnesota seed-starting guide covers thinning and moving young plants.

Our true-leaf reference helps you tell the first seed leaves from later leaves. Leaf stage is one clue, not a set date to move every herb. Look at the roots, plant size and growing conditions too.

Move the plants when conditions fit

Plants raised indoors need a gradual move to outdoor sun and wind. Start with sheltered conditions and increase exposure rather than moving a soft seedling straight into a hot afternoon. Check the forecast and the herb's cold tolerance. Basil needs warmer conditions than hardy herbs.