Growing Herbs from Seeds (part 1)

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I hope you enjoy part 1 of Growing Herbs from Seeds!

Mary's Heirloom Seeds Newsletter Growing Herbs from Seed HUGE SALE!!! The Overstocked Heirloom Seed Sale ends July 15 at midnight! Don't miss these HUGE savings on heirloom, open-pollinated, organic seed varieties   Have you seen the DIY Tincture Kits? We now offer   Pick-UP options   for seed orders. Call (954) 654-3501  or email  for more information or to place an order. ALL Seed orders placed Monday-Friday are shipped within   24 hours, except for holidays. Helpful Links: What is a Tincture? Feverfew Calendula Dear Mary, How is your garden growing?  I know I've shared links for growing many varieties of veggies but herbs are some of my favorites (especially the easy ones).  Many varieties take up very little room and require minimal attention to flourish. Growing Basil from Seed   Sow seeds outdoors when soil is warm and temperature does not drop below 65°F. Basil can also be started indoors 4-6 weeks before planting out. Seeds usually germinate within 7 days of planting.   Seedlings need 6-8 hours of sunlight .  Basil can be grown indoors on a nice sunny ledge or windowsill or outdoors in a sunny spot.   Make successive plantings for continuous summer supplies. Pinch back flower stalks as they appear to keep plants from bolting.  Basil prefers rich well-drained soil. Growing Dill from Seed Dill is a very easy herb to grow and can be grown indoors or outdoors.    Dill enjoys full sun, and flourishes in average to fertile soil with good drainage.Sun can damage dill if it has too much of it. However, you will want sun shining on it at least six hours a day. If you have some moisture in the air this is great. But if you struggle with moisture in the air you will want to mist your dill plant from time to time.    To plant dill, place seeds over loose soil and cover about a half inch deep.  Keep soil moist but not water-logged. Growing Lavender from Seed Lavender can be grown from seed or from cuttings.  Lavender can be difficult growing from seed but not impossible. Make sure that you plant lavender in warm weather. It should be in the late spring or Early summer. Lavender needs lots of sunshine. Make sure that it will not be in a great deal of shade." Soil is very important.  Drainage is important and should include loose compost.  Lavender can be grown both in the ground as well as in containers.  The larger the container, the larger the plant may grow. Growing Tarragon from Seed Sow four or five seeds per pot in moist potting soil.   Cover them with compost or soil to exclude light. Keep them indoors at room temperature.  Planting in Peat Pellets will make transplanting simple and ensure the roots are not disturbed. When the seedlings begin to show, move them outside, out of direct sunlight. Thin them to one seedling per pot. They are ready for planting in their final position outside when the seedlings are 4 inches high. Tarragon can be grown in containers for two or three years with no special care.  They can also be over-wintered indoors if you have a sunny windowsill. Tarragon prefers well-drained soil which is not too high in nutrients. It will do equally well in full sun or partial shade.  When Transplanting: dig the soil well before planting and add a handful of bonemeal per square yard at the same time. If the soil is not well-drained dig in as much well-rotted organic material as possible to open up the soil - I use rotted leaves. Choose a position where they can remain undisturbed for two or three years. You may not think that Tarragon is not a very pretty plant (depending on who you ask), so consider this when choosing a position. Mulching with organic matter in October will help them over winter if your area has particularly harsh winter weather.    That's all for now but there is more to come!!! Do you have room for more herbs in the garden?   Sincerely,                                      Mary Mary's Heirloom Seeds  The doctor of the future will give no medicine, but will interest her or his patients in the care of the human frame, in a proper diet, and in the cause and prevention of disease. Thomas A. Edison   "The garden suggests there might be a place where we can meet nature halfway." Michael Pollan

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