Exactly.
There's absolutely no reason to wait.
In fact, many plants, such as tomatoes, peppers, cucumbers, and onions need to be started indoors or bought as already-germinated-and-half-grown plants in the spring. Can you guess my plans?
While at our local home improvement store on the weekend, we picked up a whole whack of seeds and some peat pots to get me started. The veggies I've set aside to plant in a week or so. The herbs I picked up on the other hand... They went right into their little pots, the lid of the seed starting kit went on, and they found a place to live, being moved from the kitchen table to the counter top, to the side table by the Ikea chairs, anywhere they would be out of the way but out of direct sunlight - for now.
I have 10 pots of each of these herbs. Most will, eventually, find their way into our garden or an herb pot outside. But a couple of each of these plants will go into pretty little pots to live in my kitchen window. I don't have much experience cooking with fresh herbs, I'll admit, but even if I never use them, at least they'll brighten up my kitchen with their fragrant green leaves. At least they'll inspire, in their own gentle way.
Oh I agree, they will be a truly lovely addition to your kitchen regardless... but how fun to learn to cook with live herbs!
ReplyDeletehave you ever germinated the herb seeds first? I'm thinking about trying that this year instead of straight seeds into pot b/c 1/2 my herbs wouldn't grow from seeds for some weird reason! I had to go buy seedlings when I realized they were duds!
ReplyDeletehooray for gardening! =)
Thanks Amy! Perhaps, once they grow to usability, I'll have to start a 'cooking with fresh herbs' series?
ReplyDeleteTechnically, that might be what I did? (Or I'm revealing my lack of knowledge about this...) I actually bought a seed starting kit by Jiffy which included the seeds, little peat pots, the germinating tray and lid, and the potting soil. I planted them in the pots and the lid creates a bit of a greenhouse for them to germinate in. Once they germinate, I'll move them from the peat pots into pretty little pots or the soil.
ReplyDeleteOh, do you mean those little sprouting contraptions? I've never tried them, but I'm sure they work!
Full disclosure: the thyme and the basil have already sprouted, 2 days before the packet said they would, so the little mini greenhouse thing seems to work!
Thanks for dropping by the blog! :)
ooh what brand? and where did you get them at? i want to try!!! I usually germinate in a paper towel put into a plastic bag and placed on the windowsill -- it works.... but sometimes it gets moldy. lol
ReplyDeleteJenn, if you ever have trouble starting your seeds a quick trick is to soak some paper towel with water, fold the seeds between it and place in a shallow bowl or dish in a warm place for 24-48 hours (make sure the spot isn't too hot, or that the paper gets dried out).
ReplyDeleteAfter the 24-48 hours, you should be able to see the seeds cracking & little tail-like sprouts popping out of those that aren't duds. :)
I love starting seeds early, it helps with not only the short growing season but if you time it right you can plant your second crop by mid June (and a third in early August). I'm just getting ready to plant my tomatoes & asparagus. :)
ReplyDeleteIf you're new to gardening you should check out Wikipedia's Companion Planting guide, there are some really helpful tips that can make your garden more successful & produce more veggies.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_companion_plants
this might be helpful too, depending on what you choose to grow this season
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Three_Sisters_%28agriculture%29
ok that might prevent the plastic bag molding issue! perfection! <3 thanks schnookums! getting started this week!
ReplyDeleteI looove your dishes :o) Our planting season here officially starts mid-March (last frost date) but I kick-start everything indoors. Right now I'm wrestling the Morning Glories; they are itching to get outside as bad as I am *L*
ReplyDeleteSpring is definitely in the air. I love your plates! My husband and I received one set of China's similar to these ones during our wedding. Its all on display in our kitchen at Midtown on Main.
ReplyDeleteThanks! They're from my mom's old tea cup collection. She still has a bunch, but she gave me a few when I was in university. I'm on the hunt for more at every thrift store and garage sale I come across!
ReplyDeleteOoh, Morning Glories! Do they grow well inside? They might be perfect as an addition to my kitchen window, or perhaps the living room window?
ReplyDeleteThanks for the resources Martina! I'll admit, all the the grow-this-with-this-but-not-with-this thing is a little confusing, but will definitely be useful.
ReplyDeleteI got the kit at Home Depot. I think the brand is Jiffy and the seeds inside are MacKenzie seeds. Hope that helps!
ReplyDelete(As of tonight, the oregano is also up and the cilantro has just one sprout peaking through the soil. Just the parsley hasn't shown itself!)
Martina, do you then just plant the sprouted seed as you would an unsprouted seed? Thanks for the tip!
ReplyDeleteHi Nette,
ReplyDeleteI'm curious to see how this works out for you. I tried to start some flowers from seeds last spring and none of them worked. So disappointing! Also, I wanted to let you know I have passed along a Liebster Award to you. Love your blog!
Cheers!
Keira
http://bennetthousediary.blogspot.com/
I think they grow -too- well indoors *LOL* They might take over your house before you know it :o)
ReplyDeleteI haven't cooked at all with my little herbies but I love looking at them. Little tea cups would be cute with herbs in them!
ReplyDeleteThis is my first time i visit here. I found so many entertaining stuff in your blog, especially its discussion. From the tons of comments on your articles,
ReplyDeleteI guess I am not the only one having all the enjoyment here! Keep up the good work...
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