Inside, herbal seedlings are no more complex than others. In fact, many of them, including basil, thyme and chives, are among the easiest to plant yourself. Step 1 - moisten the soil Always sow in a slightly moistened soil. To do this, simply add water until the soil is porous and well wet, but not soaked. Step 2 - fill the containers Even if the filling may seem obvious, it is important to emphasize the importance of not compact the soil with fingers or hands. The compost must be packed but not compressed. A good way to do this is to tap the pot on the table, for example. Step 3 - sow Depending on the preferences, it is possible to sow in rows, on the fly or in small pockets. Distribute the seeds uniformly. Step 4 - cover In general, the seeds must be covered with a thickness equal to three times their diameter. Thus, the larger the seed, the more it must be covered with potting soil. Step 5 - label Identify the seedlings by indicating the name of the plant and the date. Do not rely on your memory, for it could play you tricks! Step 6 - place the dome and position the tray in the light Cover the seeded containers with a transparent dome or plastic bag to increase the ambient humidity and encourage germination. Even if some herbs can germinate in the dark, place the pots in a very well-lit place, at the edge of a window or under artificial light.
The choice of herbs At first, you will need to focus on choosing the plants you want to grow in your home. Annual herbs Some, called annual, have a life cycle of one year. From seeds, you will therefore obtain plants, which you will have to replace, which will live a dozen months, either:
Coriandre
Parsley
Basil
Dill
Perennial herbs Others, known as perennial, have life cycles that resemble our seasons. Less prolific in the winter, they will have good growth periods from late spring to fall. You can safely set them out in the sun on your balcony. The following plants are part of these perennials, which you will buy in your garden center or sow for years of pleasure!
Chives
Mint
Thyme
Choice of potting soil Your spices and herbs will flourish in a good quality soil. Certainly the products on the market will do the job. But if you want to make your own potting soil, an easy recipe will give you a dozen liters of substrate.
Recipe for potting soil
Simply mix:
4 l. earth
4 l. compost
2 l. sand
2 l. sphagnum moss
For best results, add:
35 g dolomitic lime
40 g bones meal
50 g shrimp flour
The pots
You will find: • clay • wood • ceramic • plastic, with drainage holes • wooden pots • terracotta
Personally, I prefer terra cotta pots. Heavier and fragile, they allow the oxygen to pass, which is transmitted to the roots of the plants and facilitates the evaporation of the surplus water. These pots are ideal for those who water too much! But they have the fault of staining the shelves. Wood pots, which are less fragile, generally offer the same characteristics. Others will prefer plastic pots that are easy to store, but not aesthetically pleasing. However, it is always possible to use wooden, earthen, baked, metal or ceramic pot covers to conceal them.
Pot Size Herbs are used in 4-inch pots. In smaller containers, they will feel cramped and will not deliver the desired yield. In larger pots, they will try to multiply the roots, to the detriment of the leaves. Remember that large and flared pots, exposed to the sun, accentuate the drying of the soil.
Use large and shallower pots for plants with superficial roots such as thyme, tarragon and savory.
