Herbs 'n Spices: Growing Your Own Herbs

Gardening is about enjoying the smell of things growing in the soil, getting dirty without feeling guilty, and generally taking the time to soak up a little peace and serenity. ~Lindley Karstens

There are so many herbs that can be grown from seed. Some herbs do better started ahead of time inside, others are easiest sown outside where you want them to grow.

This first grouping below can be sown outside or inside. Inside is recommended for a head start, especially in colder climates. I have found that calendula is just fine sown outside, because it flowers heavily until frost when some flowering herbs are finished. But if you want a headstart you can begin it in pots, and later direct sow more outside. I have found the same thing true when I grow nasturtiums. Starting herbs inside not only gives a headstart but you can baby the seedlings a little more.

Basil
Borage
Calendula
Lovage
Marjoram
Summer Savory (in peat pots)
Sweet Annie/Wormwood
Nasturtium (in peat pots)
Ambrosia

The following herbs really need to be started inside. Some like chives and sage are inexpensive to buy as small potted plants, and available at almost all nurseries. If you don't have a lot of room to start seeds, it's easier to pick up a plant. Others really need to be started early inside and will save you quite a bit of money if you want more than one plant, such as lavender.

Chives
Clary Sage
Coriander
Horehound
Hyssop
Lavender
Lemon Balm
Pennyroyal
Rue
Safflower
Sage
Salad Burnet
Winter Savory

There are some seeds which simply do better when sown outside. These include:

Anise
Fennel
Dill
Parsley

Most of these herbs I've profiled on the garden section at OFL.
You can view the articles with growing tips here:
http://www.oldfashionedliving.com/gardenpath.html