Many common types of herbs can now be taken home from any supermarket all year round. However, these plants have been grown in greenhouses for a short window sill life and have not hardened enough for garden life. If you want to buy herbs for further cultivation outdoors, it is better to get the young plants from the nursery.

Herbs can be grown at home and planted out in spring

Spring is the best time to plant herbs

Herbs should be planted outdoors in spring if possible. Most species are somewhat sensitive to the cold, especially since they were often raised in regions that were more spoiled by warmth. For these, a planting date after the ice saints is best suited. You can also plant robust perennial species such as mint or wormwood in autumn, preferably between mid-September and mid-October.

Sow herbs - That's how it's done

However, many types of herbs are best grown by sowing them yourself. All annual and biennial species can only be propagated in this way anyway. You can sow robust, cold-resistant varieties directly in their final location in the garden bed in spring. The optimal time for sowing depends on the one hand on the type of herb and on the other hand on the climatic conditions of your region. It is usually between the end of March and the end of May. Prepare the bed carefully by loosening and possibly improving the soil, removing weeds and smoothing the surface. Do not scatter the fine seeds too densely, otherwise you will still have to thin out the seedlings after emergence.

Prefer sensitive herbs on the windowsill

Sensitive types of herbs, on the other hand, should be preferred on the windowsill in the house from February. Use seed and herb soil as substrate and ensure high humidity by covering the containers with plastic hoods or foil. Place the seed in a bright, warm window and keep it evenly moist at all times. As soon as the first real leaves have formed after the cotyledons, the seedlings have to be separated into larger pots. Now you no longer need to cover the plants, but instead you can slowly acclimate them to fresh air and outside temperatures.

Place young plants in the herb bed

The young seedlings are only planted outdoors after the ice saints, i.e. in mid-May. Loosen the soil at least a spade deep and remove all weeds. After these preparatory measures, lay out the plants on the bed in order to be able to check the correct spacing. Dig the planting hole so that around two to three centimeters of space remain around the root ball. If necessary, carry out some soil improvements. Then hold the plants in, fill up the soil again and press the ball with your fingers. Finally, water generously so that the roots can grow more easily.

tips

The plants must not be lower in the bed than in the pot, otherwise they often take care of themselves and do not really want to thrive.

Category:

Indoor plants