Materials Needed
- Small terra cotta pots (with drainage holes)
- Seed starting mix or potting soil
- Herb seeds (e.g., basil, parsley, cilantro, etc.)
- Watering can or spray bottle
- Labels (optional)
Instructions for Planting Herb Seeds
Choose Your Seeds
Select the herbs you want to grow. A few easy options for beginners are basil, cilantro, and parsley.
Prepare the Pots
Ensure the terra cotta pots are clean. If they’ve been used before, wash them to remove any residue.
Fill the Pots
Fill each pot with seed starting mix or potting soil, leaving about ½ inch of space at the top. Gently tap the pot to settle the soil without packing it too tightly.
Sow the Seeds
Check the seed packet for specific planting instructions, but a general rule is to plant seeds about ¼ inch deep.
For small pots (about 4 inches), plant 2-3 seeds per pot to ensure at least one germinates. You can thin them later if needed.
Water the Seeds
Lightly water the soil until it is moist but not soggy. A spray bottle can help you gently moisten the soil without displacing the seeds.
Cover and Germinate
Cover the pots with plastic wrap or a clear lid to retain humidity until the seeds germinate. Remove it once you see seedlings.
Care Instructions After Taking Them Home
Placement
Place the pots on a sunny windowsill that receives at least 6 hours of sunlight each day. Herbs love light!
Watering
Keep the soil consistently moist but not waterlogged. Water when the top inch of soil feels dry. Use a spray bottle for gentle watering.
Fertilizing
After about 4-6 weeks, you can start fertilizing with a diluted liquid fertilizer every 4-6 weeks to encourage growth.
Thinning
If multiple seeds sprouted, thin the seedlings by snipping off the weaker ones at the base, leaving the strongest to grow.
Harvesting
Once the plants are about 6 inches tall, you can start harvesting. Use scissors to snip leaves as needed, which encourages bushier growth.
Additional Tips
- Temperature: Keep the herbs in a warm spot (around 65-70°F) for optimal growth.
- Pest Control: Watch for pests and treat them promptly with natural methods if necessary.