How to grow herbs from seed discs

in Home : Projects: Herbs

You will need

  • Seed discs
  • Plant pots
  • Seed compost
  • Vermiculite
  • Cling film
Do it: winter
Takes just: half an hour

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Overview

Growing herbs from seed discs is a simple alternative for anyone who struggles with sowing small herb and salad seeds. These are filled with seeds for herbs such as basil, chives and parsley, or salads such as mixed leaves, mesclun or rocket.

How to do it

Placing a herb seed disc on the surface of compost in a pot

1Choose pots that are a little larger than the disc, then fill them up with seed compost. Firm and level the surface and place a seed disc on top.

Scattering a layer of vermiculite over a seed disc in a pot

2Cover the seed disc with a fine layer of vermiculite, which is easier to spread thinly, alternatively you could use seed compost if you prefer.

Watering a pot of herb seeds covered in vermiculite

3Water the pot thoroughly, cover with cling film, and stand it in a warm, bright position. When seedlings emerge, remove the cling film.

Hand holding a pot of basil seedlings

4Pot seedlings on as they grow, keeping them watered so that the compost doesn't dry out. Give them a liquid feed once a week.

Hand transferring an individual basil seedling into a pot of compost

5Once they are large enough to handle, transfer individual seedlings to smaller pots. Handle by a leaf to avoid crushing the stem.

Watering a tray filled with pots of transplanted basil seedlings

6Pinching out the tip of your plants will encourage bushy growth. Keep on watering them and they can be planted outside in summer.

Discuss this project

Talkback: How to grow herbs from seed discs
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arber 24/11/2011 at 15:29

Can we use this method to get the seedlings started and then grow them in the kitchen under a propagation light?