Should I start the seeds now or wait?

In My Humble Opinion
1

All right, I went a tad crazy at an online seed catalog. I bought about a dozen or so herb seeds, and a couple of varieties of flower seeds.

It’s August in Texas, which means that today’s high will likely be over 100 degrees F. So, should I try to start the seeds indoors and try to transplant them in the fall, or wait til spring has sprung?

[ul]
[li]Greek oregano[/li][li]Coriander/cilantro[/li][li]Parsley (single Italian)[/li][li]Fernleaf dill[/li][li]Rosemary[/li][li]Chive[/li][li]Sweet basil[/li][li]Spearmint[/li][li]Strawberry (yes, strawberry SEEDS, should be interesting)[/li][li]Catnip[/li][/ul]

Those are all going in containers, outside.

I also have
[ul]
[li]Marigold[/li][li]Moonflower[/li][li]Lavender[/li][/ul]
which I plan to plant just in various areas of the lawn.

I’m thinking that I can TRY to start the spearmint, at least. It’s been described as invasive. I might start a few strawberry seeds, as well, just out of curiousity. I realize that since all the seeds are packed for the 2003 growing season, the germination rate for 2004 is likely to be less successful, but I should still have more than enough plants to suit my modest desires.

Sooooo, any advice? Any links to gardening sites/message boards?

2

not too familiar with what winters are like in Texas. if you have a long, gradual slide into cold weather, you might possible have plants that are starting to look good… right before the frost gets them. this, after all the time spent sowing, sprouting, thinning, separating, transplanting (not to mention watering, watering, watering…)

this might be an alternative –

i have a pottery strawberry jar that i use for growing herbs outside. (i’ve got all i can do to keep the flowerbeds and walkway weeded; i don’t need a garden patch too!) granted, i buy herbs from a nursery and transplant them in the different “shelves” in the pot (make sure you have one with LARGE openings, not those useless little pinch-shelves). but i don’t see any reason why you couldn’t sow the seeds directly into each section of the pot. (i did actually use dill and parsley seeds in a couple sections.) make sure you keep it watered (a saucer underneath to help hold water for the pot would probably be a good idea.) maybe having it on a semi-shady area like on a porch would help cut down on the killer sun levels.

(since we had such a wet spring/early summer around here, my herb success level has been pretty darn high this year. i’m hoping to bring the pot indoors once cold weather starts coming. of course, i also hoped to do that last year. too bad i dropped the pot when i was halfway through the garage. :frowning: )

failing that, my tendancy would be to wait until around February/whenever spring sowing indoors is recommended on seed packets. of course, you should listen to somebody who’s more familiar with the weather patterns down there before you take what i say as gospel.

oh, almost forgot. i have some chocolate-scented spearmint planted around the house. (smells wooonderful when handled.) i originally sprouted cuttings in water, then eventually planted out back (afternoon sun/West side of house). spearmint (or any mint) does indeed spread everywhere. it sends semi-underground runners, rather like clover. and it is a perennial, so once it’s there, it’s there. you’d have to really go after it to get rid of it, once it’s taken hold. (but since mine is right next to the lawn, it gets kept somewhat in check by the lawnmower.) i think i originally planted it there because i read somewhere that it helps repel ants. (location just happens to be under the kitchen window.)

but if you really want to see ‘invasive’, plant violets. aieeeee.

3

With spearmint and other invasive things, plant 'em in a pot and nearly-bury the pot in the soil of the garden. Keeps 'em corralled.

4

unless one of the runners manages to touch the ground elsewhere and root itself. then all bets are off.

i’m still digging up a $*#^-load of vinca that’s all over one flowerbed. it reached from the railing planter to the ground, and i foolishly ignored it at the time. live and learn.

5

How many seeds of each herb did you purchase? You will most certainly be much more successful starting in the spring. But, if you have plenty of seeds, why not try a few this fall. I keep a small fall herb garden in several strawberry pots. Below is culture info for my area (Houston) that I have learned over the years.
Greek oregano: keep this away from taller plants; doesn’t like it too hot or too cold; depending on variety, can be (and usually is) invasive. Better if started from established nursery seedlings or divisions off of other plants.

Coriander/cilantro: does not like the heat and will bolt once established if too hot; plant seeds in Oct - Nov and let go to seed in spring will self seed and reappear in fall as small plants which can be transplanted.

Parsley (single Italian): does not like heat at all and will go to seed easily around May in our area. Seed stores 2 to 3 years. Ideal sprouting temp 75 degrees; grows best 60-65 degrees.

Fernleaf dill: likes cool weather; plant in fall. Readily self-seeds. Great for attracting beneficial insects.

Rosemary: best grown from cuttings or transplants. You can root branches by bending them down and putting soil over the
middle.

Chive: Grown year-round here; harvest frequently for continued success.

Sweet basil: prime harvest dates are June - Nov; loves full sun and steady irrigation. Cut flower stalks before they go to seed to maintain full flavor of leaves.

Spearmint: Very invasive; best if started from divided plants. Will die back in very ocld weather and without irrigation in dry hot weather. But never fear it will come back. Unless you have a spare 40 acres I recommend keeping this one in a pot.

Strawberry: You’re right; it should be interesting. I’ve always had a heck of a time with strawberrys here.

Catnip: If you have any cats in the neighborhood, don’t expect your catnip to last too long. LOL If kittys aren’t a problem then it can become invasive. Prefers sandy soil; full or partial sun. Seeds should do well as a start but will do better if started in spring.

Marigold: I’m assuming you’re talking about Mexican Marigold (if not disregard) Thrives far better in full sun. I would start seeds indoors this winter and plant seedlings early spring.

Moonflower: No advice on this one as I haven’t grown this.

Lavender: What variety did you purchase? Some lavenders are very difficult to grow here due to our heat/humidity. All need full sun, sandy well-drained soil, and a raised bed to improve drainage (they don’t like wet feet). Depending on variety, seed propagation can be successful if started indoors during winter and transplants are set out once last frost date has passed.

I hope this helps a bit. Good luck!

Siberia
Master Gardener

6

Moonflower: the only one I know about. Wait till the soil warms up next spring and plant it (annual vine, really beautiful).

Second thought, they say to nick the seed coating on moonflower, try planting half the seeds now and see if the seed-coating thing is a clever dodge by the plant so it doesn’t sprout until the right season.

7

Heck, here in Colorado, my sis-in-law grows herbs year round in thier kitchen window.

She starts them in the summer (whenever she feels like it) and keeps them going through out the winter. Obviously we have harsher winters than most parts in Texas but she always seems to have some kind o fresh herb on hand.

As for the showers. I would look to your local gardening center as the guidance as they want your business…and since south Texas is different than north Texas…

8

Er FLOWERS. Me thinks me needs some sleep!

9

I think that I’m just going to start a few seeds of each kind, once the weather cools down a bit. It got up to 109 F here, and I’m afraid that the seeds would ROAST if I tried to plant them this month! Maybe I can start them inside and move them outside when the weather is cooler! Thanks for the suggestions/advice, everyone.

10

“Herb Seeds” eh?