It is becoming more and more common for kitchens to have aromatic plants that you can use in a moment to season your dishes. It is something that not only offers a natural decoration, but the smell it gives off and the flavor for your meals makes it more and more pleasant. But how to sow aromatic plant seeds? Is it the same as any other plant?
We talk about all the care and steps you must take to sow seeds of aromatic plants so that after a few weeks you get those plants that are going to brighten up your home and, in a certain way, take care of you and improve your lifestyle.
Types of sowing of aromatic plants
One of the first aspects that you must take into account when sowing aromatic plant seeds is to know how you are going to do it. In general, there two types of planting:
- Direct. That is to say, the seed is placed in the soil of the pot where it is going to grow, it is covered and the soil is conditioned so that it germinates well (normally it is moist).
- In seedbeds. They are like pots but much smaller. Normally a tray is used in which small holes are made in the ground to leave the seeds and when they have germinated they are transplanted to their fixed place (in a pot). In many cases, the seedbeds are grown in the dark to enhance development (and covered with plastic with some holes to breathe) creating a greenhouse effect.
Really one or the other will depend a lot on the type of aromatic plants you want to plant. And it is that, depending on the one you choose, one type of planting or another is more suitable.
For example, in the case of parsley, marjoram, coriander, basil, chives... it is better to sow with the direct type; while rosemary, thyme, sage… they accept much better (and you have more success) if you put them in a seedbed. Other plants, on the other hand, can be placed in one or the other (mint, chervil, savory...).
The best time to sow seeds of aromatic plants
Normally it is in spring when plants are sown, including aromatic ones. But the truth is that with some you wouldn't have to wait so long to do it. For example, basil, chives, chervil, thyme or rosemary could already be planted because their planting season begins. On the other hand, with dill or marjoram, it would be necessary to wait until April.
Our recommendation is that When buying aromatic plant seeds, check the sowing time to have more opportunities for them to germinate.
In addition, in some it is possible that they require a period of humidity (or that the "wet napkin" technique can be used to make them germinate faster and thus later grow better (to the point of saving the seedbed and planting directly in a pot). to avoid going through a thinning).
How to plant aromatic plants
Sowing seeds has no science. It is something that anyone can do. Depending on the type of sowing that you have decided (or based on the plants that you are going to plant) it will be done in one way or another.
If you have decided by direct seeding, it is best to choose a more or less large pot and fill it with nutritious and draining soil. Make a not too deep hole in the center and place the seed covering it a little with the soil. Water and wait.
If, on the other hand, you have chosen the hotbeds, these are usually with several holes. You have to fill each of them with soil and make holes to introduce the seed. Cover it and water by spraying the water (otherwise you can remove the soil and with it the seeds).
In both cases, it will be necessary to wait to see if they germinate. What some do is put it in a bright place while others cover it with plastic (with holes made for it to breathe) and put it in a dark place for 2-3 days to germinate with a greenhouse effect.
Tips for sowing aromatic plant seeds
Next we want to leave you some tips to keep in mind when planting aromatic plants.
- Use an organic and very nutritious soil that, at the same time, drains very well. The pools of water do not do any good for the seeds or for the roots that develop because they could die.
- In some cases, you will not be able to plant a single seed per hole, but several will go because you do not know if they will all germinate. Now, in the event that they do, you must proceed to thinning. This is, Separate the different plants that have grown to prevent them from fighting each other for space and ending up withering. If you see that they all germinate, try to have a pot for each of the plants. Or at least a planter so that the plants are separated and each one has its own space.
- As we will see below, sunlight is very important, but be careful at first. When the plant germinates, it is not prepared to withstand direct sun and the only thing you will achieve is that it burns and ends up dying. To avoid this, you have to go little by little. First leaving it in the shade and as the days go by taking it to more and more light until it is located in a place where it gets direct sunlight. That is the key for these plants to be fine (unless it is very hot or the sun burns too much, so you will have to place them in semi-shade).
Aromatic plant care
Once you have planted the aromatic plants, and they have germinated and are growing, you have to provide them with the care they need. In general, you will have to watch out for:
- lighting and temperature. They are plants that need direct sun but also a warm temperature. If you notice that it is too hot or too cold, they will be better indoors.
- Irrigation. It is important that the soil is kept somewhat moist, but not too much because depending on the plant it can be harmful to it.
- The pests. The smell of aromatic plants tends to attract insects and plants so you have to watch out for them to appear. If they do, there are products for these plants that will help you control it.
- Harvest. Always choose the first thing in the morning, or last thing in the afternoon, to cut. Try to make clean cuts and not excessively because if you do, some plants will stop growing and wilt.
Do you dare to sow aromatic plant seeds?