Planting Ahead: Indoor Herbs for an Early Spring Harvest

It may still be too cold outdoors to begin your spring garden crops, but it’s not too early to start planting herb seeds indoors. Starting seeds inside gives them a valuable head start, allowing them to develop strong, healthy root systems before transplanting outdoors.

Materials you’ll need:
Starter plant soil
Biodegradable pots
Assorted seeds

Seedlings have different requirements for water and light, and specific care instructions can be found on the back of each seed packet.

Here are nine early starters you can plant now for your first spring harvest:

Basil – Once the growing season ends in the fall, basil plants will produce seed pods for the next season.

Parsley – A hearty herb that can grow year-round in the right conditions.

Cilantro – Its leaves are commonly used in soups, salads, salsa, and guacamole. When the stems dry, they produce seeds called coriander, which are often used in curries, sausage, and pickles.

Chives – A member of the onion family, chives are great for cooking and help repel insects.

Dill – A popular herb for pickling and known for aiding digestion.

Oregano – An invasive plant that is best kept in a container. It’s commonly used in cooking and provides antioxidants along with essential vitamins.

Thyme – A Mediterranean herb with an earthy, slightly minty and peppery flavor.

Sage – Thrives in full sun and can be used for both culinary and medicinal purposes.

Lavender – Known for its calming aroma, lavender is often used to promote relaxation and better sleep.

Fresh herbs are perfect for cooking, and replanting certain varieties outdoors can also help keep mosquitoes and pests at bay. For more information on these herbs and other commonly used varieties, visit LearningHerbs.com.

Growing herbs is a rewarding winter hobby and something you can enjoy all year long.