by Brenda Hyde

I thought I'd take a break from the profiles today to discuss which seeds should or can be started inside and which herb seeds can be directly sown where they are to grow. This does not include all herbs by any means, but it's a good selection of the popular herbs grown more commonly.

This first grouping below can be sown outside or inside.

Inside is recommended for a head start, especially in colder climates. I have found that calendula is just fine sown outside, because it flowers heavily until frost when some flowering herbs are finished. But if you want a headstart you can begin it in pots, and later direct sow more outside. I have found the same thing true when I grow nasturtiums. Starting herbs inside not only gives a head start but you can baby the seedlings a little more.

• Basil
• Borage
• Calendula
• Lovage
• Marjoram
• Summer Savory (in peat pots)
• Sweet Annie/Wormwood
• Nasturtium (in peat pots)
• Ambrosia

The following herbs really need to be started inside.

Some like chives and sage are inexpensive to buy as small potted plants, and available at almost all nurseries. If you don't have a lot of room to start seeds, it's easier to pick up a plant. Others really need to be started early inside and will save you quite a bit of money if you want more than one plant, such as lavender.

• Chives
• Clary Sage
• Coriander
• Horehound
• Hyssop
• Lavender
• Lemon Balm
• Pennyroyal
• Rue
• Safflower
• Sage
• Salad Burnet
• Winter Savory

There are some seeds which simply do better when sown outside. These include:

• Anise
• Fennel
• Dill
• Parsley

Many of these herbs I've profiled in the past. You can view the articles on the garden index page here:

http://www.oldfashionedliving.com/gardenpath.html

From Brenda Hyde, owner of Old Fashioned Living.com. Visit her for more tips, recipes and crafts. Sign up for her free newsletters here: http://www.oldfashionedliving.com/news.html