Herb germination

[Jenegade]

I seem to be having problems getting my herbs to germinate. I have Dill, Chives, Sage and Oregano planted indoors and none of them have germinated, I've tried several times sowing the seeds, but I can't seem to grow them! What am I doing wrong? They are in moist compost, on a warm windowsill. I didn't think they needed the higher temps to start off the germination like Peppers/ toms etc...

[zazen999]

How long have they been sown?

[Jenegade]

About 4 weeks ago... Am I being impatient?

[zazen999]

i don't think so...

hang on...

[coreopsis]

Nope.At least dill and chives should be growing by now.

[zazen999]

My oregano was sown 2 weeks ago and was planted out in my Nieces' new raised beds at the weekend...you're having problems with lots of seeds by the looks of it...

I'd get some different compost just in case it is that.

[Nickerly]

I've had the same problem and have tried two types of compost.. Very frustrating!

[zazen999]

Failing the compost issue, try the seed by putting it on damp kitchen roll, and wrapping in a bag or cling film and seeing if they germinate.

[Nickerly]

Failing the compost issue, try the seed by putting it on damp kitchen roll, and wrapping in a bag or cling film and seeing if they germinate.

That's exactly what i am trying now I think my problem might have been that I over watered them and they drowned.

[zazen999]

Norty norty....Nickerly...

[Nickerly]

I keep killing them with love

[zazen999]

Don't let Two_sheds hear you say that.....or you'll be in trouble

[Jenegade]

I don't think the over watering is the problem, I've tried ignoring them and they still won't do anything!! The compost seemed fine for other veg and flower seeds... Least I think it was the same stuff...

Ok, I'll try the damp kitchen towel method and then plant it in the New Horizons compost I bought at the weekend, fingers crossed it works!!

Let me know how yours gets on Nickerly!

[lumix]

I'm certainly no expert, but here's what worked for me;

Use any decent seed compost. Water the compost (I went over mine a couple of times with a fine rose head), sprinkle the seeds thinly, then cover them with the smallest amount of compost/vermiculite. Go over again with the fine rose attachment, cover with a propagator/cling film and leave in a warm, sunny window cill. I use my South facing conservatory.

It took about 14-18 days for mine to germinate. As soon as you see shoots remove the lid/cling film, and leave in a warm sunny cill.

The only herb that I haven't been able to germinate is Rosemary??

Hope this helps.

Jon

[MrsC]

I sowed Dill direct 2 weeks ago, about 1" tall now in a large pot, although grew it early indoors last year. Chives shouldn't be a problem, can sow outdoors at this time of year. Have some more Garlic Chives just popping through sown about 2 weeks ago also. Never grown Oregano or Sage from seed so can't comment.