Planting Herb Seeds in the Fall Wenesday/ Garden

Herbs hang from the rafters on the side porch, while others are dried and stored in glass jars or in the freezer. Herbal vinegars are mellowing still jelly and herbal wreaths have to be made. As the days become shorter and the nights a little cooler, it's time to think about the fall garden. Now is the time to plant seeds of basil, chervil, coriander, dill, summer savory, sage, thyme,marjoram,chives and parsley for indoor use.

While dill and coriander /cilantro reach heights of two or more feet outdoors, indoors they grow smaller and can be successfully harvested. Outdoors there is still time to make a planting or two of chervil, coriander, dill and fennel. Fall is also the best time to plant garlic bulbs. Chervil should be planted in filtered shade and rich soil. The herb also likes a lot of water. Thin the seedlings 9 to 12 inches apart. For a good supply plant every two weeks. Chervil is most flavorful during cool weather, just before flowering. Seedlings can be transplanted just before frost and placed inside a cold frame for use throughout the winter. In the spring, remove the cover and the plant will grow to two feet and burst into bloom.

Coriander seeds, which produce cilantro or Chinese parsley, should also be sown every two weeks until frost. Harvest the young leaves when the plant reaches six inches tall. Pick only the top two to three inches to ensure new growth.

Dill and fennel should be planted directly into the ground, preferring rich, well drained soil and full sun. Thin the plants to 12 to 18 inches apart and keep the plants well watered. Harvest the young leaves the same as cilantro. If fall plantings of chervil, dill, fennel and coriander go to seed , and left alone through the winter, you may be treated to a new crop of seedlings in the spring.

Cool weather is necessary for Florence fennel ( finocchio) to form a bulb. How soon cool weather arrives will determine the size of the bulb. Very cold weather stop's the bulb's growth. Still there is time to enjoy the leaves of both sweet finocchio and sweet fennel. Plant perennial seeds in rows in the garden with identifying markers including; lady's bedstraw, salad burnet, catnip, hyssop, lovage, sweet cicely , sweet flag and sweet woodruff.

I have also planted lavender seeds in the fall, covering with a light layer of leaves or pine needles. Leave this area undisturbed until may or June, and then gently brush away the covering to find a small forest of lavender seedlings. Transplant to an area where they can continue to grow to size. Today this is what we are doing 'Around Our Southern Home and Garden. '