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Italian Herb Garden Starter Kit Guide: Instructions for Growing 5 Italian Herbs

Growing guides

Congratulations!

You’ve got everything you need to start growing your own Italian Herb Garden. With Thyme, Parsley, Sage, Oregano, and Basil growing in your garden, you’ll have fresh herbs on hand to create your signature dishes.

Growing your own herbs is delicious, cost-effective, and also very easy. So let’s get started.

Italian Herb Starter Kit Growing Guide

Growing Italian Herbs From Seed

Start by following the instructions for hydrating the soil discs. Once the soil is expanded and in pots, you are ready to start planting.
Plant the herb seeds according to the instructions for each specific seed packet. (Take note to soak parsley before planting.)

Knowing how and when to water is vital:

Water by misting until the seeds start to sprout.
Take care that the seeds don’t dry out too quickly - seeds need to stay moist but not waterlogged to sprout.
A dome can help retain moisture. Keep the dome on until they begin to sprout.
Once the seedlings are growing, continue to keep the soil moist. Less frequent but deep watering will encourage root growth.
The pot should not dry out completely between waterings, just the top layer of soil.
As the plants grow, water only the soil, keeping the plants dry.

Now that you’ve got your herbs growing and the watering down, you’ll want to consider the other thing that plants need – food. The soil that comes in your kit has added amendments that create a fertile growing environment. You may need to add fertilizer when you transplant to a garden or larger pots. Herbs don’t need a lot of fertilizer, but they do benefit from nitrogen for leaf growth.

Adding organic matter (compost and/or leaves) to your garden beds before transplanting can help supplement the additional nutrients your plants need as they grow.

The included pots can easily be planted directly into the garden if you’d like to grow outdoors instead. When soil and outside temperatures are above 60ºF, follow the directions on transplanting the biodegradable pots.

How to Transplant Italian Herb Seedlings Outdoors

The fiber pots included in the kit make transplanting easy. Once the seedlings are several inches tall and there are at least four true leaves, you can transplant them outdoors. True leaves are not the first set that develops when the seed first sprouts. True leaves come later and have the shape of regular leaves.

Tender herb seedlings need time to adjust to outdoor conditions. Over the course of a week or two, harden off the plants by placing them outside. Start with just a few hours a day and gradually increase the exposure time—no need to rush. Take your time and make sure the weather is over 60ºF before transplanting.

Thin out your seedlings early on once they have sprouted. Remove some sprouts to make room for the largest and strongest of them to grow without competition.
The included biodegradable pot allows for easy planting with minimal root disturbance.
Soak the pot in water to soften the fibers.
Break open the sides of the pot with your hands and bury the pot completely in the soil.
Water the newly transplanted seedling.

Growing Italian Herbs Indoors

If you prefer to grow your Italian herbs indoors to access them easily, here are some extra pieces of info you might find helpful.

Place the pots on trays or saucers to protect surfaces.
Place the pots on a tray of pebbles with water to increase indoor humidity in the winter months.
You’ll need a sunny window location – a south or southwest-facing window usually gives the 6 to 8 hours of daily sunlight needed for growing herbs. If you don’t have enough sunlight, you can use grow lights or cool fluorescent lights placed 6-15 inches away from your plants. And remember to rotate your plants occasionally so they get even exposure.
A pair of sharp kitchen shears is helpful for herb harvesting and pruning.

Additional growing tips:

Herbs grow best in full sun. So choose a sunny spot when growing outdoors.
If herbs are not harvested regularly, they will bolt or go to seed.
Prune or harvest the tops of herb plants for bushier side growth.
For more Herb Growing Tips, visit our Planter’s Library.

With this growing guide and all the supplies in your Italian Herb Starter Kit, you’re ready to start planting. Within a few weeks, you’ll be enjoying a fresh supply of herbs!

Have more growing questions? At Sow Right Seeds, we love gardening and want your experience to be successful. Explore our Planter’s Library for more gardening tips, and check out our selection of herb, flower, and vegetable varieties to see what you’d like to grow next!