Soaking is the key

If you simply can’t wait to nudge spring back into your landscape there are things you can do besides making an appointment with a therapist. You can combat this condition, known as cabin fever, by seeding plants that require longer germination time. This just might be the remedy to wile away the dark hours of daytime winter.

Materials for this project are minimal: 3 and half inch pots, seed-starting soil, small bowl for soaking seeds, paper towels or coffee filters, mister, and a light source either natural or artificial. I recommend grow lights. I have used the top of my refrigerator but I still recommend using grow lights.

A review of the last anticipated frost in our area and date soil temperature is usually above 50 degrees is helpful in knowing when to begin indoor seed starting.

If you don’t already have pets, seed starting can offer nearly equal time and effort.

If you do have pets you will not be surprised how quickly you become enamored with your little green babies.

Some culinary herb seeds to consider starting early include:

Cilantro ( coriander seeds), Basil, Thyme, Oregano, Sage, Parsley, Arugula, Mint and Chives.

Cilantro-The seed of cilantro is coriander and has two seeds inside the casing. Soak the seeds for 24 hours prior to planting. Gently tease or squeeze to crack the seed. Plant the two seeds no deeper than 1/4 inch. Keep temperature at 60 degrees for about two weeks. Cilantro seeds need cool moist but not soggy soil. Misting is a good method of providing moisture.

Basil-These seeds also need a 24 hour soak. Plant no deeper than 1/4 inch, 1/2 inch apart and only three seeds per pot. Don’t overwater. Germination can be from 7 to 30 days so don’t give up on your basil seeds. Provide sunshine and water after sprouting.

Thyme-These seeds need to soak for 12 hours in cool water. They should be planted about 1/8 inch in neither too wet nor too dry soil. Hydration needs to be consistent as does a temperature of 70 degrees during their 30 day or longer germination period.

Oregano-Soak for 10 minutes. Plant no deeper than 1/8 inch in a sunny location with consistent temperature at 65 degrees. A seed heating mat works great. Germination usually takes 60 days, longer if consistent temperature is not maintained. (If you use a window sill move your pots at night to avoid too drastic a change in temperature)

Sage-Soak for 15 minutes in cool water. Plant 1/8 inch deep in slightly warm soil at 65 to 70 degrees for about three weeks. A little sand in the soil will help with germination.

Parsley-Soak seeds for up to 48 hours. The seeds are tiny so use tweezers to remove them from the filter after their soak bath. Plant 3 seeds per pot no deeper than 1/8 inch. Mist every day. Parsley likes wet soil.

Arugula-Soak for 10 minutes then plant 1/8 inch deep at a consistent temperature of 70 degrees for two weeks.

Mint- Soak for 12 hours, then pour seeds and water through a coffee filter or paper towel to capture seeds. Sprinkle a few seeds on top of the soil and barely cover with soil. Mist several times a day. Keep moist in sunlight.

Chives are easy. Soak the seeds in warm water for 12 hours. Plant no deeper than 1/4 inch and keep the soil temperature at 70 degrees for 60 days.

After seeds have sprouted provide 10 hours of either sunlight or artificial light. After plants have developed their second set of leaves apply a water-based, low dose organic plant food to the soil. Thin to one plant per pot, snipping unwanted ones with scissors at the base of the plant. (pulling or digging out may injure roots of the desirable plant)

When harvesting your plants never remove more than 1/4 of the overall foliage at one time.

If all this fails to help you escape the winter doldrums, book a Cruise and soak in the warm waters of the Caribbean.

— Margaret A. Swenson is a Washington State University Master Gardener. Contact her at http://spokane-county.wsu.edu/spokane/ or call 509-477-2181