Herbs in Pots and Transplanting Early Spring Flowers

There are two reasons for promoting container gardening in Mid-February in Falls County, Texas. 1) Mid-February in Falls County, Texas, is in the transition period from Winter to Spring. 2) Containers are portable, allowing one to move them to catch the best sunlight throughout the day. They are perfect for small spaces, easily set on patios or balconies, and they are ideal for growing herbs and small vegetables.

Imagine how dull our meals would be without the flavoring agents, herbs. The leaves of most herb plants are what is used, but sometimes seeds or roots of some herbs are used. For the beginner gardener, it can be exciting to learn that, since herbs are used in small quantities, only a few plants are necessary to provide sufficient fresh and dried herbs for the entire season!

Mid-February in Falls County, Texas, means beginning the herbal collection with cool-season herbs: cilantro, parsley, dill, chives, and thyme. These can be planted indoors or in protected, sunny pots. Cilantro is a superstar in Texas. It loves the cooler temperatures and will grow lush and vibrant without much fuss. You can plant it directly in garden beds or in planters on a patio. If sowing and growing cilantro in a pot, a deep pot is best, as cilantro has long roots. Just make sure to water regularly.

Parsley is very hardy in Texas, and starting them in pots in mid-February in Falls County allows them to thrive through the Spring before summer heat sets in. Parsley seeds can be sown directly in pots or seedlings can be transplanted. It thrives in cool weather and, again, can be started outdoors or in containers outdoors. Use a rich, welldraining potting mix. pots at least 12 inches deep, and place them in full sun to part shade, protecting them from late freezes. Parsley loves a very damp condition, so ensure it is well watered. Once established, harvest the outer leaves and encourage continued growth.

Dill does not transplant well, so direct seeding is crucial. Use a small stake or place near a wall to support tall, slender plants, especially in windy conditions. Fill the pot with a welldraining potting mix, ideally slightly acidic (pH 5.8 to 6.5) and enriched with organic matter or compost. Sow seeds about 1/4 inch deep and lightly cover them with soil. Germination usually takes 10 to 14 days, so keep the soil consistently moist for those days. Once seedlings emerge and are a few inches tall, thin them to a spacing of 10 to 12 inches apart to allow strong root growth. Allow at least 6 to 8 hours of direct sunlight daily. In the intense Texas heat, partial afternoon shade can be beneficial to prevent bolting (premature flowering). Dill doesn’t need much fertilizer. A light application of a balanced, water-soluble plant food (at half the recommended strength) every 4 to 6 weeks is sufficient for container-grown plants. Harvest the feathery leaves as soon as the plant is large enough, typically within 8 weeks of sowing. The flavor is best if harvested before the plant flowers.

Three types of dill are recommended for pots. Fernleaf is a compact, dwarf variety that grows to only about 18 inches. It is slower to bolt than other varieties and has a longer harvest period. Dukat is another compact variety for pots. It has abundant, aromatic foliage. Bouquet grows slightly taller than Fernleaf but remains highly recommended for Texas pots or gardens. Keep an eye out for caterpillars, as dill is a host plant for swallowtail butterflies.

For a steady supply of onion-flavored greens, grow chives. They are low-maintenance and ideal for container gardening. Sow seeds 1/4 inch deep, spaced roughly an inch apart, and cover lightly with soil. Sow chive seeds in pots (at least 6 inches deep with ample drainage holes) indoors or on a sheltered patio to get a head start. They take 14–21 days to germinate. Use a high-quality, light potting mix blended with compost, keep it moist, and provide full sun to partial shade (4-6 hours minimum), moving them indoors in case of frost. Seeds should germinate in 2-3 weeks. Once established, water when the top inch of soil is dry. Late-February to March can still bring freezing temperatures to Falls County. Protect pots during cold snaps or start them indoors on a sunny windowsill. Once the chives are established, cut the leaves at the base, about 2 inches above the soil. This will encourage new growth.

While it is often too cold for direct sowing, mid-February is an ideal time to start thyme indoors or to plant established transplants outdoors. Thyme grows slowly from seed and takes 75–90 days to reach maturity. Starting indoors in February allows it to mature before the intense summer heat. Use seed starting trays or small pots with seed-starting mix. Sow seeds thinly on top of the soil and barely cover them. These seeds need light to germinate. Keep the mix moist and warm (60-68°F is ideal). Thyme seeds take 14–28 days to sprout. Once plants are a few inches tall and all frost risk has passed - late March/early April in Central Texas - move them outdoors.

Next week: Late February - a great time to plant any of the perennial herbs oregano, sage, thyme, mint, lemon balm, rosemary, and lavender in the garden.

Photo by Sandra Gurley