[arugula]

Hi All,

I have the opportunity to get some of my herb seeds for next year on seed mats. I notice seed mats were discussed previously on here re. veg seeds, but has anyone tried them with herb seeds to grow in pots? I'm not sure about them, as I don't plant my herbs in long rows (the mats are 5 feet long), but OH says I could cut them up.

Any thoughts anyone?

 

[DavidT]

Are they mixed herbs or single varieties? Do you want 5ft of Basil or Coriander?

[Mosslane]

Hi Argyllie, I haven't tried them yet but I have bought some for next year. However mine were from Suttons and they come in a pack of assorted herbs but are a small circular mat of each herb to put on top of a plant pot of compost. They look ok but will see how they turn out later.

[arugula]

Hi David and Mosslane!

They are mostly single varieties - so plenty for freezing/drying David, but there is one mixed I suppose for very small gardens? From Suttons, so probably the same thing as you bought Mosslane . I have ordered, but I ended up not getting any of the mats, so its up to Mosslane to give up a report next year .

Re. seed mats in general, I can see a benefit where the seeds are very small and fiddly, where you will get a good even spread, but there was a test of salad seed mats on this last summer season of the Beechgrove Garden (BBC Scotland Gardeners World type programme), where the results were sporadic .

Thanks for your replies, guys!

[Mosslane]

Hi Argyllie, I wil of course let you know how they work. I got them because I have MS and my hands have no feeling so little seeds are a nightmare. I also got some seeds in tapes where you just cut a strip and plant, beetroot, lettuce etc. so we shall see!

[Yorkie]

I used the round herb mats for pots this year, for mixed salad leaves.

They were very straightforward, not sure how evenly spread the different varieties were, and it was comparatively expensive compared to seed packets.  But if you don't want to grow too many herbs or leaves then I think they're worth considering, especially if you find smaller seeds fiddly.

[Mosslane]

Nice day today so decided to pot up the seed mats. I have a little poly greenhouse which is now getting the suns warmth so they should be ok in there.

Will update you on their progress.

[noshed]

Blimey, there was frost outside this morning. I think I'll leave it a couple of weeks.

[goodegg]

mosslane arnt you supposed to cover them so they stay moist not planted any myself just wondered thats all

[Mosslane]

Hi Goodegg,
I did cover them after I took the photo, just wanted to show them in the pots before I covered them.
Noshed
We haven't had frost here for a few days now and they are on a south facing wall which retains the heat for a while into the night. If it gets cold I will bring them inside.

[Mosslane]

Just to update this thread. The mats worked fairly well. The parsley is great probably the best crop I have ever grown. The coriander and basils germinated slowly but grew well although I lost a lot of the basil to frost whilst away. The only poor one was the chives but I had some anyway so not too disappointed.