Starting Seeds for Basil and Pepper in Peat Pellets

It’s time for another seed starting update for our basil and peppers in peat pellets. I plant basil and peppers every year for our vegetable garden. I find that basil is indispensable as a seasoning and for making pesto. Basil also has a some companion planting benefits when planted alongside the vegetables in the garden (particularly the tomatoes!) Peppers are delicious in cooking all kinds of foods and we grow both the sweet and hot peppers every year.

Basil Seed Selections

For basil I’ve planted ‘Dark Opal’ which is a purple basil, an Italian basil, and some ‘Spicy Globe’ basil. I’ve enjoyed all three in the garden and have to keep adding them in to the planting plan. Last year I tried a purple ruffle basil which was very cool for its ornamental value. Cinnamon basil is another neat basil that hopefully I’ll get going again this year. I saved seed for it but haven’t started it yet.

The last frost date (April 15th in our area) has past so it’s time to get planting in the garden. You’ll notice that for the basil seedlings I have some planted in a reused container. Anything that holds soil can be used as a container so why not reuse what you can a few times before you throw it away? Just make sure that you add proper drainage to any container you use if it doesn’t already come with holes.

Check out these other basil seedlings in the peat pellets. Peat pellets are a good easy way to start your seeds. They are relatively cheap, come in various sizes, are biodegradable, and make seed starting simple. You setup the peat pellets in the planting tray then add water and let it absorb into the peat. After that you sow your seeds in the top of each (now expanded) pellet then cover with the plastic humidity dome.

Peat pellet trays are usually perfectly sized to fit heat mats underneath. Heat mats improve germination time and results by keep the temperatures steady and in the ideal range for the seeds to grow. Thermostats to help adjust the temperature can also be handy.

It’s finally time for us here in Middle Tennessee to safely begin planting our hot season vegetables and annuals. Zinnias, sunflowers, beans, marigolds, and all kinds of other plantings should be safe from the killing frosts. Now’s the time when all out gardening begins!