Choosing the right seeds for growing at home

The choice of seeds depends above all on what you want to harvest, and how quickly you want to do it. Sprouting and microgreen seeds give a harvest within a few days. Herbs, such as basil, parsley or chives, take several weeks but then produce for a long time, in a pot, a planter or a hydroponic system.

For sowing indoors, three conditions matter: a fine, light substrate, a mild temperature, often around 20°C for basil, and plenty of light as soon as the seedlings emerge. It's a lack of light that makes seedlings 'leggy', with long, fragile stems. Sow shallow, keep the compost moist without overdoing it, and thin out once the seedlings start touching.

Store your seed packets somewhere dry, cool and dark. To get germination right in winter, read our guide grow lights indoors, and for young shoots, the microgreens guide.

Choosing suitable varieties

For growing indoors or in a pot, choose compact, fast-growing varieties. Herbs such as basil, chives, parsley or coriander are good choices to start with. Always read the packet: it states the sowing period, the depth and how long germination takes.

Getting your sowing right

• Depth: a simple rule is to cover the seed with two to three times its own thickness. Very fine seeds are sown on the surface and pressed lightly.
• Warmth: many herbs germinate better in the warmth. Basil, for example, comes up poorly below around twenty degrees.
• Moisture: the compost should stay cool without becoming waterlogged. A clear cover keeps humidity in until germination, then comes off.
• Light: as soon as the seedlings emerge, place them in full light, or they'll turn leggy.

Seeds from organic farming

Some of the seeds in our range come from organic farming, which is stated on their product page. They're sown and grown in the same way as the others.

Storing your seeds well

Keep opened packets in an airtight box. Germination rates decline over time, more or less quickly depending on the species: note the date you opened them and sow older seeds a little more densely.

Going further

Herb seeds can also be grown in hydroponics, as in our guide to basil in hydroponics. For sprouting seeds, see the Microgreens category.