Best way to germinate herbs

[greasyfire]

I bought a bunch of packet seeds of herbs, the regular ones that allways pop up. Chives basil, pasley, thyme mint and etc. I am wondering what is the best way of germinating them and what times should they be started and put out side.

[stella]

I start my parsley off on a damp bit of kitchen towel in a plastic box with the lid on. Once the seeds have germinated I move them onto the windowsill in a pot with some seed compost. They seem to do fine.

[Two_Sheds]

are there any clues on the packets?

[greasyfire]

no there are no clues what so ever.

[rustylady]

Where did you buy them Greasy? I've never ever seen packets of seeds on sale in the shops without growing instructions on the back of the packet

[Miss Jessop]

I'm sowing all of these now (with the exception of basil). I use seed compost to start off and grow in plugs for ease but seed trays or pots would be ok. Mine are covered with a propagator lid and put on a heated mat in a polytunnel. If you are doing it indoors put a sandwich bag or something similar over the pot (to keep the moisture in) and put on the windowsill. Take the bag off once they've germinated. Parsley can take a while. If you want to direct sow outside as a general rule I would say wait until April (unless its still snowing like it is here!)

[greasyfire]

I got these seeds from a garden sale unlike some carrot seeds i have got from poundshop

[gillian62]

My sweet basil has come up, but the parsley is certainly on a go slow to start with. Patience etc etc.

[elsie-scot]

these might be of help
http://www.gardening-guides.com/pdf-...wing-herbs.pdf
How to Grow Fresh Herbs - Instructions and advice (by plant type) for growing Herb Plants in Your Vegetable Garden
Best Way - Herb Growing Instructions | eHow.com
Herb Gardening Guide | Information How To Grow Culinary & Medicinal Herbs
Complete growing instructions. Herb Seed List Main Page For growinginstructions.com

[DaveJ]

From my experience it depends on where you buy the seeds. As the saying goes you get what you pay for. In the past I've bought 'own brand' seeds from some cheap stores with germination a rarity. At the moment I am growing mine on a windowsill.

[sarraceniac]

I start mine in normal MPC in my kitchen. My thyme is now outside with my chives. My mints are all just starting again and have been out all winter. My parsley is in the cold frame and my basil, which I often have trouble with is still in the kitchen window, 'cos it likes it warm.