FAQ

When you have just sown the seeds (during the germination phase), herb seeds don’t need to be kept in a sunny position (with the exception of Lemon Balm). Once your seeds have sprouted, transfer them to a full sun or part shade position depending on the type (refer to the seed packet or Grow page for specifics). After germination, they will require 6 to 8 hours of sunlight per day for optimum growth.

When sowing herb seeds, only cover them with a few millimetres of soil (refer to the seed packet or Grow page for specifics) so that once they emerge, they will strengthen and develop as they grow via photosynthesis.

Seeds germinate at different rates. Anywhere from 5 days in the case of Lemon Balm up to 28 days for Parsley (refer to the seed packet or Grow page for specifics).

Most seeds will grow well in the spring and summer, growth will slow into Autumn and Winter. Growing your herbs inside during the cooler months will help with germination. A grow light will also help them to grow year round. As with all plants, there are certain times of the year when they will have optimum growth.

Some seeds take longer to germinate than others so please refer to the approximate time frame provided on the seed packet or Grow page). Other factors that may affect the germination rate are; The amount of water. Soil should be kept moist - not overly wet or dry. How often you water will depend on the time of year, as during the warmer months your seeds will require more water. Keep an eye on the colour of the soil, if it’s light brown it could be drying out. Don’t be afraid to touch the soil to feel how wet it is. How compact the soil is in your pot. Please follow the instruction booklet when preparing your soil pellets. Ensure they have expanded fully and have been aerated so they are light and fluffy. This will allow the roots to grow downwards with ease and remain well oxygenated. Amount of sunlight per day. Your seeds should receive between 6 to 8 hours of sunlight per day to enable optimum growth. Less hours will result in slower growth. (refer to the seed packet or Grow page for specifics)

If you find that your herbs are getting crowded, you can thin them out, taking sections of the plant & rootbase & planting them in other pots or the garden bed. You can continue this process as more grow in their place.

Vegetable seeds need to be soaked - refer to your seed packet or Grow section of the website for the number of hours. As for herb seeds, there are differing views on whether you should soak your seeds before sowing them. Soaking seeds can help them to germinate more quickly however it can cause them to develop mould if you soak them for too long. It also makes very small seeds like Mint and Chamomile hard to handle. If you choose to soak your seeds then 2 to 3 hours is enough, otherwise put them directly into the moist soil that you have prepared.

Check the soil each day by placing your fingers lightly on the surface to check that it’s moist. If not, then give it a spray with water. There is no definitive answer to this question as it will depend on how quickly the soil dries out due to the amount of sunlight and air temperature.

Once you have prepared the soil pellets by soaking them in warm water to become light and fluffy, the soil is ready to place in your pots. The amount of moisture present in the soil at this time is a good indicator of the way you should aim to keep the soil. Lightly touch the surface of the soil to check the moisture content and spray with water if required. Don’t overwater as this will cause the soil to compact.

Congratulations on growing your herbs. You can now either leave them in your pots and snip pieces as you require for your cooking, drinks or tea, or you can transplant them into the garden to become more prolific. Either way, they will need a nutrient boost and this can be provided by watering them with an organic fertiliser mixed at half strength.

These are seeds that have been passed down through generations by collecting the seeds from the parent plant and sowing them the following year. To be classified as heirloom, they are generally over 50 years old.

Not all organic seeds will be heirloom, but in most cases, heirloom seeds will be organic. General consensus is that an heirloom seed comes from a parent line that is over 50 years old, and farming practises at that time were organic. Organic farming practises are still used currently on heirloom seeds, however organic farming is also used on non heirloom seeds. Heirloom refers to the heritage of a plant, while organic refers to a growing practice.