New indoor herb growing from seed

glasgowdan

Can anyone help with a few tips on starting off a mini indoor herb garden please? I've got a shelf in my sunroom by a south facing window a good 4ft wide and loads of herb seeds. 

What's the best way to set them up? Will seeds sown indoors now work well? 

Should pots be covered until germination?

What's the best growing media? 

I have a big plastic tray - can pots be sat directly on it or should they be raised a bit? 

Thanks!

BobTheGardener

Depends which herbs, glasgowdan.  Some are outdoor plants (sage, rosemary for instance) and some appreciate being under glass, like basil.  Most should germinate even at this time of the year but whether you'll get much from some types is a doubt.  MPC is fine for both germinating and growing herbs.

Helix

Don’t leave pots in direct sun while germinating as will dry out surface too much.

indoor plants I usually have in trays on some damp gravel so they can have a bit of humidity around them. 

Things like chervil and coriander I grow in relays all year and harvest when young.  Parsley can be grumpy, and refuse to germinate.  Basil and chives are usually easy.  Thyme doesn't like being indoors. 

Fairygirl

@glasgowdan - I grow basil on the kitchen windowsill [same aspect as you have] and it usually lasts until about October with successive sowings. I don't bother after that until the following spring. MPC is fine for it. Never a problem germinating there either. Just in pots on a tray, which I split and repot once they're big enough.
I keep rosemary undercover over winter, but I put it outside in summer. It really doesn't do very well outside here during the colder months, so I expect you could keep it there for the winter.
Chives stay outdoors, but you could keep them inside, although that aspect would be a bit too much for them over summer I reckon. They prefer cooler conditions.