[Snap Dragon]

My daughter has just come home from Brownies with 2 small pots of compost that apparently contain herb seeds. The Leader looked blank when I asked what herbs they are so I guess we'll have to wait and see.

I've watered them as the compost was bone dry and put them on my brightest sunniest window sill but is there a general rule of thumb for herbs?

Do they need to be placed in a polythene bag?
Do they needs lots of warmth?

I'll post a piccy as soon as I see any signs of life to see if we can I.D. them.

[sunshineband]

It does depend what they are really 

If they are in a reasonably warm room I daresay they will come up eventually but generally herbs like to be kept cosy, so you could lay a sheet of newspaper over the top of the compost as this will help keep heat in and cooling draughts off the surface.

Wonder what they'll turn out to be 

[purplebean]

I sowed basil, chives, garlic chives and parsley in pots on the windowsill on 31st Jan. The basil was through in a week no sign of the others yet. I do a few herbs like this most years at this time as they usually do OK on the windowsill and it lets me get sowing 

[madcat]

One year the sunday times gave away pkts of mixed herb seeds on the front of the magazine.  Several (!) years later I planted them.  As I remember I put them out in May after the frosts in a planter of damp compost, sprinkle the seeds, cover with a thin layer of more compost and a sheet of glass over the  top to keep them a bit warmer and drier.  When the early ones germinated - which took several weeks from the first to the last - I took the glass off and just kept them damp.  Not wet, or they would have rotted off. Gave me a good if peculiar crop - not a mix I would have put together, but hey, it was free!   

given how early in the year it is, you are going to need a sunny, draught free window ledge. A plastic bag would help until they germinate but take it off as soon as the first ones are up.

[arugula]

My daughter has just come home from Brownies with 2 small pots of compost that apparently contain herb seeds. The Leader looked blank when I asked what herbs they are so I guess we'll have to wait and see.

........

I'll post a piccy as soon as I see any signs of life to see if we can I.D. them.

I don't know why I find that astonishing I can't add anything to the good advice thats been given already, but I'm sure looking forward to seeing what these "herbs" are. "What do you mean you need to know what they are. They're herbs!". 

[allstars_princess]

I love when people say stuff like "its a plant" - of course it is but which one! 

I run a childrens' gardening club and we planted some peas this week.  One little boy asked me if he could eat the peas that grew from the seeds.  Before I could answer 'yes' his mum said "of course not these are just peas for looking at" I thought she was being silly with him until I saw her serious face.  It took me 5 mins of explaining that this is how we grow peas to eat before she believed me! 

I AM STILL SHOCKED 

[Snap Dragon]

I love when people say stuff like "its a plant" - of course it is but which one! 

I run a childrens' gardening club and we planted some peas this week.  One little boy asked me if he could eat the peas that grew from the seeds.  Before I could answer 'yes' his mum said "of course not these are just peas for looking at" I thought she was being silly with him until I saw her serious face.  It took me 5 mins of explaining that this is how we grow peas to eat before she believed me! 

I AM STILL SHOCKED 

It's amazing isn't it 

These are the people that are raising/teaching our next generation! Quite scary

Thanks for all your replies peeps.... I've placed them in a poly bag and am waiting for the first signs of life!

Watch this space