Of course you can! Parsley, fennel and coriander can be sown outdoors now anyway, so they won't need hardening off. I don't sow fennel because it self sows. But I direct sowed parsley and coriander three weeks ago on the allotment. They are just coming up and will start growing away when the weather warms up. No special treatment needed. I would get your pots filled with compost and sow your seeds straight in them outside. You could put a bit of glass, plastic or cling film over the top until they germinate but it's not really necessary.

To harden plants off just put them outside one day when it is not too wet and windy. Take them in at night. Do this for a couple of days and if the weather doesn't get any colder leave them out completely after about 5 days.

Most posters on GW are in the US and their big problem is accustoming plants to harsh sunlight. For us it's getting them used to cold, wind and wet.

I still think you are over-thinking this herb growing business and making it more complicated than it needs to be.

As Flora suggests, moving plants inside for nights or inclement days is an excellent no cost scenario. I do a lot of "winter sowing." It is starting seeds (usually those that need winter to break their seed dormancy) in recycled plastic containers. As spring comes on and they start to sprout, you cut openings and open up the containers to gradually harden off your seedlings. I suppose much the same could be done to harden off wee seedlings. Kind of like mini cloches. Check out the FAQs on the Winter Sowing forum for ideas and info.

FataMorgana

Thanks alot I fired some out today.

I am trying learn these things I ah don't have anyone I can talk to and ask so I gotta turn here the jekka book is limited but who better to ask than those who are doing it now and for years believe it or not but I do listen just the mildew was bugging me but I threw away anything that had it I now only keep one indoors thats a pineapple sage rest is out the back.