Woolly Thoughts
Creating our First Begin to Grow Herbs Gift Set
After several false starts, the creation of a gift set for growing herbs started in the best way as a team effort. Tidying my garden shed, as I sorted through old pots, gardening gloves, and scattered seed packets, I had realised how much I enjoyed the process of growing herbs from scratch. There was something about nurturing a tiny seed and watching it become a flourishing plant that always felt magical. I wanted to share that feeling with others, so the team at JustSeed helped put together a gift set—something that would make it easy and fun for anyone, regardless of gardening experience, to start their own herb garden.
Why Woolpots?
We began with the pots. But not just any pots—these had to be unique, eco-friendly, and practical. After some research, we found Woolpots, made from knitted wool, which we instantly fell in love with. They’re natural, breathable, and help with proper root development by allowing the plant roots to "air prune," which prevents them from becoming root bound. Plus, the soft texture and warmth of the wool felt so comfortable to handle.
Handcrafted Slate Markers
Next, we needed something to label the herbs with. Rejecting plastic and wood we found these handcrafted slate markers in reclaimed Welsh blue slate, a soft, slightly imperfect look. We relished the look of the slate, its cool, matte surface and rich gray colour will make it the perfect contrast to the vibrant greens of the herbs. We chose chalk to use to handwrite the names of each herb on the slate or date of sowing, notes for the sower themselves to compose. As the chalk wears off, it will be easy to update, giving the markers a sense of longevity and flexibility.
JustSeed Herb Seeds
With the Woolpots and slate markers in place, we turned to the seeds. We carefully chose a selection of our favourite herbs—basil, chives, thyme, rosemary and oregano, a mix of annual and perennial varieties. We then compiled a little booklet about how to care for each herb, along with a few tips on how to use the Woolpots.
Hemp-wool Mulch Matting
The final touch was how to package everything. We wanted the presentation to feel like something created with the environment in mind; recyclable, reusable or home compostable, yet still practicable and thoughtful. After trying several options, we settled on hemp wool matting as the protective material for the packaging. It is eco-friendly, biodegradable, and adds a lovely texture to the whole set. The matting cradles the Woolpots, packets of seeds and slate markers perfectly, keeping everything secure and cushioned without relying on plastic or bubble wrap. The natural, soft fibres of the hemp wool feel like the perfect way to wrap up something that is all about sustainability and nurture.
Finally ...
As we assemble our first Begin to Grow Herbs Gift Sets, we can't help but smile. Arranged carefully inside a rigid luxury A6 box, lining the bottom with the hemp wool matting, the Woolpots and slate markers are placed just so. Then chalk and booklet, we add the seed packets last, before lining and fitting the lid. A sleeve, designed by Lucy encircles the box to keep the contents secure. The whole set looks beautiful - simple, useful, and purposeful.
We envisage someone receiving it, unwrapping each piece, and feeling inspired to start their own little garden, even if they’d never planted a thing before.
Creating this herb-growing gift set was more than just about packaging up some supplies. It was about crafting an experience, one that connects people to gardening and the joy of growing their own food, no matter how small. We are proud of our final product, knowing that it was a gift we would have wanted to receive ourselves, something that feels both practical and heartfelt.
Wrapping it all up, I know it is something we can be proud of. Come take a look for yourselves....Begin to Grow Herbs Gift Set
