Frequently Asked Questions

No prior experience is needed at all. Every CalyxStudio kit has been designed with first-time growers in mind. Inside each box you will find illustrated, step-by-step instructions written specifically for Irish growing conditions. We walk you through each stage, from filling pots and planting seeds to watering schedules and harvesting tips. The seeds we select are varieties known for high germination rates and tolerance of indoor conditions, so even if your only interaction with plants has been buying them at a supermarket, you should see strong results. We also have a dedicated support team based in Dublin who can answer questions by email within 24 hours on weekdays.

Much less than you might expect. Our Kitchen Herb Kit fits comfortably on a standard windowsill and takes up roughly the same area as a row of cereal boxes. The Salad Garden Kit needs approximately 60cm by 40cm of flat space, which works well on a small balcony, patio table, or even a wide shelf near a window. The Full Veggie System requires a bit more room, about the size of a small side table, and is best placed on a patio, in a back garden, or near a large window. We designed every kit to work in the kinds of spaces most Irish homes actually have, rather than assuming everyone has a full garden to work with. When you fill out the recommendation form on our homepage, we factor in your available space to suggest the kit that fits best.

You can start growing herbs indoors at any time of year, as they thrive in the relatively stable temperatures found in most Irish kitchens and living rooms. For salad greens, spring and autumn tend to produce the best results when grown near a window, though they can also succeed in summer if kept out of direct midday heat. Outdoor vegetables like tomatoes, courgettes, and peppers do best when started indoors between February and April, then moved outside or into a sunny spot once the risk of frost has passed, usually around mid-May in most parts of Ireland. Each kit includes a seasonal planting calendar that tells you exactly which month to plant each variety for your region. If you order outside the ideal planting window, we will include a storage guide so your seeds stay viable until the right time arrives.

Germination typically happens within 5 to 10 days for most of the varieties we include. You will see tiny seedlings pushing through the soil surface relatively quickly, which is one of the most satisfying parts of the process. From there, herb plants like basil and coriander are usually ready for their first light harvest within 3 to 4 weeks. Salad leaves such as rocket and lettuce can be picked as baby leaves in about 3 weeks, or left to grow larger over 5 to 6 weeks. Vegetables take longer: cherry tomatoes need roughly 8 to 12 weeks from planting to first fruit, and courgettes around 8 weeks. We set realistic expectations in each guide so you know what to look for at each stage and can feel confident that things are progressing normally.

Every CalyxStudio kit includes organic, EU-certified seeds, biodegradable growing pots made from pressed plant fibre, a premium compost blend formulated for indoor and container growing, plant identification labels, a detailed watering and care guide, and a seasonal planting calendar specific to Ireland. The Kitchen Herb Kit contains five varieties: basil, parsley, coriander, chives, and mint, each with its own labelled pot. The Salad Garden Kit includes mixed lettuce, rocket, spinach, and spring onion seeds, plus a self-watering tray that reduces the frequency of manual watering. The Full Veggie System comes with deeper pots, bamboo support stakes for climbing plants, and a bottle of organic liquid feed to sustain heavier-fruiting plants like tomatoes and courgettes through the growing season. Nothing else needs to be purchased separately to get started.

Yes, all seeds included in CalyxStudio kits are certified organic under EU organic regulations (Regulation 2018/848). We source them from established seed producers in Ireland, the Netherlands, and Italy, all of whom hold valid EU organic certification. Each seed batch is tested for germination rate before packaging, and we only include varieties with a germination rate above 85%. We chose these suppliers because they specialise in varieties suited to northern European climates, which means the plants are more likely to perform well in Irish conditions. The seed packets are labelled with the variety name, origin, lot number, and best-before date for full traceability.

Absolutely. Once you have your pots and trays from your initial kit, you can order individual refill packs for any of our available varieties. Refill packs include fresh organic seeds and a top-up compost sachet, priced from €4.95 each. We also offer a Seasonal Refill Bundle four times a year, which contains seeds selected for the upcoming growing season, delivered automatically if you sign up for our subscription. There is no commitment and you can cancel or skip any delivery. This is one of the most cost-effective ways to keep growing year-round without needing to visit a garden centre. Browse available refills on our Kits page.

At a garden centre, you typically buy seeds, compost, and pots separately, often without guidance on which products work well together or which varieties suit indoor growing in Irish homes. Our kits remove that guesswork entirely. Everything is pre-matched: the pot depth suits the root system of each variety, the compost blend is formulated for container growing rather than open ground, and the instructions are written for people growing in kitchens, balconies, and small spaces. We also test every kit configuration in our Dublin facility before offering it to customers, so we know the combination works reliably. It saves time, reduces waste from buying the wrong products, and gives you a significantly higher chance of success on your first attempt.

Yes, all of our kits can be ordered with gift-ready packaging at no extra cost. Simply select the gift option during checkout and we will wrap the kit in our branded recycled kraft paper with a hand-tied cotton ribbon. You can also add a personalised message card with up to 150 characters. Our kits are popular gifts for housewarmings, birthdays, Mother's Day, and Christmas, especially for people who enjoy cooking or are curious about growing their own food but have not tried it before. The packaging is attractive enough to present without additional wrapping, and everything inside is clearly labelled so the recipient knows exactly how to get started.

Standard delivery within Ireland takes 2 to 4 business days and is completely free on all orders, regardless of size. We ship via An Post from our warehouse on Pearse Street in Dublin 2. Orders placed before 2pm on weekdays are dispatched the same day. Once your order ships, you will receive a confirmation email with an An Post tracking number so you can follow its progress. Most customers in Dublin and surrounding counties receive their kits within 2 days, while more rural areas and western counties typically see delivery within 3 to 4 days. We dispatch Monday through Friday, excluding bank holidays.

The Kitchen Herb Kit and Salad Garden Kit are both designed to fit through a standard Irish letterbox (minimum 25cm x 3.5cm opening). This means you do not need to be at home to receive them, and there is no risk of a missed delivery card. The Full Veggie System is slightly larger due to the deeper pots and support stakes, so it may require a signature or be left in a safe place by your postal carrier. If you have specific delivery instructions (such as leaving packages with a neighbour or in a shed), you can add these during checkout and we will include them on the shipping label.

Yes, we ship to all EU member states. Delivery to mainland Europe typically takes 5 to 8 business days via tracked postal service. Shipping costs start at €6.95 for the Kitchen Herb Kit and vary slightly depending on the destination country and kit weight. All prices on our website are displayed in Euro, so there are no currency conversion surprises. Please note that while our growing guides are optimised for Irish conditions, the seed varieties we use are well-suited to most northern and central European climates. We also ship to the UK, with delivery starting at €4.95 and taking 5 to 7 business days.

Yes. All of our shipping materials are either recycled, recyclable, or compostable. The outer mailer is made from recycled cardboard and can go straight into your paper recycling bin. The growing pots are made from compressed plant fibre and will break down naturally in compost or soil over time. Seed packets are paper-based and recyclable. The compost bags are made from a compostable bioplastic that meets the EN 13432 standard. We made a conscious decision to avoid any single-use plastic in our packaging, and we review our supply chain annually to identify further improvements. This commitment extends to our warehouse operations, where we use renewable energy and minimise waste across all packing processes.

Many of the varieties in our kits have been specifically chosen for their ability to grow in moderate light conditions. Salad greens such as lettuce, spinach, and rocket actually prefer partial shade and can become bitter or bolt in too much direct sun. Herbs like mint, parsley, and chives are also tolerant of lower light levels. The key factor is that your plants receive some natural light for at least 4 hours daily, even if it is indirect. If your home gets very little daylight, we offer a compact LED grow light add-on that clips onto a shelf or pot edge, draws minimal electricity, and provides the light spectrum plants need for healthy growth. Many of our customers in north-facing Dublin apartments use this option with great success.

Watering needs vary by plant type and the conditions in your home, but as a general guide, most herbs need watering every 2 to 3 days when grown indoors, and salad greens every 1 to 2 days. The compost we include retains moisture well, which means you are less likely to under-water than with standard garden soil. The simplest way to check is to press your finger about 2cm into the compost. If it feels dry at that depth, it is time to water. If it still feels damp, wait another day. The Salad Garden Kit includes a self-watering tray with a reservoir that reduces watering to roughly twice per week. Each guide includes specific watering advice for each variety, so you do not need to remember different schedules from the start.

Thin, stretched-out seedlings are almost always a sign that the plants are not receiving enough light. They are literally reaching towards whatever light source is available, which causes them to grow tall and spindly rather than compact and sturdy. The fix is straightforward: move the pots closer to a brighter window, or rotate them daily so all sides receive light evenly. If natural light is limited, consider our LED grow light add-on, which provides consistent, full-spectrum lighting. In some cases, overcrowding can also contribute to leggy growth. If your seedlings are very dense, thin them out by gently removing the weakest ones to give the stronger plants more room. Our care guide includes a section on troubleshooting common issues like this one.

Absolutely. While our kits are designed to work indoors, they perform equally well outdoors in a sheltered spot. The biodegradable pots can be placed directly onto a patio, garden table, or raised bed area. For the best results outdoors, wait until nighttime temperatures are consistently above 8 degrees Celsius, which in most of Ireland means mid-April to early May. The Full Veggie System, in particular, benefits from outdoor growing once summer arrives, as tomatoes and courgettes produce more heavily with full natural sunlight. If you plan to grow outdoors, position your pots where they receive at least 6 hours of sunlight per day and are sheltered from strong wind. Our seasonal calendar indicates the ideal outdoor planting windows for each variety based on typical Irish weather patterns.

The technique depends on the plant type, but the general principle is to harvest from the outside in and never remove more than one third of the plant at a time. For herbs like basil, pinch off individual leaves or small stems from the top, which encourages the plant to branch out and become bushier rather than growing straight up. For parsley and coriander, cut the outer stems at the base, leaving the central growth point intact. Salad greens like lettuce and rocket can be harvested using the "cut and come again" method: snip the leaves about 3cm above the soil line and the plant will regrow from the base, giving you multiple harvests from the same planting. Cherry tomatoes should be picked when they are fully coloured and come away from the stem with a gentle twist. Each guide includes variety-specific harvesting instructions with photographs.

We offer a 30-day satisfaction guarantee on every kit. If your seeds do not germinate within the expected timeframe despite following the included instructions, or if any component of the kit is damaged or missing when it arrives, we will either replace the affected items or issue a full refund, whichever you prefer. To make a claim, simply email our support team at [email protected] with your order number and a brief description of the issue. We may ask for a photograph of the affected plants or packaging to help us improve our quality processes, but we will not make the process difficult. Most claims are resolved within 2 business days. This guarantee reflects our confidence in the kits and our commitment to making home growing accessible and low-risk.

Yes. Under EU consumer protection law, you have 14 days from the date of delivery to cancel your order for any reason. If the kit has not been opened or used, return it to us in its original packaging and we will issue a full refund including standard delivery costs. You are responsible for the return postage cost in this case. If the kit has been opened but the seeds have not been planted, we can still offer a refund minus a 15% restocking fee to cover handling and repackaging. Please note that once seeds have been planted or compost has been used, we cannot accept a return under the change-of-mind policy, though our germination guarantee still applies. To initiate a return, contact us at [email protected] with your order number.

We are sorry to hear that. Despite our best efforts with packaging, postal handling can occasionally cause issues. If your kit arrives with broken pots, torn seed packets, or any other visible damage, please take a photograph of the damage and email it to [email protected] along with your order number. We will send a replacement for the damaged items at no cost to you, typically dispatched within one business day. You do not need to return the damaged items. In rare cases where the entire kit is unusable, we will ship a complete replacement. If you notice damage on the outer packaging before opening, we recommend photographing it before unboxing, as this helps us file any necessary claims with the postal carrier and improve our packaging for future orders.

No. You can place an order as a guest by simply entering your delivery and payment details at checkout. However, creating a free account does offer a few benefits: you can track your order history, save your delivery address for quicker future orders, manage any seasonal subscription preferences, and access exclusive content like advanced growing guides and seasonal tips. Creating an account takes about 30 seconds and only requires your name and email address. We never share your data with third parties for marketing purposes. You can read more about how we handle your information in our Privacy Policy.

We accept all major credit and debit cards including Visa, Mastercard, and American Express. We also support Apple Pay, Google Pay, and PayPal for faster checkout. All payments are processed securely through Stripe, one of the most trusted payment platforms in the world, and we never store your full card details on our servers. Your payment information is encrypted using industry-standard TLS encryption. All prices on our website are displayed in Euro and include applicable VAT at the current Irish rate. You will see the full order total, including any discounts, clearly displayed before you confirm payment.

If you need to change or cancel your order, please email us at [email protected] as soon as possible. Orders placed before 2pm are dispatched the same day, so we have a limited window to make changes. If your order has not yet been dispatched, we can modify the delivery address, swap kit types (subject to availability), or cancel the order for a full refund. Once an order has been shipped, we are unable to modify it, but you can still return it under our standard returns policy after delivery. For subscription orders, you can skip, pause, or cancel any upcoming delivery through your account dashboard or by emailing our support team at least 48 hours before the scheduled dispatch date.

Our customer support team is based at our office at 42 Pearse Street, Dublin 2, D02 YX88. You can reach us by email at [email protected] or by phone at +353 1 677 8432 during business hours (Monday to Friday, 9am to 5:30pm). We aim to respond to all emails within 24 hours on weekdays. For growing advice and troubleshooting, you can also check our detailed care guides included in each kit, or browse the growing tips section of our monthly newsletter. We are always happy to help, whether you have a question about your order, need planting advice, or just want to share a photo of how your plants are doing.