So what methods do you use
For basil? Nothing special. Fill a 12cm pot with standard potting mix, sprinkle some basil seeds on top, top that up with a very thin layer of fine soil (minus the larger particles), water, place on window sill, wait. Once they start sprouting, I like to remove a few sprouts to keep it to maybe 2 to 3 plants per pot. No need to repot basil, but you may want to repeat the process every other month if you want a steady supply. I found that basil grows much bigger and stronger outside in the sun than on the window sill, but unless you need a lot, that's not really necessary.