What is the best way to start growing herbs from home?

I want to start growing homemade herbs for cooking, such as sage, thyme, parsley, etc. I live in an apartment that has an outside porch with a roof, could I just put seeds in sod in a planter and wait?

Related posts:

  1. Q&A: What is the best way to start growing herbs from home?
  2. herbs…….?
  3. Growing herbs and need ideas for using them?