http://theherbgardener.blogspot.de/2013/04/how-to-grow-valer...If you really want to try growing valerian from seed: Unlike basil and other hardy herb seeds that can stay viable in storage for years, germination rates for valerian seeds are iffy at the best of times, so get your seeds while they're hot (uh, fresh) and use them soon after purchase. Plant them in rich, well worked, loose soil to a depth of an 1/8 inch or so.
You can plant seeds directly in the garden in spring (they're frost hardy), but watch out for birds. Seeds germinate close to the surface and need a bit of light to quicken, so they're good candidates for predation. Keep them uniformly moist and they should germinate in a week to 10 days. You can also start seeds indoors. (You'll almost always obtain the best results by reading and following the instructions on the seed packet you buy.)