Sowing Seeds

Follow our practical guide on sowing seeds

There’s nothing more satisfying than watching your own plants grow from seed. It can give you real pleasure watching your empty-looking pot / seed tray come to life with seedlings, and it’s your nurturing that achieves it.

Sow to grow

The majority of seeds require moisture and warmth to get them started. Other seeds require cold and light stimulation. And some seeds that are planted in early Spring usually need a little heated propagator treatment (bottom heat) to help them along so that they are productive in the same season.

Growing your own vegetables, herbs and flowers from seed can be quite easy if you follow some simple guidelines.

Always follow the instructions given on any seed packets that you buy as they will indicate the best times of year to sow different types of seeds.

• Fill your pot(s) with compost and firm down gently
• Shake the seed packet gently to loosen the seeds
• Open the seed packet and pour a few of the seeds into the palm of your hand
• For tiny seeds, simply scatter them over the top of the compost
• For larger seeds make holes in the compost with some form of dibber (a pencil will do) and place these larger seeds individually into the holes that you have created
• Cover the seeds with a thin layer of compost
• Water your pot(s) with some tepid water
• Label your pot(s) with today’s date and the variety of seed used
• Place your pot(s) in a suitable place to encourage germination, eg for seeds that require heat, place them in a propagator, and for those seeds that need a frost-free environment, place them in a greenhouse, polytunnel, or on your windowsill
• Job done.