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Overview
Growing from seed is a simple and economical way of raising new plants for your garden. First master the techniques by sowing annuals in spring that will reward you with flowers in summer, then use these basic skills to grow perennials, trees and shrubs. If you're new to gardening, limit yourself to growing one or two types of annuals. Sow about 20 seeds to see how you get on. You can always sow more a week or two later.
Do it:
February - April
Takes just:
30 minutes to sow and 30 minutes to pot on
How to do it
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Fill small pots or seed trays with seed compost. Use a watering can fitted with a fine rose to moisten compost. Leave pots to drain. -
Sprinkle seeds evenly and thinly over the surface of the compost, leaving approx 2cm - 3cm between each one. Cover seeds with a thin layer of compost. -
Cover pot with a sheet of glass or an inverted polythene bag. Place on a well-lit windowsill or in a heated propagator. Keep compost moist. -
Remove cover as soon as seedlings emerge and grow on in a warm place indoors. They are ready to be 'pricked' out when the first 'true' leaves emerge. -
Only handle seedlings by their first seed leaves. Fill a seed tray with seed compost and plant seedling about 5cm apart, burying the root up to the base of the first leaves. -
After six weeks, the young plants will be large enough to pot individually into 7.5cm pots. After three weeks, transfer on to larger pots.
"Don't sow seeds too close together as they can be more prone to dying or 'damping off'."
