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Monty Don shares a wealth of tips in this step-by-step guide to sowing seed indoors. Learn about the best compost mix for seedlings, how to cover freshly planted seeds and discover an ingenious method for boosting light levels during the early

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

Free-draining compost or cactus compostSilver sandNewspaperSheet of glassPencil (to prick out)Seed trayall year round20 minutes to sowFill a broad terracotta pot with a moist, gritty, loam-based compost, such as John Innes. Firm down and make the surface level

Chilli plants will thrive on a sunny window sill or in a greenhouse. They have a long cropping season, so you could still be harvesting fresh chillies in December. You will need just two small pots to sow your chilli seeds; use a good quality seed

Basil is an easy herb to grow, and does well on a warm, sunny window sill. After about five weeks, the seeds will be ready for pricking out. You can keep basil plants indoors all summer, or transplant them outside in late-May. Basil seeds

Growing herbs from seed discs is a simple alternative for anyone who struggles with sowing small herb and salad seeds. These are filled with seeds for herbs such as basil, chives and parsley, or salads such as mixed leaves, mesclun or rocket.Seed

supply of salad throughout the year. You can sow seeds indoors from March, but from late-May you should be able to sow seeds directly into pots outside.Salad leaf seeds e.g. 'Mizuna', 'Mibuna'Good quality multi-purpose compostLarge flower pot

.springMore on sowing seedsSowing seeds indoorsCollecting and saving seedsSowing seeds outdoorsBrowse vegetable varieties Grow chillies from seed

on growing citrus plantsHow to sow seeds indoors

Video advice on growing salad leaves from seedHow to plant out lettucesHow to deal with lettuce grey mouldGrowing quick salads in gutteringHow to sow seeds indoorsHow to grow rocket from seed