Seed Sowing Tips

This handy guide will help you get the best results from your seeds.

Follow the instructions on the packet

This is the best way to ensure that your seeds germinate and you get the results you want from your plants. Different varieties need different conditions to germinate so it’s very important to make sure you follow the sowing instructions.

Use clean seed trays or pots

If you are using old pots, make sure that you have washed and scrubbed them well with a stiff brush. This will get rid of any diseases that may be harmful to the seeds you are about to sow.

Use new seed compost

For best results use a good seed compost, but you can use multi-purpose compost if this is all you have. Do make sure that you use new compost though, as old compost may contain weed seeds, soil-borne diseases and will probably have dried out.

Water before sowing

Fill your pots or trays with compost and use a pot tamper or flat piece of wood to lightly firm the compost. Take care not to press it down too hard, as air and water are unable to circulate freely in compacted soil. Water the compost with added Cheshunt Compound or a similar copper-based fungicide* and sow the seeds onto the damp compost. This avoids disturbing the seeds once you’ve sown them. The fungicide will help to prevent damping off, which causes seeds to wilt and rot. After sowing, make sure that the compost is consistently moist, but not waterlogged. *You will only need to apply fungicide to pot-sown seeds, not those sown direct into the soil.

Don’t sow the seeds too close together

Sowing seeds close together makes pricking out more difficult and can encourage fungal diseases. The instructions on the packet will tell you how far apart to sow the seeds.

Avoid direct sunlight

Germinate your seedlings on a bright windowsill, but don’t place them in strong sunlight as this will scorch their tender leaves.

Pricking out

Once your seeds have germinated and grown on a bit, you’ll need to take them out of the pots or trays and replant them to give them a bit more space. But don’t be in a hurry to do this. As a rule of thumb, they are normally ready for pricking out when they have fully developed two small leaves. Ease one or two seedlings out with a dibber and check that they have developed a good root first. If not, put them back into the compost and wait a few more days before checking the roots again.