Tips for sowing seeds Learn techniques for successful germination
The act of sowing a seed is perfectly simple, but making sure you always read the packet, plan ahead and find the right method will ensure successful germination every time
Choose your sowing method
Direct sowing If you’re sowing seeds for vegetables that have tap roots, such as carrots, parsnips and turnips, or don’t want the hassle of replanting seeds from trays, direct sowing is best into fine, weed-free soil. If planting in rows, draw your trowel or tool edge along the soil to create a shallow channel. Sow seed thinly according to the seed packet instruction, then draw the soil back over the seeds and gently water. If your seeds are of a reasonable size to handle individually, you can use a dibber to create small holes and space your seeds out accordingly. Label at both ends of the row to avoid confusion come spring.
Sowing under glass If the soil isn’t warm enough outside (see the section on temperature) or is too heavy, or you want to give your seedlings a sure start, try sowing in pots indoors or in a greenhouse. Water your compost first, then gently press it into a container to get rid of any air holes. Small seeds work best in a seed tray, large seeds in small pots. Evenly space your seeds in their container, leaving enough room to enable you to thin the plants out without damaging them and ensure that the seeds don’t compete and stunt growth. Cover with a thin layer of seed compost and label. Some gardeners like to use a top dressing of vermiculite to help regulate moisture. Once your seedlings have their first set of true leaves, thin out and pot on, eventually planting them out to their final position once all risk of frost has passed. Multiblock sowing Multiblock sowing uses less compost and takes less time as you can plant multiple vegetables all at once. Seeds are grown in clusters to create ‘baby’ vegetables, ideal for leeks, onions and round carrots. Fill a module tray with pre-watered compost and sow three to five seeds in a shallow hole, then lightly cover with grit. Do not thin out the seedlings, but wait for their first true leaves to grow, then plant them out to the correct spacing as directed on the seed packet.
Other tips for success…
Plan ahead Use a calendar to plan your crops for the year ahead and ensure your kitchen garden flourishes all year round. As well as learning when to expect fresh produce, this will deter gluts and shortages. There is a lot you can sow successionally to ensure a longer harvest. In the UK, seed sowing generally begins in February with salad crops and finishes in autumn with planting broad beans for the following summer. Choose fresh compost Fresh, shop-bought products are best; they generally encourage more germination than homemade composts as they are free from pests and diseases and have low levels of nutrients (high levels are unnecessary for seeds to grow). Stored compost from the previous year will have deteriorated, so is best avoided. Check the temperature Before direct sowing outside, check that the soil is sufficiently warm – ideally above 8°C. Don’t be put off if it’s not quite warm enough, as some crops germinate at lower temperatures. Otherwise, use horticultural fleece, available from garden centres, to generate warmth and protect newly sown areas.
Use eco containers Garden centres have started to introduce recyclable containers, but you can save money and resources by reusing old plastic pots (make sure to wash them first) or everyday packaging found at home. Egg boxes and fruit and vegetable punnets work well as containers for small seeds, and cardboard tubes from toilet rolls are suitable for larger seeds.
Don’t forget…
If you don’t want to sow seed or miss the ideal month, you can buy plug plants, ready to simply plant up into your own plot. This is also a good way of trying just a few of a wide range of veg to see which you enjoy growing most.
You’ll find more tips on seed sowing at rhs.org.uk.
Turn the page for our favourite seed suppliers.