STEP BY STEP

How to sow veg seeds direct on to garden soil outside

1 Insert a string line into an area of weed-free soil to mark out a row where you want to sow your crop.

2 Use the tip of a trowel to make a shallow trench (sometimes called a drill) along the row, to sow into.

3 Sprinkle a layer of fine compost into the bottom of the trench, then scatter the seeds evenly on top.

4 Water gently. Use a watering can with a fine rose attached to the spout if watering very small seeds.

Dos and don’ts

✔DO sow seed ‘thinly’, avoiding sowing clusters or piles of seed along a row

✔DO check seed packs to make sure that the seed hasn’t passed its expiry. Germination rates for old seed can be hit and miss

✔DO water the area where you have sown again if there is no rain for a week

DON’T forget to label the area. Use a waterproof pen to write the label.

DON’T sow directly onto a soil surface that is hard and compacted.

DON’T give up on seeds if germination is slow. Give the seeds at least three weeks to germinate before starting again.

Key points

Veg seeds can be sown direct onto the soil from spring to autumn, starting with hardy broad beans, peas and beetroot in early spring and finishing with quick-growing salads that can be sown in late summer to pick in autumn. There are also broad beans and peas that can be sown in late winter in mild areas.