Grow Your Own -Sowing Seeds

I must admit, that as a garden designer I usually restock my garden direct from the nursery or a local garden centre, mainly for time, ease and selection.

However last year, having been dazzled by an array of seeds I decided to grow my own. Some catalogues boost over 600 varieties so, whether you are into flowers, herbs or vegetables there's a massive range of plants that can be cultivated.

I found growing from seed relatively easy, but you do need a little patience and obviously some space. The packets have detailed instructions to guide you through the stages and there are numerous websites that will provide individual growing guides.

Basically, there are three key stages; sowing, pricking out and potting up. But, I did try a variety of seeds that you sow direct which were also successful and more time efficient.

Sowing

I suggest starting of with a small selection of your favourite seeds as you could end up with pots of soil all over the place. Not ideal especially if space is limited.

Seed trays with clear lids provide a one-stop solution for your initial sowing. Half fill the trays with sowing compost and firm down. Tiny seeds can be scattered over the surface of the compost. For larger seeds make a hole using a pencil and sow an individual seed. Cover over with a thin layer of fresh compost and water with slightly tepid water.

Pricking Out

When your seedlings have two or more sets of leaves and are large enough to handle it's time to give them more room to grow.

Water the seeds an hour or so before you handle them to loosen the soil and make it easier to separate the roots. Whilst you’re waiting, fill some larger pots with seed and cutting compost and using a pencil make four of five holes in the surface. Gently, tease the seedlings from the seed trays, separate and then drop the roots into the individual holes in your large pots. Water them in with some tepid water. I found a spray bottle excellent for this.

Potting Up Seedlings

Once your young seedlings have grown and matured, they will need to be potted up to their own individual pots to allow them to develop before they can be planted out.

Again, soak the seedlings before transplanting. Fill individual 3-inch (7.5cm) pots with a multi-purpose compost and make a hole in each pot big enough to take the roots. Gently dig out the plants holding onto a leaf and not the delicate stem and then drop the roots into the hole.

Keep in a frost-free place, water and feed them regularly with plant food to support the early spring growth and to ensure the best possible start.