Guide to Sowing Seeds

Surely everybody, if they had the time, would love to grow their own plants and vegetables etc., from seed and have the satisfaction of knowing that they produced them literally from scratch.

Here are some simple pointers for propagating plants to help you to success:

Sowing Seeds in a Seed Tray

1. Fill the tray with seed compost and firm it down evenly to 1cm (1/2in) from the top. A wooden tamper cut the same size as the inside of the tray, with a handle attached, will help you to get a perfect surface.
2. Scatter seeds thinly and evenly. Large ones can be placed individually, but tap smaller seeds directly from the packet. Mix dust-like seed with a little sand to make it more visible and thus easier to get an even spread.
3. Cover the seeds with finely sieved compost — not much deeper than the thickness of each seed. You can sieve directly into the tray or sprinkle by hand. Fine seeds may need no covering — follow advice on the packet.
4. Water the compost, then cover the tray with a sheet of glass or polythene. An additional sheet of newspaper reduces condensation and shades tiny seeds which are not buried.

Sowing Seeds in Pots

1. Small quantities of seeds can be sown in a 7.5cm (3in) pot. (Larger half pots or margarine tubs are also suitable, but deep pots waste compost.) Fill with seed compost and sow as for trays. Label it and keep the compost moist by putting the pot into a transparent polythene bag.
2. Prick a few holes in the bag for ventilation and secure it with a rubber band. Stand the pot in a warm, shady place such as an airing cupboard or shaded window-sill until the seeds have germinated. Look at the pot every day — some species germinate very quickly, others take some time.
3. If a lot of moisture forms on the inside of the bag, turn it inside out daily. After seedlings have emerged, remove the polythene bag and put the pot in a brighter position. If they are left in the dark seedlings will grow very straggly and soon die. Watch out for damping-off disease.

Sowing Seeds Outdoors

1. Sow seeds thinly to avoid the need for too much thinning later on. Tip a small quantity into the palm of your hand then, taking some between the finger and thumb of your other hand, dribble them evenly into the drill.
2. Another method is to sow three or four seeds at regular intervals — known as station sowing. The only thinning then needed is to remove all but the strongest seedling plant at each of the stations.
3. Informal drifts of hardy annuals can be broadcast-sown. Mark out the planting layout with shallow furrows or trails of sand, then simply scatter seeds thinly over each of the patches and rake in lightly.

Making a Seed Drill

1. On light soils, make short drills by pressing the handle of a rake or hoe into the surface. (Do not use this technique on heavy soils.) Rows of vegetables get more even sunshine if you run the drill from north to south.
2. Short drills can also be scratched out using the pointed end of a plant label or a piece of stick. Mark out the rows with a peg at each end and make them as straight as possible. Avoid standing on the sowing area.
3. For longer drills, use the corner of a draw hoe or the edge of a rake. Keeping the blade against a taut line stretched between two pegs as a guide, pull the hoe or rake towards you in short, gentle strokes.

Pricking Out

1. Pricking out should be done as soon as the seedlings have produced their first true leaves — the time for this varies according to species. Gently ease up a small clump of seedlings with some compost intact, using a plant label or small dibber.
2. Make spaced holes in the potting compost with a pencil or dibber. Gently tease away seedlings from the lifted clump and place them singly in each hole, holding a seed leaf, never the stem — damaged stems invariably result in death. Firm in lightly and water.

Damping Off

This common disease turns the base of the seedling brown and kills it. Avoid sowing too thickly and don't overwater. Remove dead seedlings immediately. Treat with thiram or benomyl as routine, and immediately the disease strikes.