3 Easy Steps to Growing Plants from Seed

 3 Easy Steps to Growing Plants from Seed

Growing your own plants from seed is one of the most exciting and rewarding aspects of gardening. This article will focus on growing seeds from packets purchased at a garden centre. The instructions are critical, so keep the packet even if you have used all of the seeds. 

When the seeds germinate, the first thing you'll notice are the seed leaves these are two small round leaves that look the same on all plants. Then the first true leaves will appear, and this is the time to transplant the seedlings into new containers.

Growing your own plants from seed can be one of the most exciting and rewarding aspects of gardening. Of course, it is a very cheap way to grow the number of plants you require for your garden or containers.

This article will focus on growing seeds from packets purchased at a garden centre, as this is the simplest way to get started. On the front of these packets will be a picture, and on the back will be growing instructions, including germination times and the best time of year to sow. The instructions are critical, so keep the packet even if you have used all of the seeds!

1. Required equipment:

- Use clean pots or seed trays with drainage holes that aren't too flimsy. - Seed compost or multi-purpose compost works just as well.

- Clear plastic bags or cling film or propagator - Vermiculite - can be used instead of compost to give the seeds a light covering - Dibber or pencil and widger or teaspoon - Small watering can with fine rose water

- Plant labels – white plastic ones are inexpensive.

2. Planting the seed:

- Fill your pots or seed trays with compost to about 1 cm below the rim and water well. - For small seeds, tip them into the palm of your hand and lightly tap it with your other hand to sprinkle the seeds thinly on to the compost. - For large seeds, push the seed into the compost until it is just covered by its own depth of compost. - Cover the seeds thinly with a little compost.

- Place the pots or trays in a large loose plastic bag or propagator, or wrap in cling film.

- Keep them in a warm, light location, such as a windowsill but out of direct sunlight. - Water gently if the compost becomes dry.

3. Pricking out and germination:

When the seeds germinate, the first thing you'll notice are the seed leaves, which are two small round leaves that look the same on all plants. Then the first true leaves appear, and you can tell that these tiny leaves are similar to those on the mature plant. This is the time to transplant the seedlings into new containers.

- Fill clean 9 cms pots or seed trays with fresh compost and water thoroughly. - Gently loosen each seedling from its pot/tray with a widger or the handle of a teaspoon, holding the seedling by its seed leaf. - Make a hole in the new compost with a dibber or pencil and gently lower the seedling into the hole, making sure that all the roots are tucked into the hole and the seed leaves are just above the surface.

- Keep in bright light, but not direct sunlight, and check on a regular basis. Keep watered, but not soggy - Once the roots have filled the pots or trays, it is time to plant them in the garden, either in containers or in the garden border.

It's not as difficult as you might think, but it does require some thought and care: keep the equipment clean to avoid disease or infection; don't over-water; provide enough light; handle gently; and check regularly.