Growing from seed is not difficult, provided you follow some basic rules you will have a garden ful of new plants all summer at a fraction of the costs omapred with buying mature plants. Whether you are looking for Flower Seeds or Vegetable seeds take a peek here to find seeds recommended by ‘Which Magazine’ as a ‘Best Buy’.

The whole purpose of starting seeds indoors is to cheat winter a little. Ironically, even as we cheat nature, we must imitate her. Light, soil, water, air, and a basic understanding of the process of germination are all you need.

Once you know the simple things a seed requires, starting them indoors won’t seem half as complicated.

Seeds are their own energy source, a plant in embryo form. They store energy in a form that is released and used only when water, oxygen, soil, and a close-to-ideal temperature are a part of their surroundings. The proper time for sowing seeds for transplants depends upon when plants may safely be moved outdoors. This period may range from 4 to 12 weeks prior to transplanting depending upon the speed of germination, the rate of growth, and the cultural conditions provided.

A common mistake is to sow seed too early and then attempt to hold the seedlings back under poor light or improper temperature ranges. This usually results in tall, weak, and spindly plants which do not perform well in the garden.

Use a John Innes seed compost, alternatively use a multi-purpose compost mixed with vermiculite or horticultural sand. Unlike potting composts, seed composts have few nutrients in them. The lack of nutrients ensures that there is unlikely to be any fertilizer damage to tender seedlings and that the growth of moss and liverworts is impaired. Seed trays are purpose made for the job but you can use small flower pots, egg containers, yogurt cartons indeed any small container will do provided it is clean.

Plant the seed according to the instruction on the packet. Some seeds may only need to be placed on the surface for them to germinate. Moisten the surface with a fine spray of water. Keep the compost continually moist until the seeds have germinated. At this point the containers should be put into a place where they will get bright light, some sunlight if possible. Be sure the spot has good air circulation. Temperatures should range about 65F to 70F (18C to 21C), for starting seeds, or a little cooler if the seeds tend to get too leggy. As the seedlings grow, be sure to turn the container occasionally so the young plants do not grow lopsided toward the light.

The first leaves that appear from your seedlings are the seed leaves, above them will develop a new set of leaves, these are the first true plant leaves. When your seedlings have developed their first true leaves then its time for you to prick the out. Its very important that great care is taken when lifting seedlings out with your fingers. Pick the seedling up by a seed leaf (the lower leaves) and not by the stem. The stems are very delicate at this early stage in life, the smallest of pressure will destroy the seedling.

Potting On
When the seedlings are starting to out grow their space, then you need to ‘Pot on’ or move them to a more spacious environment. Don’t be tempted to pot one young plant into a large plant pot expecting that it will love it there. Young plants prefer to grow in small pots rather than large ones. Finally when the risk of frost has passed the young plants can be ‘hardened off’ by moving them outdoors for a few hours a day gradually acclimatising them to a cooler environment before planting out either in beds or containers.

Why not try ‘Plug Plants?
If growing from seed is not your cup of tea then plug plants offer a great alternative to getting a head start on Winter. There are many varieties to choose from including those best suited to hanging baskets, Trailing Fuchsia, Trailing Geraniums, and Impatiens (Bizzie Lizzies).

Treat newly selected plug plants the same as potted on seedlings. Keep on a warm window sill, water and feed often until the plant is ready to pot on to another larger  container.  A couple of dozen plug plants started now will give  mature plants ready for those summer baskets or containers once the frosts have past.

Top Tip
Grow six trailing fuchsia plug plants until  May, plant in a 14” basket and you will have a stunning display until the autumn frosts.

These are just a few ideas for you to try, if you want more detailed information and advice please visit

Have a look at a time lapse vid of seedlings growing….