5 simple steps to grow plants from seed
Growing plants from scratch might seem daunting, but it doesn’t have to be. Growing seeds is a simple and cheap way to add a touch of green to your house, and there’s nothing quite as satisfying as nurturing your seedlings into herbs you can eat or flowers that bees love.
Ready, set, #GiveItAGrow.
Start small by planting “cut and grow” lettuce or fast-growing herbs like oregano or thyme. These can be grown both indoors and outdoors as long as they get enough sun.
Micro-leaves can be grown inside year-round and like the name suggests, they don’t need a lot of space. Have a go at some unusual varieties like Amaranth, purple basil or Kale ‘Red Russian’ – find more here.
Grow plants that suit your space. Get a lot of light? Nasturtium is a colorful, edible flower that enjoys full sun and is good for first-timers. Shading setting? Check out Gardener’s World top tips for shade loving plants. Pick “perennials” (plants that come back year after year) to get more bang for your buck.
Get to know your seeds. It sounds pretty simple but seed packets are like manuals for your plant, and reading them closely is the first step to getting to know how to care for them.
Follow the instructions for how, where and when to sow your seeds and you’ll be more likely to see(d) the fruits of your labour.
Keep hold of your seed pack so you can refer back to it as your seeds grow.
Choose the right soil. Your seed pack will have tips on what soil your seeds will grow best in. If growing indoors, avoid using soil from your garden as it can bring pests and plant diseases into your home or greenhouse.
Opt for organic soil if possible, and always keep it peat-free, as taking peat from its natural environment destroys habitats. Keep your soil fresh and happy by storing it somewhere dry like a garage or basement. It’s worth checking your soil every couple of months to make sure it stays dry and isn’t growing anything it shouldn’t.
Give your plant a suitable home. Check the packet to see how much space your seeds need and make sure to have proper drainage by adding holes in the bottom of the pot or by placing small stones or broken crockery at the bottom of the container. Why not make your own plant pot or container from things you have at home? Click here for a simple guide.
Grow your seedlings
For this stage you’ll need
An old egg carton or two, scissors.
Potting soil, peat free.
Seeds of your choice.
A tray (to place the egg carton on).
First cut the cups of your egg carton apart so you have a section per egg. Next look at the seed packet and add soil so that you’re able to plant the seed inline with the recommended planting depth. Then add 3-4 seeds per cup. Space them out and cover with a thin layer of soil. Not every seed will actually sprout, but that sprouted seeds will need room and soil resources for nutrients.
Finally, put the egg cups on the tray, water lightly and place your seed cups in a warm part of the house, an airing cupboard or a sunny spot is ideal, the top of a radiator is not… You might want to cover the cups with plastic bottles which have been cut in half to keep them a little warmer. Water lightly regularly. Soggy is not a good look.