Growing from seeds
Before buying seed you will need to consider whether you are going to grow them. Have you got a greenhouse, shed, garage or will you be growing them on the window sill? Remember that one full tray of seeds will, when they are seedlings, need 'pricking out' and will then fill two or three trays or lots of pots.
Fill a seed tray with standard seed growing compost and firm the compost down. Sow the seeds into the surface and cover the seeds by sprinkling or sieving on some compost. Water the seed tray using a fine mist sprayer - this will ensure compost is moist, but not water-logged. Keep a daily check on the new seeds for signs of growth, remembering to keep the compost moist. When seedlings appear, remove cover and place tray in a well lit area.
If you have seeds that need to germinate in the dark, just place a newspaper on top. Seeds that need extra warmth as well as dark could be placed in your airing cupboard, if you have room.
When the seedlings have grown they need to be transplanted into new trays or pots, to give them more space to grow and flourish. The time to 'prick' your seedlings out is when the second set of leaves appear (the first set are the seed leaves, the second set will appear above the seed leaves). Be careful as you prick the seedlings out, since the stems are very delicate and too much pressure will destroy them.
When the seedlings start to outgrow their space you will need to pot them on, but remember small plants love small pots - don't be tempted to use large pots.
Come spring-time your young plants will need to be hardened off, or gradually introduced to the colder climate of the outdoor world. Do this by placing them in a frame or cloche. Each day, for a few hours at a time, you can allow a little more outside ventilation to reach your plants. Always protect and keep your young plants away from being exposed to the night or frosty air.
Once the weather has warmed up and the frosts have passed, the time is right to plant out your young plants.
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