young plants

Many plants can be grown from seed. Their requirements for temperature, light, best time for sowing and after care will be clearly marked on the seed packet. Look out for varieties that are marked as 'F1 Hybrid'. These have been specially bred to have many more attractive blooms and more vigour than standard types.

Some seed can be sown directly in garden soil, others need to be sown in compost early in the year so that you can have plants ready to flower or crop in the same season.

Note that seeds labelled 'Hardy' are just that whereas those marked 'Half Hardy' aren't hardy at all, but will be killed if subject to frost.

Sowing Seed Outdoors

Hardy annual flower seeds and seeds of some vegetables can be sown outdoors in garden soil where they are to grow to maturity.

Popular hardy annual flowers include alyssum, calendula, candytuft, chrysanthemum, convolvulus, delphinium, Californian poppy, godetia, gypsophila, helichrysum, larkspur, lavatera, limnathes, linaria, nasturtium, love-in-a-mist, clary, scabious and sunflower.

Hardy vegetable seed that can be sown where it is to crop include the root vegetables that don't like transplanting such as carrots, parsnips, beetroot, radish and salsify. Peas, broad beans and spinach are also sown in positions where they are to crop.

Getting the best results:

1. Clear any weeds before you start with a weed killer that allows immediate sowing of seeds.
2. Prepare the soil so that it is broken down into fine crumbs on the surface. Enrich the soil with a slow release plant food.
3. Sow seeds at the right time. The seed packet will tell you the approximate time, but the weather and soil conditions in your garden will guide you precisely. Seeds will only germinate when it's warm enough - fresh weed growth will indicate when this time has arrived.
4. Use the side of a rake to make a shallow V-shaped drill in the soil surface about 2cm (1in) deep. Check to see that the soil at the bottom of this straight row is moist. If it's not then get watering.
5. Sow fine seeds thinly as recommended on the packet, filling in the drill with more soil. Large seeds of broad beans and peas are sown in wide drills and positioned individually.
6. Press the soil down over the seeds and gently firm the surface. Don't water.

Sowing seeds indoors

This technique is used for tender plants that take months from sowing seed to flowering but can't be planted out until frosts have finished. These half hardy annuals and half hardy perennials include aster, begonia, geranium, petunia, busy lizzie, French marigold and dahlia. Some vegetables are best grown in this way and include tomatoes, runner beans, sweet peppers and cucumbers.

Getting the best results:

1. Use a clean plastic seed tray for small seeds or individual pots for large seeds.
2. Fill the container with a suitable seed compost.
3. Firm lightly with a piece of board and water the compost with tepid water.
4. Sow the seed thinly and check with the seed packet to see if they should be covered with more compost. Cover thinly if recommended.
5. Cover with a clear plastic bag and keep in a heated greenhouse or on a shaded windowsill where the temperature can be kept at a consistent 14°C - 18°C (60°F - 70°F).
6. As soon as the seedlings pop through remove the bag and keep in a light position. Turn the tray or pot regularly.
7. When the first set of true leaves have emerged, transplant into trays filled with a rich compost or all purpose growing compost. Give them enough room to grow and spread.
8. Gradually harden off ready for planting out when frosts have finished.