Sowing Seeds
Sowing your first seeds
The following information is a general guide, for more specific information always refer to the seed packet for specific instructions.
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Types of seed
There are various types of seed available for purchase, you can buy natural seed, (that is seed straight from the plant and packaged up by the seed companies), and you can buy seed with easy planting applicators and packaging and they all produce good plants with a varying amount of planting effort.
When you are buying seeds you may see one called an F1 'Hybrid'. This is generally a more expensive seed produced by 'crossing' selected parent plants to produce a more productive cropping plant. F1 means 'first filial generation', there is also a second filial generation or F2. F2 seeds are the result of crossing two F1 varieties.
If you want to grow a good quality, heavy producing crops then buy an F1 variety. |
Sowing outdoors
Some plants need to be sown out doors as they will not transplant too well, Carrots are a good example of this. Check the seed packet for instructions, and look for the temperature indicator. For example 15-20°C
Before you sow make sure the soil has had stones, and lumps of soil removed and has been raked into a fine tilth. Prepare a shallow trench using pegs and string to create a straight line, and use the corner of a how to excavate a trenvh to the required depth to receive the seeds. Sprinkle the seeds in at the correct distance and lightly cover with soil. If you have to walk on the soil to plant the seeds place a plank or board on the ground and step on this and it will prevent the soil from being compacted. |
Thinning
As the seedlings grow they will inevitably become too crowded, as you will have planted more than enough seeds to cover the losses due to pests and diseases. As they grow select weaker looking specimens for removal so as to leave the remaining plants at the correct distance to reach maturity. You can thin the plants almost every couple of days during the growing season rather than doing it all at once. Once removed the thinned plants should be disposed of so as not to attract pests. In the case of Lettuce and Onions you can replant the thinning's into a new location. |
Sowing Undercover
In more northerly regions you may wish to plant seeds into Seed Trays or modules and then grow them indoors until the ground warms to the correct planting temperature.
When planting seeds into a module place 2-3 seeds in each module to make sure one grows. Thin the weakest out until you have one strong plant left.
Before you plant indoor grown plants outside it is necessary to acclimatize them to the lower temperatures of the out doors. Place them into a cold frame for a week or two before planting out.
Happy Gardening!
The Gardeners Calendar Team |
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