Planting your seeds for a Successful Harvest

Using the right sort of compost when sowing your seeds is very important.  Seed compost is generally low in nutrients, so specific soil composts are good.  Or alternatively you could use a Multi-purpose compost mixed with vermiculite or Horticultural sand.

Vermiculite is a great addition to your soil.  It acts like a reservoir for the plants, storing the nutrients from the fertilisers and food allowing the plant to access it when it needs it.

Watering the soil first is a good idea.  It dampens the soil and also avoids you disturbing the seed, once it has been sown.  Also remember to sow the seeds sparing, making it easier to prick out late.  Use a spray bottle instead of your watering can when watering the seed tray as this will firstly allow you to not over water the soil and also to stop bacterial infection which could have been gathering in your watering can.

Put the seeds in the tray and they should be planted roughly double the depth of the size of the seeds.  Some seeds are extremely small, so just place them carefully into the soil and push them down ever so slightly.  Obviously the larger the seed, the deeper it needs to be planted.

Cover the seed tray with a plastic top and a sheet of newspaper to give them great germination conditions. 

You could also use a heated propagator kit.  Heated propagators produce ideal conditions for growing cuttings and seedlings. A heated propagator can be used to create the right temperature and humidity needed to germinate seeds or help speed up the rooting process of cuttings.  Particular examples of where this is effective or with peppers which need bottom heat.

Don’t forget to write your seed variety and date sown on the plant pot, you don’t want to get these baby plants mixes up when transplanting them and potting on to allow them to grow.

After around 4 – 6 weeks the seedlings should have produced their second set of leaves.  This means they are large enough to move to a single pot.  Make sure you hold onto the lower leaves and be gently when levying the roots up.  These baby plants will be extremely fragile.

Fill your pot with a potting compost and make a small hole big enough for the plant.  Place the plant into the hole and try and work the roots into it.  Firm the soil around the seedling and don’t forget to water!

We have some great propagation accessories instore and also a fantastic selection of seeds available now.  Pop instore and get started and if you need any other information just ask!

Looking forward to seeing you soon.