When you know the secrets of seed sowing you’ll be able to grow many different plants cheaply and easily. This page will tell you how to handle tiny seeds, how to sow in pots, modules and trays; choose this link to find
methods of sowing outdoors.
The advantages of modules, trays and propagators are compared on this link.
Seed Sowing in Trays, Pots or Modules
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Clean dirt from used pots and trays and immerse in a bucket of boiling water. see the row tray,
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Use good sterilised seed compost. A mix of leaf mold and sand is suitable. Don't use potting compost with added inorganic fertilizers,
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Before seed sowing, soak compost to thoroughly moisten,
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As you fill pots gently firm compost and make a level surface,
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Sow seeds onto surface,
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Don't cover fine seed, but gently firm surface with board after sowing,
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With small seeds cover with a sprinkling of fine peat, grit, sand or moist vermiculate to depth advised on pack,
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Sow flat seeds e.g. tomato, melon, french bean; on their edge,
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Bury large seeds in hole made with dibber and cover,
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Don't water after seed sowing. Only use bottom watering to prevent drying, i.e. by standing pots in shallow water,
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Cover to retain moisture. Don't use an opaque cover over seeds that need light for germination,
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After germination remove covers,
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A light box lined with silver foil helps reduce curving of stems toward a unilateral light source.
TRAYS are for shallower rooted smaller plants. Row trays are especially useful for transferring seedlings directly into the soil.
Seed Handling Methods
INVISIBLE FINE SEEDS
Packets of fine seed e.g. fern spores, often appear to be empty. They don't flow out in a stream, but either stick to the packet or blow away in a wiff. Open packets carefully indoors. After cutting the top open, gently prize the packet apart with fine tweezers. Pour a little silver sand into the packet and give a few shakes to rinse around inside.
Now you can sow the seed carrier containing seeds onto a moist gently firmed compost surface. The sand gives a clear indication of where you’ve sown. Use a block of wood to firm seed very gently into the surface. Then cover and wait.
Note: poor close-up eye-sight is a considerable disability. Suitable glasses will help bring back your confidence and enjoyment in growing seeds.
TINY FLOWING SEEDS
When seeds are visible to the naked eye but tiny and light you can still opt to add a seed carrier as above. When they form sufficient bulk in the packet to flow out in a stream e.g. grass or lettuce seed, you can tap them out carefully.
The seeds may be small but each has the potential to grow into a whole plant. Be sure then to sow thinly enough. The desired plant spacing and percentage germination rate indicate the sowing density. i.e. 50% germination rate requires 2 seeds for every plant required per unit area.
Some seeds are available in seed pellets for easier handling, or coated with nutrients for strong growth.
Pre-seeded mats and tapes are also available and these require less preparation.
