Seeds & planting
Read a seed packet and plan repeat sowings
Check the crop, variety, packed date and whether it is intended for direct sowing or transplanting.
When to do it
Before sowing, using the plant’s current zone window.
What you need
- Seed packet
- Calendar and labels
How to do it
- Check the crop, variety, packed date and whether it is intended for direct sowing or transplanting.
- Use The Garden Hand’s zone window for local timing. Read the packet for sowing depth, germination conditions, spacing and any special treatment.
- Divide the space into small batches for quick crops you eat regularly. Schedule the next batch after checking the first batch’s progress, remaining season and available space.
- Record each sowing. Stop repeating when the crop’s window closes; a packet from another country does not override local timing.
What success looks like
- Each batch has a date, variety and realistic growing space.
Watch out for
- Sowing the whole packet when you need a few plants.
- Treating days to harvest as a guarantee.
Related help
Sow seeds directly into a bed
Prepare a weed-free patch with a fine, level surface.
Start seeds in trays and care for them
Read the packet before sowing.
Keep labels and a useful garden record
Label the plant and variety, planting date and bed or pot.
Sources and review
Checked 24 September 2026. Source-checked editorial guidance; not field-tested or independently reviewed by a horticulturist.