Seeds & planting
Sow seeds directly into a bed
Prepare a weed-free patch with a fine, level surface.
When to do it
Inside the plant’s zone window, when soil conditions suit its germination needs.
What you need
- Seed, label and string
- Rake or trowel
- Watering can with fine rose
How to do it
- Prepare a weed-free patch with a fine, level surface. Check packet depth and spacing; some tiny seeds need light and only surface sowing.
- Moisten dry soil before sowing so later watering does not wash seeds away.
- Make the specified shallow drill or individual holes. Space seeds as directed and keep some seed for another batch.
- Cover to the specified depth, firm lightly and label crop, variety and date. Water gently if needed.
- Check moisture at seed depth and protect from obvious disturbance. Once seedlings are identifiable, thin crowded plants to their final spacing.
What success looks like
- Seedlings emerge along the labelled row and have room to grow.
Watch out for
- Burying all seed at the same depth.
- Letting germinating seeds dry out.
- Covering a sown row with thick mulch.
Related help
Thin crowded seedlings
Identify the crop and mark the plants to keep at the recommended final spacing.
Work out why seeds have not germinated
Check the date and the variety’s expected germination period; some seeds are naturally slow.
Sources and review
Checked 24 September 2026. Source-checked editorial guidance; not field-tested or independently reviewed by a horticulturist.