Seed Starting 101: Get the Jump on the Season

Starting seeds indoors is the most cost-effective way to fill your garden. A single packet of tomato seeds can produce dozens of plants for a fraction of the cost of buying seedlings. It also gives you access to far more varieties than any nursery can stock. With a few simple supplies and the right timing, you can grow strong, healthy seedlings ready for transplanting.

Use clean seedling trays or repurposed containers with drainage holes. Fill them with a fine, sterile seed-starting mix - regular garden soil is too heavy and may contain pathogens. Plant seeds at the depth indicated on the packet; a general rule is twice the seed's diameter. Keep the mix consistently moist but not waterlogged. A spray bottle or bottom-watering method prevents disturbing delicate seeds.

Warmth and light are critical after germination. Most vegetable seeds germinate best between 20 and 27 degrees Celsius. Place trays on a heated mat or in a warm spot near a radiator. Once seedlings emerge, provide 14 to 16 hours of light daily using grow lights or a very sunny south-facing window. Turn seedlings regularly to prevent leaning. When the second set of true leaves appears, begin feeding with diluted liquid fertiliser at quarter strength. Harden off seedlings by gradually exposing them to outdoor conditions over seven to ten days before transplanting.