A18 Sowing Seed: Resources Extended Activities

A18 Sowing seed
Growing plants from seed is tremendously rewarding.The techniques are

simple and quick, especially with practice and the confidence to
experiment. Building on guidance in B5.2, this activity has instructions
for sowing seeds directly into the soil and in pots or trays.
Resources Extended activities

• Chosen seed 1 Use thinning and potting-on techniques as
required when seeds germinate (A20 and 21).
• Prepared seedbed
2 Write a diary about sowing seed. Compare the
• Pots/trays and compost way different seeds grow and use the record to
• Tools including: garden line, rake, trowel/fork,
watering can with a ‘fine-rose’
help plan next year’s planting.
3 Write a set of instructions for growing seeds.
Activity 4 Sort and compare different types of seed looking

at size, colour, shape and weight. Use seeds for
1 Obtain seeds of your chosen plant varieties. counting, estimating and measuring.
2 For each type of seed, follow instructions on the 5 Design a seed label or packet.
next page, adapting as appropriate.
a Sowing seed directly into the soil
b Sowing seed in pots and trays
3 Be guided by the following.
a Instructions on the seed packet
b Food Growing Instruction Cards
Health & Be careful when handling seed, compost and soil, washing hands afterwards. Ensure appropriate
Safety adult supervision.
See also Health and Safety Guidelines (Section
B3.3)
Further A19 Making a paper pot
information A20 Thinning seedlings
A21 Potting on seedlings
Food Growing Instruction Cards
Poster – Seeds and young plants
1
Instructions for sowing seed into the soil
1 Prepare the soil

Use bare soil that has been dug and organic
matter added as required (See B4.4 and A9).
Rake the loose soil, breaking up the lumps and
removing the biggest stones. Aim for a fine ‘tilth’
on the surface, a fine crumbly layer of soil.
2 Create a shallow ‘drill’ or holes in the soil.

P P
DSC_3248 – 53 DSC_3266 - 7
Wide drill Narrow drill Using a rake

• If helpful, use a garden line or a cane to mark out a straight row
• Adjust space between rows according to the final size of each crop
• If the soil is dry, water the drill before sowing, adding a little moist compost in heavy clay soils (see A9)
3 Sow seed evenly at the recommended depth and distance apart.
Place large seeds individually, making a small hole Tap small seeds off the palm of your hand. Also
with a dibber or trowel if needed. sprinkle seeds by taking a pinch between finger and
thumb.
• Generally, cover large seeds with soil no deeper than twice their size. Outside, small seeds should be
covered very lightly with fine soil.Very small seeds are best started in pots and tray (next page).
4 Cover the seed with fine soil and tamp it down gently with your hands or back of the rake so the
seed and soil make good contact.
DSC_3259 – 63 (wide drill covering)
5 Label the row with the date of sowing, crop and variety name
For some crops, sow again every two to four
weeks for a ‘succession’ of harvests during the
season, eg carrots, lettuce, radish, salad onion etc.
See Food Growing Instruction Cards.
6 Once seeds have germinated (typically one-three weeks), either

P
Thin (B5.3/A20) Transplant (B5.5/A22)
Top tip
When to sow outdoors J
Wait until the recommended month for sowing (see seed packets and Food Growing Instruction Cards).You
can also check the soil temperature using a soil thermometer.
Spring sowing – usually warm enough to start sowing when weeds start to grow. For an earlier start,
warm up the soil with plastic sheeting for a few weeks before sowing (see Silver and Gold Booklet).
Summer sowing - if soil temperature is too high (eg for lettuce), water the ground to cool it down
before sowing and cover with sacking.
Autumn sowing - take advantage of the warm soil to sow overwintering crops such as broad beans
(in mild areas). They will have a headstart in spring.
Instructions for sowing seed in pots and trays
1 Fill the container with organic, peat-free seed

compost. This compost will have all the nutrients
the seedlings need to germinate and grow for a
few weeks, without adding extra fertiliser.
2 Firm the surface of the compost with something

flat, like the bottom of another pot, or tap the
container on the bench to settle the compost. Do
not press the compost down hard as this squeezes
out too much air and the seedlings won’t grow
well.
3 Sow larger seeds individually, covering

with compost no deeper than twice the size
of the seed.
4 Tap smaller seeds off the palm of your hand. Also

sprinkle seeds by taking a pinch between finger
and thumb.You can also mix small seeds with the
same bulk of fine sand and then sow (for more
even distribution).
5 Water using a watering can with a fine-rose end

or stand the container in a tray of water and
allow the water to soak up from below until the
surface is just damp. Do not saturate as this also
reduces the air in the compost. Leave to drain.
6 Cover seed with sieved compost and firm lightly
so the seed and compost make good contact.
Leave very small seeds uncovered or use a thin
layer of vermiculite(very fine mineral rock).
7 Label each container (or group of pots) with the

date of sowing, crop and variety name.
For some crops, sow again every two to four

weeks for a ‘succession’ of harvests during the
season, eg carrots, lettuce, radish, salad onion. See
Food Growing Instruction Cards.
8 Lightly water again, if needed, using a watering can with a fine-rose end.
9 Once seeds have germinated (typically one-three weeks), thin (B5.3/A20) or pot-on (B5.4/A21) as required.
Notes
The method is the same for whichever type of pot or tray you use, whether bought or a recycled
container, eg margarine tubs with added drainage holes.
• Individual pots are useful for larger seeds.

• Seed-trays are good for getting as many seedlings as possible or if unsure of the likely germination rate.
Seedlings will need potting-on (A21) before transplanting.
• Trays divided in modules are available in different sizes and suit most seeds. Seedlings can then be
transplanted (A22) with minimum root disturbance.You can also make your ownpaper pots (A19).
• Seed can sometimes be sown directly into larger containers.

Top tip
The right conditions
J
Place your pot or tray in a location with enough warmth and shelter. Keep moist and in a light position for even
and fast growth.
Greenhouse Windowsill Outdoors Seedlings deprived of light

(Silver and Gold booklet) (B4.7/A13) (B5.2)

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A18 Sowing seed

Growing plants from seed is tremendously rewarding.The techniques are

Resources Extended activities

Activity 4 Sort and compare different types of seed looking

1 Prepare the soil

2 Create a shallow ‘drill’ or holes in the soil.

Wide drill Narrow drill Using a rake

DSC_3259 – 63 (wide drill covering)

6 Once seeds have germinated (typically one-three weeks), either

Thin (B5.3/A20) Transplant (B5.5/A22)

1 Fill the container with organic, peat-free seed

2 Firm the surface of the compost with something

3 Sow larger seeds individually, covering

4 Tap smaller seeds off the palm of your hand. Also

5 Water using a watering can with a fine-rose end

7 Label each container (or group of pots) with the

For some crops, sow again every two to four

• Individual pots are useful for larger seeds.

• Seed can sometimes be sown directly into larger containers.

Greenhouse Windowsill Outdoors Seedlings deprived of light

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