Materials & Tools

Compost & seeds

Seed tray

Compost sieve / riddle
Compost press
Sowing template & pencil

Step 1

Fill a half-sized seed tray with sieved compost, and use the compost press to make a smooth firm surface.

Making a Compost Press

Step 2

Using a seed-sowing template, make a series of holes in the compost using the tip of a pencil.

Sowing Template for Half-trays

Step 3

Remove the template, and you should have a series of evenly spaced holes, as shown.

Step 4

Sow one seed in each hole. If needed, you can use a seed sower to help.

How to Make a Seed Sower

Step 5

Pinch the compost to close each of the holes, and use the compost press again to ensure there is good contact between the seeds and the compost.

Step 6

Return any remaining seeds to the packet.

Step 7

Water. I use a pop bottle with a series of holes made in the cap to avoid washing the seeds around.

Spray Nozzles

Step 8

Add a label with the variety and date. Place on a sunny windowsill in a heated propagator and add a propagator lid. Check regularly to ensure the compost does not dry out. 

Step 9

After two weeks in the propagator, only 6 had germinated, of the 48 I sowed, or 1 in 8.