Seed Starting

Start seeds strong and skip the setbacks

Starting plants from seed is rewarding, but it is easy to lose a tray to damping off, weak leggy stems or seeds that never wake up. Timing, temperature, moisture and light all play a part, and a mistake in one can undo the others. Knowing when to sow, how deep to plant and when to move seedlings on saves both seed and patience.

The guides here help you choose containers and mix, read a seed packet, plan sowing dates around your last frost, and give seedlings the warmth and light they need. You will also find help with thinning, potting up, hardening off and fixing common problems like mold on the surface or seedlings that topple over. Where a heat mat or light setup uses mains power, check the maker's instructions and keep cords and water well apart.