Propagation made easy

Get top results from your seed-sowing with the first of our propagation masterclasses from Nick Bailey 

Growing from seed is one of the most rewarding things you can do in the garden and it saves a fortune, too. Ten Stipa tenuissima (a delicate grass) in two-litre pots would set you back £100, whereas the same plants grown from seed will cost around £6, including pots and compost. Now is the time to start sowing seed and the method shown here is simple for the vast majority of annual and perennial plants.

The secret to success, in my experience, is all about creating and maintaining the perfect growing environment for the first two weeks after sowing your seeds. Get this right - I'll tell you how - and the rest is a cinch.

Success with seeds

While big seeds such as those of sunflowers are best sown in pots, a seed tray is perfect for most fine seeds. Here's my method for reliable germination every time.

1 Fill a clean seed tray nearly to the rim with a peat-free, fine-textured seed compost, breaking up any lumps. Firm it down with your fingertips.

2 Use a clean, flat bit of wood to level it off, firming as you go. The end result should be a flat bed of compost that is lightly compressed but not compacted.

3 Choose a wind-free place for sowing. I prefer to pour seeds into the crease of my hand as it gives greater control than sowing direct from the packet.

4 Hold your hand close to the tray and gently tap it with your other hand to begin releasing the seeds. I aim to space them about 5mm apart.

5 Move apart any seeds that are clustered too close together on the surface of the compost, using the tip of a pencil or a plant label.