I hope you will find growing your own plants from seed as rewarding as I have. It is the easiest way of producing large numbers of plants inexpensively, and the only way of propagating certain plants. For many, seed is the most practical method of obtaining rare or hard to find varieties.

Whether you are a novice or an experienced gardener, good reference books are an essential tool. That’s one of the things you can buy with all the money you save by growing your own plants from seed. I like Sunset’s Western Garden Book as a useful general guide, it lists over 6000 plants, and has an adequate 60 page dictionary section. Peter Thompson’s Creative Propagation A Grower’s guide I recommend for the more serious grower who would like to propagate on a larger scale.

If you are going to start your seeds inside, please follow some simple guidelines:

1. Always use clean, sterile potting mix {DO NOT USE GARDEN SOIL} and containers. Make sure the potting mix is moist.
2. Label your containers-I use masking tape at this stage and labels after pricking out.
3. Firm the potting mix down gently (I use a mini-blind cut to the length of my container) so you have a nice flat surface.
4. Sow the seeds at the right depth-generally 2X their diameter, very tiny seeds can just be pressed into the surface.
5. I then place the containers in a tray with water and let them soak up from the bottom until thoroughly moistened.
6. Keep seed container covered with plastic or glass until seeds have developed their 1st true set of leaves. (May differ significantly from the first pair of ‘seed leaves’)
7. Never let the soil dry out or let the seedlings suffer stress from lack of water. You want the soil always moist, but not soggy.
8. Once they’ve germinated, ensure they receive adequate light. I use recycled industrial fluorescent light fixtures.
9. Prick seedlings out at the first possible moment they can be handled- pick them up by their leaves-not stems and pot them up in their final container before they’re planted in the garden. I use a small piece of plastic mini-blind cut to a sharp point as my tool to dig the tiny seedlings out- I also use cut mini-blinds for labels. Another tip-write on them with pencil-it lasts the longest and can be erased.
10. Only grow the plants inside long enough so that they are able to grow successfully on their own in the garden. They will grow so much better and quicker outside – so don’t be tempted to start them too early. Generally, 4-6 weeks before your last frost is soon enough.
11. Once it’s time to plant them outside-make sure you harden them off (condition them gradually to outside conditions, i.e. limit their exposure to blazing sun and/or cold nighttime temp.) a week or so before you plant. Make sure they get adequate water until they’re established.
12. Have fun and enjoy your success!