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Sowing seeds indoors is easy, cost-effective and fun. It ensures faster, more reliable germination

Germination is the process by which a seed develops into a new plant. It starts with the seed coat absorbing water, expanding and splitting, which allows oxygen and water into the seed so its food reserves can be broken down and used by the embryo for growth. The first root (called the radicle) pushes into the soil to anchor the new plant in place and start absorbing water and nutrients. The first shoot (called the plumule) then grows upwards, out of the soil, towards the light. , allows you to get growing earlier in the year and provides seedlings

A seedling is a young plant grown from seed. with protection from frost , damp weather and insect damage.

You can sow a wide range of seeds indoors, including:

• Tender crops – such as tomatoes , chillies and courgettes
• Half-hardy annuals
  Annuals are plants that complete their life cycle in one growing season. They are generally easy to grow from seed or can be bought as young plants from garden centres. Annuals are ideal for growing in summer containers and filling gaps in borders. Some examples of annuals include sunflowers, cosmos, sweet peas and zinnia. – such as cosmos and nasturtiums
• Hardy annuals and veg – such as sunflowers and broccoli
• Annuals climbers – such as morning glory and sweet peas
• Tender herbs – such as basil
• Slow-growing crops – such as celeriac

Sowing times vary depending on the plant, so check seed packets for recommended indoor sowing months. As a general guide:

• Sow in spring – most tender and half-hardy flowers and vegetables, for planting out in late spring and early summer
• Sow in summer – biennial
  Biennials are plants that complete their life cycle over the course of two years. In the first year, biennials typically produce leaves and roots but no flowers. In the second year, they flower and produce seeds before dying. Some common biennials include foxgloves (Digitalis), honesty (Lunaria annua) and viper's bugloss (Echium vulgare). flowers, such as foxgloves , and fast-growing vegetables, such as salads
• Sow in autumn – winter and early spring salads and vegetables , for planting out later in autumn, or growing undercover over winter
• Sow in late winter – tender and half-hardy flowers and vegetables that need a long growing season, such as chillies

Most seeds can be sown directly from the packet, but some have tough seed coats that need to be pre-soaked, scraped or nicked (with sandpaper or a knife) to increase the chances of successful germination. Many tree seeds also need a specific period of cold and/or warmth (stratification) before they will germinate. Check seed packets for specific requirements.

What you’ll need to sow seeds indoors:

• Packet of seeds
• Seed tray
  A seed tray is a shallow, vertical-sided, rigid plastic or wooden tray with drainage holes in the base. It contains enough compost for seeds to germinate and grow into seedings, but then they'll need transfering into pots. , modular tray or small pots, ideally biodegradable, or homemade paper pots or recycled food containers
• Peat-free seed compost
  Seed compost is a free-draining compost formulated for germinating seed. It often contains a mix of fine materials including sterilised loam, coir, coarse sand or grit. It contains low levels of nutrients, as high levels could damage seedlings. or sieved peat-free multi-purpose compost
  Can refer to either home-made garden compost or seed/potting compost: • Garden compost is a soil improver made from decomposed plant waste, usually in a compost bin or heap. It is added to soil to improve its fertility, structure and water-holding capacity. Seed or potting composts are used for growing seedlings or plants in containers - a wide range of commercially produced peat-free composts are available, made from a mix of various ingredients, such as loam, composted bark, coir and sand, although you can mix your own.
• Watering can with a rose
• Plant label - ideally one made of wood, metal or slate that can be composted, recycled or repurposed
• Propagator
  A propagator is a portable, lightweight structure usually plastic, with a vented or unvented lid to provide a humid, slightly warmer atmosphere. It is useful to help seeds germinate and root cuttings. It may have adjustable, thermostatic temperature control. lid, piece of glass or clear plastic food tray, to cover
• Warm place for seeds to germinate, such as a greenhouse or sunny windowsill

• Fill your seed tray
  A seed tray is a shallow, vertical-sided, rigid plastic or wooden tray with drainage holes in the base. It contains enough compost for seeds to germinate and grow into seedings, but then they'll need transfering into pots. , modular tray or pot Use peat-free seed compost
  Seed compost is a free-draining compost formulated for germinating seed. It often contains a mix of fine materials including sterilised loam, coir, coarse sand or grit. It contains low levels of nutrients, as high levels could damage seedlings. or sieved peat-free multi-purpose compost
  Can refer to either home-made garden compost or seed/potting compost: • Garden compost is a soil improver made from decomposed plant waste, usually in a compost bin or heap. It is added to soil to improve its fertility, structure and water-holding capacity. Seed or potting composts are used for growing seedlings or plants in containers - a wide range of commercially produced peat-free composts are available, made from a mix of various ingredients, such as loam, composted bark, coir and sand, although you can mix your own. and fill to just below the rim, ensuring the corners are filled too. Pots and modules
  Small individual cells, usually in a tray, used for sowing seeds. The resulting seedlings can be transplanted with minimal root disturbance. are best for larger seeds, while seed trays suit smaller ones. For tips on making recycled pots, see our guide to going plastic-free .

• Gently firm the compost Use another tray or a piece of wood to firm the compost down to about 1cm (½in) below the rim. This gives a flat surface to sow onto.

• Sow your seeds Empty the seed packet into your palm or a shallow dish, then take a small pinch and scatter them thinly and evenly over the compost. Large seeds can be picked up and sown individually.

• Cover the seeds Sprinkle a light covering of sieved compost over the seeds – usually no more than the depth of the seed, but check the seed packet for details.

• Water gently Use a watering can with an upside-down rose to create a gentle spray and avoid dislodging the seeds. Alternatively, stand pots or trays in water to soak up moisture from below, removing once the compost is thoroughly damp.

• Label your pots and trays Add a label with the name of the seeds and the date sown.

• Cover the seeds Place a piece of glass, propagator
  A propagator is a portable, lightweight structure usually plastic, with a vented or unvented lid to provide a humid, slightly warmer atmosphere. It is useful to help seeds germinate and root cuttings. It may have adjustable, thermostatic temperature control. lid or clear plastic fruit tray over the pots and trays to help retain moisture and speed up germination
  Germination is the process by which a seed develops into a new plant. It starts with the seed coat absorbing water, expanding and splitting, which allows oxygen and water into the seed so its food reserves can be broken down and used by the embryo for growth. The first root (called the radicle) pushes into the soil to anchor the new plant in place and start absorbing water and nutrients. The first shoot (called the plumule) then grows upwards, out of the soil, towards the light. .

• Place in a warm, sunny spot to germinate A greenhouse or south- or west-facing windowsill is ideal. Most seeds need a temperature of around 18°C to germinate, but check the seed packet for specific requirements.

• Check regularly for germination
  Germination is the process by which a seed develops into a new plant. It starts with the seed coat absorbing water, expanding and splitting, which allows oxygen and water into the seed so its food reserves can be broken down and used by the embryo for growth. The first root (called the radicle) pushes into the soil to anchor the new plant in place and start absorbing water and nutrients. The first shoot (called the plumule) then grows upwards, out of the soil, towards the light. – seedlings
  A seedling is a young plant grown from seed. may emerge in as little as a few days. Remove the glass or plastic covering as soon as they appear.
• Keep in a bright spotand water lightly every few days – never let the compost
  Can refer to either home-made garden compost or seed/potting compost: • Garden compost is a soil improver made from decomposed plant waste, usually in a compost bin or heap. It is added to soil to improve its fertility, structure and water-holding capacity. Seed or potting composts are used for growing seedlings or plants in containers - a wide range of commercially produced peat-free composts are available, made from a mix of various ingredients, such as loam, composted bark, coir and sand, although you can mix your own. dry out completely, but it shouldn't be saturated with water.
• Prick out seedlings into individual pots once large enough to handle, to prevent overcrowding as they grow.
• Move seedlings into larger pots as they grow to ensure they have the nutrients
  To grow well, plants need a wide range of nutrients in various amounts, depending on the individual plant and its stage of growth. The three key nutrients usually taken up from the soil are nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium. Plants also need carbon, oxygen and hydrogen to make carbohydrates — their main energy source. Carbon and oxygen come from the air as carbon dioxide, while hydrogen is drawn from water absorbed by the roots. Other important soil nutrients include magnesium, calcium and sulphur. Most garden soils contain enough of these nutrients to support healthy plant growth. they need to become strong and sturdy
• Harden off
  Gradually acclimatising tender or indoor-raised plants to outdoor conditions, to toughen them up and prevent a check in growth. Place plants outside in a sheltered spot during the day then bring indoors at night for a couple of weeks. Or place in a coldframe, opening the lid during the day. young plants so they acclimatise to outdoor conditions ahead of planting outside once the risk of frost has passed. See our guide to hardening off .