Growing from seed is the most affordable and rewarding way to fill your garden, balcony or windowsill — and it is far easier than most beginners expect. A single packet can give you dozens of plants, in varieties you will rarely find as ready-grown pots. This is your starting point: what you need, the two ways to sow, a simple step-by-step, the easiest things to grow first, and how to keep your seedlings thriving.
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Why grow from seed?
Three reasons beginners fall in love with it. It is cheaper — one packet grows many plants for a fraction of the cost of ready-grown pots. It gives you far more choice — a huge range of varieties you will rarely see in garden centres. And it gives you control — sow chemical-free and choose organic seeds if you prefer. Browse the full ranges of vegetable, flower, herb and fruit seeds to see what is possible.
What you will need
- Seeds (start with the easy ones below)
- Small pots or a seed tray with drainage
- Fresh, peat-free seed compost
- A bright windowsill or a propagator
- A gentle watering can or a fine mist sprayer
- Labels — it is surprisingly easy to forget what you sowed
Every SeedsChoice packet lists the botanical name, sowing period and germination time, so you always know what to expect.
Handy extras (nice to have)
None of these are essential, but they make life easier once you are hooked:
- A clear lid or propagator — holds in warmth and humidity for faster, more even germination.
- A heat mat — helps tricky, heat-loving seeds like chillies and tomatoes get going.
- A grow light — useful on dark windowsills to prevent pale, stretched seedlings.
- A small fan — gentle airflow strengthens stems and keeps mould at bay.
- A dibber and labels — for neat sowing and knowing what is what.
The two ways to start: indoors or direct
Start indoors
Sow early in trays on a warm sill, then plant out
Tomatoes · Peppers · Basil · Most flowers
Sow direct
Sow straight into the soil or pots once it warms up
Carrots · Radish · Beans · Peas
Starting indoors gives you a head start and earlier harvests, but needs light and space. Direct sowing is simpler — no transplanting — but waits on the weather. Many beginners do both. For the full method, see our guides to starting seeds indoors and direct sowing outdoors.
How to sow, step by step
- Fill & firm seed compost
- Sow thinly right depth
- Cover lightly or not at all
- Warm & bright 18–22°C
- Keep moist never soggy
- Pot on when true leaves show
The golden rule on depth: cover a seed only as deep as it is wide. Tiny seeds need just a dusting — some need light and should sit on the surface. Keep the compost evenly moist but never waterlogged, give seedlings as much light as you can the moment they appear, and thin or prick out crowded ones so each has room. For exactly when to sow what, follow a sowing calendar.
Easiest things to grow first
Build confidence with fast, forgiving crops that rarely let you down:
- Radish — ready in weeks; sow direct.
- Sunflowers — big seeds, big reward, easy to handle.
- Salad leaves — quick and cut-and-come-again.
- Basil — perfect on a sunny windowsill.
- Beans — large seeds that germinate reliably.
Want more quick wins? Browse fast-growing vegetables, flowers and herbs.
Caring for your seedlings
- Light the brightest spot you have
- Water moist, never soggy
- Air gentle airflow stops mould
- Pot on at the first true leaves
- Harden off before planting out
Seedlings ask for three things above all: plenty of light, steady moisture and a little air movement. When they outgrow their first home, pot them on into a larger container. Before anything goes outside, harden it off — set plants out for a few hours a day for a week or so to get them used to wind and sun. See direct sowing outdoors for moving plants on.
Common beginner mistakes
- Sowing too deep — most seeds need only a fine covering, and some need light.
- Overwatering — soggy compost rots seeds and seedlings.
- Too little light — pale, stretched seedlings want a brighter spot.
- Sowing tender crops too early — wait for warmth, or start indoors.
- Forgetting to label — sow now, guess later.
- Skipping hardening off — a sudden move outdoors is a shock.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a greenhouse?
No. A bright windowsill grows a huge amount; a clear lid or propagator simply speeds things up.
When should I start sowing?
It depends on the crop and your climate — follow a sowing calendar and your seed packet for timing.
Indoors or outdoors?
Tender crops and most flowers do best started indoors; hardy, fast crops like carrots and radish are happiest sown direct.
How long until seeds come up?
Anywhere from a few days to three weeks depending on the variety; the packet lists the germination time.
What is easiest for a first-timer?
Radish, salad leaves, sunflowers, basil and beans are forgiving and fast.
Ready to begin? Browse all seeds.
