Vegetable growing

Growing from seed is the lowest cost and most rewarding method of raising your own plants. Whether you are sowing into seed trays and propagators, or directly into the ground, there is nothing more satisfying than a glorious display of colour and scent, or a bumper crop of tasty fruit and vegetables, that you have grown yourself.

There are two methods to start your seeds growing:

• In a greenhouse/conservatory or indoors on the windowsill (usually known as half-hardy seed), then potting on and planting outside at a later stage when the danger of frost has passed. There are lots of easy to use indoor seed propagation products available, such as Suttons Sow & Grow
  seed starter range
• Directly into the ground where they are intended to grow – the quick, easy and very low cost way to fill your garden with vibrant flowers and tasty vegetables.

Where to grow

You might be surprised to know but you really don’t need a big garden to start growing your own vegetablesany space will do as long as it’s a sunny open spot.

If you have a garden or allotment, be it big or small, you can make a dedicated vegetable patch. Alternatively, you can grow within a mixed bed with flowers, in pots on the patio, in outdoor window boxes and even your kitchen windowsill will provide you with a lovely crop of herbs, tomatoes and peppers.

If you are short of space then use large pots and containers. Tomatoes can be grown in hanging baskets, runner beans grown up ‘wigwams’ of bamboo canes and even pumpkins and aubergines can now be grown in pots!

Raised beds also provide an attractive and practical alternative to growing in the garden soil due to the fact you can select the positioning, Eg. A sunny spot on the patio. These will also help provide earlier and longer cropping of your veg.

Most vegetable seed can be sown directly where you want them to crop. However keep a watchful eye on the weather and wait until the soil has warmed up to at least 6°C.

There are four easy ways to start growing your own; Packeted Seed, Seed Mats, Seed Tapes or Seed Kits!

1. Packeted Seed – Fill a seed tray (or other container) with a good quality compost such as Suttons All Purpose Compost leaving a gap of about 1cm at the top of the container.Scatter seed evenly, pressing it gently into the surface. Cover larger seeds with a light covering of compost. Then gently water your seeds and keep them in a warm, draught-free spot indoors (see back of packets for more information).Items such as salad leaves, beetroot, carrots, parsnips etc. can be sown directly where they are to grow.
2. Seed Mats – A very easy way to starting your seeds growing indoors. Fill a container with good quality compost such as Suttons All Purpose Compost leaving a gap of about 2cm at the top.Simply lay your seed mat on the compost and cover lightly with compost. Gently water your seed mats and keep them in a warm, draught-free spot indoor (see back of packet for full instructions) No thinning out of the seedlings as they grow is required as the seed is pre-sown for you, which leads to healthier, stronger plants as there is no disturbance to the roots.
3. Seed Tapes -The easiest way to grow your vegetable seeds is to use our groweasy seed tapes and mats
   . With a stick or tool handle, make a ‘drill’ or groove in your garden soil, and then simply lay your tape along the groove and cover with soil. Water the ground well. No thinning out of the seedlings as they grow is required as the seed is pre-sown into the tape which leads to healthier, stronger plants as there is no disturbance to the roots. See back of packets for full information.
4. Seed Kits – Add warm water to the tray to expand the pellets, pouring off any excess once they are fully expanded. Plant 2-3 seeds in the centre of each Jiff®y pellet. Remove excess seedlings so you are left with just one per Jiffy® pellet. Grow your seedlings until they are ready to plant out. See seed kit packaging for full information on this very easy and quick way to produce your own vegetables. Some seeds may need to be started indoors or undercover (excluding seed tapes) please check individual packets for full sowing details.

Giving your seedlings room to grow

When the seedlings are large enough to handle, transfer to larger pots (8cm (3″) is usually the best size to use for this job) or into trays of compost to allow them to grow and develop more easily. Do this by gently holding the top leaves and carefully ease out the seedlings from their original growing container (if using a seed kit remove the pellet and seedling together). Use a pencil (or even a teaspoon handle) to create a hole in the ‘growing on’ pots or containers. Place your baby plants into prepared holes taking care not to damage the roots.

Gently firm the compost around the roots and stem to leave the first leaves just above the surface. Water gently keep them in a warm spot indoors and protect from direct sunlight for the first 3-4 days.

Outdoor sowing for hardy seeds

• Prepare your seed bed in a sunny, open spot (March – May for most vegetables).
• Dig over and leave until the first weeds appear. Pick out these weeds and rake soil to a fine crumbly surface

3 easy methods to sow your seed:

1. Broadcast Method: Scatter your seed on the surface of the soil in a circular motion, to cover the space available. These can be raked into the surface or covered lightly with compost and pressed down gently.
2. Sow in rows: This method is useful with fine seeds such as Carrots. Sow thinly in a pre-marked ‘drill’ (shallow groove). The seedlings may need to be thinned later to allow enough space for your veg to grow. Larger seed such as Beetroot is easier to handle and can be planted singly along a ‘drill’- this reduces the need for thinning out later on.
3. Seed Tapes: The easiest way to grow your seeds. In a pre-marked ‘drill’ simply lay your tape along the groove and cover with compost. No thinning is required which leads to healthier, stronger plants as there is no disturbance to the roots.