Can you teach me how to grow from seed please?

[snoodrops]

I tried growing from seed last year, and other than my sweet peas I had some pretty rubbish results! Undeterred I'm going to give it another crack this year. Would some wise MNers be able to give me some tips? I've bought cosmos and nigella, which I understand should be started indoors and in situ respectively. Can you talk me through what to do in baby steps so that I hopefully have a more successful growing season? TIA!

You will get better results if you start off in seed trays/cells and plant out once the plants are thriving.

Start with 'easy' plants, not too many, and don't sow too many seeds. Read the seed packets (some seeds need dark/cold before they will germinate).

This website below is a good introduction to what seeds to start with, she also has useful videos on sowing individual seeds on her YouTube channel, and a Facebook group with lots of advice. You don't have to join to access these.

Good luck

Floral Project

• If you have a Lidl or an Aldi close by, they both have window propagator trays for less than £5.
• Fill with good quality compost.
• Follow the instructions on the seed packet for planting depth. Use a plant label as you WILL forget what you have planted.
• I use a spray mister to water mine in.
• Put them on a windowsill where they will get lots of light.
• Keep the compost damp/moist but not wet.
• In about 7-10 days, your seedlings should have sprouted!
• Once they have one set of leaves, remove the clear plastic propagator lid.
• Keep watering gently.
• Blow on the seedlings to simulate wind. This will help strengthen them up. This is a good daily chore for kids! Flip the propagator round so both sides get the sun.
• The next set of leaves will be the true leaves. Keep on with misting and daily blowing until the seedlings are nice and big and roots have filled the module. They are then ready for potting on. Do this holding a leaf and not the stalk.
• Once they have four or more sets of true leaves, pinch back to the 2nd or 3rd to encourage a bushier plant and more flowers.

Thank you both so much, this is so helpful! Fingers crossed for a more successful batch of seedlings this year!

Nigella I sowed mine directly into the soil got zilch year 1, but they all came up the following year (original seeds) and gave an amazing display they now self seed so they are coming up everywhere so I’m just hoeing to keep them under control

cosmos are easy, chuck them in a propagator and they will come.

Cosmos will get leggy (long stems from not enough light) so can be started indoors then moved to mini greenhouse/a clear plastic box outside if possible once they germinate. I didn't personally have luck with direct sowing (only tried once, might have been too late on) but I think they can be from about May.

When you are potting on, you can bury part of the stem if they are leggy.

Thank you so much for all your help and suggestions, it’s all been incredibly helpful. @JamMakingWannaBe I have been following your instructions religiously!!
Just under under half of my cosmos germinated and have the first set of leaves. I’ve removed the propagator lid and one seedling promptly keeled over overnight!! Can anyone advise what I’ve done wrong? TIA!