Method 3) How to Sow Seeds in Cells

Cell trays are good for larger seeds (2mm and bigger), sowing them one per cell. It’s best to use multipurpose compost, which is more fibrous and clings to the rootball, making potting up later on easier.

Step 1) Put compost through a coarse sieve to remove large lumps, and loosely fill all of the cells. Tap the tray lightly on the bench to settle compost.

Step 1) Put compost through a coarse sieve.

Step 2) With your finger, dib shallow depressions in the surface of each cell. This is necessary for smaller seeds like the calendula I’m sowing – you can just push bigger seeds into the compost.

Step 2) Dib shallow depressions in each cell.

Step 3) Shake some of the seeds out of their packet onto the palm of your hand.

Step 3) Shake seeds onto the palm of your hand

Step 4) Carefully drop one seed into the depression in the compost surface of each cell

Step 4) Drop one seed into each cell

Step 5) Now sieve a light sprinkling of compost over the cells to cover the seeds

Step 5) Sieve compost to cover seeds

Step 6) Gently firm the compost down with the palm of your hand – don’t press too hard.

Step 6) Gently firm compost down

Step 7) Write a label including what you’re sowing, the variety and date of sowing, and stick it in the compost.

Step 7) Write a label

Step 8) Place the cell tray in a watering tray with 1in (2.5cm) of tap water in the bottom, and leave it to soak up into the compost.

Step 8) Place the cell tray in a watering tray and leave to soak

Step 9) Put the cell tray into a heated propagator, or in an unheated propagator tray (lined with newspaper to stop drips) with a clear plastic cover over the top, as I’m doing.

Step 9) Place tray in heated propagator or unheated propagator tray

Step 10) Put the tray in a bright, warm position – mine’s in the greenhouse, but a warm windowsill indoors would be fine.

Step 10) Place tray in a bring, warm position

Your seeds should germinate like this..