Plant Care: Simple Guides for Sowing, Growing & Rescue – Herboo Gardening Blog
Whether you’re sowing your first seeds or coaxing a wilting plant back to life, our plant care guides make it easy. Explore step-by-step advice for starting from seed, nurturing healthy growth and tackling common problems when things go wrong — all written for real UK homes, balconies and gardens.
Sowing & Germination FAQs
Most tender annuals start indoors between February and April, but always check your seed packet or variety guide.
Usually low light or too much warmth. Move them to a bright, cool spot and reduce watering.
Light, frequent misting is better than deep watering. The top layer of compost should stay moist but not soggy.
As a rule, sow seeds at a depth of about twice their size. Very fine seeds (e.g., poppies, basil) should be scattered on the surface and not covered.
Use a light, free-draining seed-starting compost. Avoid multipurpose composts with large chunks, which can hinder small seedlings.
Most seeds germinate well at 15–20°C. Heat-loving plants like chillies and tomatoes prefer 20–25°C and may benefit from a heat mat.
A loose cover can help maintain moisture during germination, but should be removed once seedlings appear to prevent damping off.