Seed Grow Notes

Thank you for purchasing seeds from The Arrowtown Flower Company. Please follow the links below to download the Grow Notes for your seed purchase. But first, before you sow any seeds, here are a few golden rules to follow:

  • seed starting can seem overwhelming, but just remember - all seeds want to pop into a new life, they want to continue their life cycle, you just have to provide them with the right environment

  • be sure to follow the notes about the appropriate way to cover or not cover the seed through the germination phase. Some seeds need light to germinate, some like complete darkness

  • keep the seed mix moist at all times, and always water from below so as not to disturb the seed. Seeds will do nothing on a dry bed of seed mix

  • seeds enjoy humidity, so cover your seed tray with a vented lid or even some glad wrap draped loosely atop, to retain a regular temperature

  • propagating equipment does not need to be fancy. Here at the cutting garden we often use plastic-lidded vegetable punnets to create a humidity dome for our seeds. The punnets are vented up top and down below, so are naturally draining while also allowing air to flow. Milk bottles are also great mini propagation chambers that can sit on windowsills or in hot water cupboards (follow along on Instagram to see how I re-use these containers that would otherwise head to landfill or recycling)

Seedling Notes

Once the seeds have sprouted, you can do a little jig! Welcome to the addiction. However the growing process has not stopped yet, in fact it’s only just started. Now you need patience and timeliness:

  • the first shoot you see emerging from the seed is called a cotyledon. These little shoots emerge in a pair, and then give way to the true leaves, the type of leaf you will then see on the plant. Allow the seedling to grow until it has a few sets of true leaves before pricking out, usually 3-4 weeks after initial germination

  • pricking out is the process of moving the seedling into its own grow space. This could be in a soil block or in a cell tray or nursery punnet

  • after another 3-4 weeks, pot up into an 8cm pot to allow to grow on (more relevant if growing on over winter); OR if the soil and air temperatures allow, plant into prepared beds after hardening them off and giving them a good seaweed drench

  • before any planting out can happen, the seedlings need to harden off, or acclimatise to the outdoor environment, especially if they have been started indoors. Leave them in a sheltered place outside, out of searing heat and do not allow to dry out

  • after a week or so of getting used to the outdoors, the seedlings can be planted out in their new beds. Be sure to follow any guidelines about their preferred growing aspect, and if planting out in autumn, ensure the beds are well mulched and possibly covered, to protect them over a harsh winter

Download your seed start guide below:

image of corn cockle