Tips and tricks for growing your seeds

How to grow your sunflowers from seeds

When to plant: Sunflowers can take up to 100 days to flower - in order to thrive they need lots of sunshine so they’re best planted between September and January.

How to plant: Sunflowers have long roots so they’re best planted in a deep container. To plant, start by adding a layer of good compost under your soil so your sunflowers will have plenty of nutrients. Then, plant your sunflower seeds about one knuckle deep and 20-30cm apart. Position your container in a spot with plenty of sunshine.

How to care: Keep the soil consistently moist but not waterlogged until the sunflower seedlings are established, usually in about 2-3 weeks. Once the seedlings are established, water less frequently, allowing the soil to dry slightly between waterings. The most important ingredient is sun!

How to harvest: If you plan on cutting the flowers for a vase, trim about a centimetre off the base and make sure to replenish water every three days. You can also harvest sunflowers for their seeds when the flower heads have fully matured, and the back of the head turns brown. Hang the flower head upside down to dry, then remove the seeds from from the head.

How to grow your tomatoes from seeds

When to plant: Tomatoes need six to eight weeks of warm weather to be truly fruitful. That means September onwards can be a good time to plant your seeds.

Tip: Wait until there is no more frost on the ground to plant, or plant them in a sheltered area.

How to plant: Tomatoes can be grown in a container, planter bag, pot or in the ground - they’re very versatile! To plant, start by adding a layer of good compost and then fill the rest of your container with soil. Then dig a deep hole and drop tomato seeds about 40cm apart. Your seeds will need heaps of sunshine and protection from wind, so place your pot near a wall or trellis.

How to care: It’s important to water your tomato seeds regularly so the soil stays moist - especially in dry weather. Consider adding a layer of mulch to help conserve water. As the plants grow and develop fruit, you will want to water more frequently.

Tip: Tomato leaves can be prone to fungus, so make sure you’re only watering at the roots, and not the leaves.

How to harvest: Your tomatoes are ready to harvest just before they’ve reached their full colour and are still fairly firm.

How to grow your basil from seeds

When to plant: Basil grows best through mid-late Spring and Summer months.

How to plant: Start using seedling trays and use a seed starting mix or potting soil. Sprinkle the seeds then gently press them into the soil and cover with another layer of soil. Once the basil seedlings have developed two to four good leaves, they are ready for transplanting into larger pots or your garden. Be sure to space them 8-12 inches apart.

Tip: Basil requires plenty of sunlight to grow well. Make sure the seeds are planted in a location that gets good sun throughout the day.

How to care: Make sure you keep the soil around your seeds evenly moist but not waterlogged. Avoid disturbing the seeds by pouring water directly on them. As your basil plants grow, pinch off the top set of leaves regularly to encourage bushy growth and prevent flowering. Flowering can affect the flavour of the leaves.

How to harvest: You can start harvesting basil leaves when the plants have reached a sufficient size. Use clean scissors or your fingers to snip off the leaves. Harvesting encourages more leaf production.

Tip: Basil and tomato are great complimentary flavours. Chop up along with garlic and olive oil and enjoy on some bread for delicious Italian Bruschetta.

How to grow your wildflowers from seeds

When to plant: Wildflowers can be easy to grow, and they can thrive in a variety of conditions. September-December is generally the time frame for planting.

How to plant: A spot with lots of sun and well drained, weed-free soil is optimal for wildflowers. Loosen the top layer of soil with a rake or garden fork then scatter the wildflower seeds evenly over the prepared area. Lightly press the seeds into the soil to get good seed-to-soil contact.

Tip: You can mix the seeds with a bit of fine sand to help distribute them more evenly.

How to care: Water the newly sown seeds gently to settle them into the soil. Keep the soil consistently moist but not waterlogged until the seeds germinate and the seedlings establish themselves. This may take several weeks. Once the wildflowers begin to grow, you can gradually reduce the frequency of watering. Make sure to weed the area regularly to prevent invasive plants from taking over.

How to harvest: Wildflowers will typically bloom in their second year of growth. Once they start to flower you can pick them as you choose or leave in the garden and enjoy the beautiful colors.

Tip: be patient, as wildflowers may take some time to establish themselves and reach their full beauty.