Bhg
  • Shop
  • News
  • Food
  • DIY
  • Garden
  • Renovating
  • Decorating
  • Health
  • TV
Bhg
  • Shop
  • News
  • Food
  • DIY
  • Garden
  • Renovating
  • Decorating
  • Health
  • TV
Subscribe
YOU’LL NEED A WEDGE TO HANG THAT DOOR
Watch 6:32

YOU’LL NEED A WEDGE TO HANG THAT DOOR

{headline}

{headline}

The cheapest way to grow your own vegies

The cheapest way to grow your own vegies

How to grow asparagus

How to grow asparagus

Growing sunflowers from seed in the garden, in pots and indoors

Growing sunflowers from seed in the garden, in pots and indoors

How to grow lemongrass at home

How to grow lemongrass at home

{headline}

{headline}

How to grow hibiscus

How to grow hibiscus

How to grow your own potatoes

How to grow your own potatoes

How to grow an apple tree

How to grow an apple tree

{headline}

{headline}

How to grow bougainvilleas

How to grow bougainvilleas

Everything you need to know to grow your own broccoli

Everything you need to know to grow your own broccoli

How to grow watermelons

How to grow watermelons

How to grow strawberries at home

How to grow strawberries at home

Secrets of Beautiful Gardens

Secrets of Beautiful Gardens

How to grow rhododendrons

How to grow rhododendrons

20 features that will sell your home

20 features that will sell your home

  1. Home
  2. Garden

How to grow your own vegetables

Nothing beats the flavour of backyard vegies and there is great satisfaction in growing your own produce - by Roger Fox
  • 16 Nov 2018
How to grow your own vegetables

Starting seeds is fun and richly rewarding—especially when done correctly

Growing your own vegetables from seed is a two-part process. First comes sowing seeds and encouraging them to germinate (sprout), followed by transplanting the seedlings into the garden in beds or pots. Seed packets will tell you whether you can raise seedlings in pots or punnets, or should sow the seeds directly where the plant is to grow. The packet will also indicate how long the seeds will take to germinate.

Sowing and germinating

  • Containers: Use new or clean pots or punnets with good drainage. Varieties that transplant with difficulty, such as lettuces and beans, can be sown in individual biodegradable peat pots (Jiffy Pots) so they can be planted out in their pots, preventing transplant shock. Set all pots in a tray.
  • Soil: Fill pots with pre-moistened seed-raising mix. You can buy it from nurseries, and a formula containing coir or peat, and perlite or vermiculite is best for plants that are germinating.
  • Moisture: Cover pots with clear plastic or glass, or a tent of sheet plastic, to maintain even moisture in the seed-raising mix until seeds germinate. Don’t use a cover in direct sunlight or you’ll cook your seedlings! Remove cover when seedlings emerge.
  • Light: Follow instructions on seed packets. Some seeds require moderate light; some need darkness to germinate.
  • Water: Most seeds must be kept damp, not wet, until seedlings emerge. Fine seeds need to be watered carefully. Use a mist spray, or add water to the tray. Once seedlings have emerged, water more deeply but less frequently, a light sprinkling won’t encourage deep rooting. Always use a fine hose spray or watering can with a fine rose.
  • Timing: Check containers regularly. Prick out crowded seedlings when about 12mm tall to a larger container. Make a hole in the mix with pencil for the seedling roots, firm mix around it and water gently. When seedlings are about 7-10cm tall, transplant into garden beds.

Tight on space? Here's our guide to growing vegetables in small spaces.

pic 2

Growing your own vegetables from seed is one of the most satisfying (and cost-effective) things you can do in a backyard. And with a mini-greenhouse, it's super easy to raise healthy little seedlings, which you can then plant out into garden beds - or pots - to grow on to maturity. The Jiffy Pots included in our Patch from Scratch starter kit are biodegradable, so you can plant them straight into the ground - how simple is that? buy our easy to use Patch from Scratch starter kit and get planting.

patch-scratch
$49

Patch from Scratch

SHOP NOW
Roger Fox
Roger Fox
Roger is an experienced garden editor at Better Homes and Gardens and has endless expert knowledge when it come to al things homes and gardens.

Get your mag delivered!-Save 29% off the cover price!

Subscribe for $4.95 per issue

Subscribe Now
Get your mag delivered!

Get your mag delivered!-Save 29% off the cover price!

Subscribe for $4.95 per issue

Subscribe Now
Get your mag delivered!

Recommended to you

YOU’LL NEED A WEDGE TO HANG THAT DOOR
Watch 6:32

YOU’LL NEED A WEDGE TO HANG THAT DOOR

{headline}

{headline}

The cheapest way to grow your own vegies

The cheapest way to grow your own vegies

How to grow asparagus

How to grow asparagus

Growing sunflowers from seed in the garden, in pots and indoors

Growing sunflowers from seed in the garden, in pots and indoors

How to grow lemongrass at home

How to grow lemongrass at home

{headline}

{headline}

How to grow hibiscus

How to grow hibiscus

How to grow your own potatoes

How to grow your own potatoes

How to grow an apple tree

How to grow an apple tree

{headline}

{headline}

How to grow bougainvilleas

How to grow bougainvilleas

Everything you need to know to grow your own broccoli

Everything you need to know to grow your own broccoli

How to grow watermelons

How to grow watermelons

How to grow strawberries at home

How to grow strawberries at home

Secrets of Beautiful Gardens

Secrets of Beautiful Gardens

How to grow rhododendrons

How to grow rhododendrons

20 features that will sell your home

20 features that will sell your home

Bhg
  • About Us
  • Subscribe Today
  • Contact Us
  • Terms and Conditions
  • Privacy Policy
Bhg Magazine Subscribe
  • About Us
  • Subscribe Today
  • Contact Us
  • Terms and Conditions
  • Privacy Policy

Brands

  • All Recipes
  • BHG Shop
  • Girlfriend
  • Home Beautiful
  • New Idea
  • New Idea Food
  • Practical Parenting

Our Network

  • marie claire
  • Beauty Crew
  • Who
  • Women's Weekly Food
  • Bounty Parents
  • That’s Life
  • Perth Now
  • The West Australian
  • 7Plus
  • Airtasker
  • 7NEWS
  • SocietyOne
  • Health Engine
  • Starts at 60
© 2021 Are Media PTY LTD
Get more from Better Homes and Gardens

Magazine Subscription Offer

Get your mag delivered!-Save 29% off the cover price!

Shop This Offer
Get your mag delivered!