This is a good way to beat the weather and give your crops a head start.

Hardy plants like onion, cabbage and lettuce can be grown indoors from January to March and then planted out under cloches. a warm start indoors is advisable for tender plants tomato, courgette, peppers, and cucumber.

Fill seed trays or pots with good propriety seed compost. A good compost provides moisture, air and food. All you need to provide is warmth.

Click here for information about artificial lighting.

Firm the compost down lightly and thinly scatter the seed across the surface. Fine seed can be mixed with sand for easy distribution. Cover the seed with a thin layer of compost and stand the tray in water. Watering from the top can displace seeds. When wet take the tray out of the water and store somewhere warm. Cover the tray with glass or cling-film to prevent the compost drying out. When shoots appear remove the covers and store in a warm, light, airy position, ie: windowsill.

When seedlings are large enough to handle pot them on in individual pots. 

Part 2: Sowing Outdoors

A good crumbly weed free soil is essential for easy sowing and successful germination. Digging the soil well over winter will ensure this.

Freshly dug soil may be firmed down by treading along the sowing surfaces ('the gardeners shuffle') and a good raking down will help.