Nourish plants from tiny seedlings to kitchen table

In theory, all vegetables can be sown directly in the ground where they are to grow, but generally us gardeners tend to sow as many seeds as possible indoors to get them established in a protected environment before we leave them fend for themselves in the great outdoors.

As a rule of thumb, fast growing hardy seeds such as peas and beans, root crops such as carrots and parsnips and brassicas such as swedes and turnips are direct sown into the ground as their roots do not respond well to disturbance. All other seeds should do much better if you germinate them in a controlled environment well away from sly hungry slugs and wicked weeds.

This will be particularly pertinent if you are growing in an allotment or community garden away from the house. Starting plants off in one spot and then moving them to another also saves space-wasting in your prized plot as while seeds are starting in a separate propagation area, the space earmarked for their final position can be used for quick growing crops while plants are in their early stages.