I get to spend my days surrounded by plants at every stage of their life cycle - but there’s something especially magical about seedlings. Watching those tiny green shoots push through the soil never loses its wonder. Each one holds the promise of a future harvest, the preservation of heirloom varieties, and the continuation of stories that gardeners have been growing and sharing for generations.
My 8 seed starting tips
Raising plants from seed isn’t just about saving money or filling your garden beds, it’s about connection. When you nurture a seedling, you’re part of a much bigger cycle: the passing down of flavour, resilience, and diversity through open-pollinated heirlooms.
But it’s also personal. Caring for seedlings teaches patience and attentiveness. You water gently, check in daily, and celebrate every little milestone as they grow stronger. It’s a rhythm that slows you down and reminds you to notice the small things.
Seedlings are fragile, yes, but they’re also full of potential. With the right care, they’ll reward you many times over.
Over the years, I’ve raised more seedlings than I can count, and I’ve learnt that the smallest details make the biggest difference. Here are some of my go-to practices for giving seed babies the best possible start.
1. Sow at the right time
Timing is everything. Check the seasonal guide on your seed packet and sow when conditions are right. Planting too late means crops may not mature in time to harvest, while sowing too early can expose young plants to stress.
2. Sow at the right depth
As a rule of thumb, plant seeds about twice as deep as their size. I sow tiny seeds on top of the soil and just water them in - the water carries them to just under the soil surface, while larger seeds can be buried deeper. Too shallow and they may dry out, too deep and they may never emerge.
3. Choose the right mix
Seeds need a fine, free-draining seed-raising mixthat holds enough moisture without becoming waterlogged. A good mix gives those delicate roots the space to grow strong.
4. Water gently
It’s easy to love your seedlings a little too much with the watering can. Use a fine spray or mister so you don’t wash them away, and aim for consistently moist (not soggy) soil.
5. Give them light and warmth
Most seeds need warm soil to germinate and good light as soon as they emerge. A sunny windowsill, greenhouse, or warm spot outdoors works well, just make sure young seedlings don’t scorch.
6. Thin them out
This is the hardest part for many gardeners. When multiple seedlings pop up, you need to thin them so the strongest ones can thrive. It feelscruel, but think of it as giving your seed babies room to grow.
7. Keep the air moving
Good airflow helps prevent diseases like damping off. A gentle breeze, open window, or even spacing makes a huge difference.
8. Harden off before planting out
Seedlings raised indoors or in a greenhouse need time to adjust before facing the elements. Gradually introduce them to the outdoors - start with a few hours in a sheltered spot, then increase their exposure each day. This gentle transition toughens them up and helps prevent transplant shock, and remember to protect your babies from possible late frost by using a cloche.
Raising seedlings isn’t complicated - it’s about steady, gentle care in those early days.
Saving and sharing seeds
For me, growing from seedis never just about one season. It’s about keeping heirloom varietiesalive so they can be grown, loved, and passed on again. Every packet of open-pollinated seed carries history, stories of flavour, resilience, and the gardeners who kept them going before us.
At Diggers, our seed team produces Australia’s largest range of heirloom vegetables, herbs, and flowers. We grow them organically, let them set seed, and carefully select the best to ensure they stay true to type. It’s detailed work, but I find it deeply rewarding knowing these seeds will go on to live in gardens all over the country.
If you’ve never tried saving your own, start simple. Beans, peas,and tomatoes are great first choices. Saving seed not only saves money, it helps your plants adapt to local conditions and connects you more deeply with your garden. Best of all, seeds are for sharing - swap with friends, neighbours, or family, and become part of gardening’s most generous tradition.
It’s one of the most satisfying parts of gardening: sharing seeds with friends, swapping with neighbours, or handing them down to family. It’s a reminder that gardens are living, generous places.
Celebrating the small things
Raising seed babies is about more than just gardening. It’s about slowing down, noticing the details, and celebrating small victories. It’s about trust. Trusting that something so tiny can grow into something abundant if you give it care.
I hope you’ll give it a try, whether it’s a few pots on a windowsill or a whole bed of seasonal veg. Start simple, keep at it, and enjoy the process. There’s nothing quite like nurturing seedlings into strong, thriving plants, and knowing you grew them from the very beginning.
Anna-lize is the Seed Production Manager at The Diggers Club, where she oversees the growing, harvesting, and preservation of Australia’s largest range of heirloom seeds. With a background in horticulture and a passion for open-pollinated varieties, she works closely with the Diggers seed team to ensure members and gardeners across the country can access high-quality, organically produced seed.
For Anna-lize, every seed tells a story, and she’s dedicated to keeping those stories alive for future generations of gardeners.
