Starting and sowing
Practise first, or open the explanations as you go. A useful gardening answer includes the conditions in which it applies.
Seeds and starting out
What is germination?
A seed beginning to grow
Germination is the start of growth from a seed.
What should you check before choosing a sowing date?
The variety's seed packet
Sowing windows vary by crop and variety; the packet gives specific guidance.
Why label a seed tray?
To record what and when you sowed
A crop name, variety and sowing date make later observations useful.
What does sowing depth describe?
How far below the surface a seed goes
Depth is measured below the growing-medium surface and varies between seeds.
What should you do if seedlings have not appeared yet?
Check the expected germination time
Different seeds take different amounts of time; check the packet and conditions before starting again.
Further reading: RHS guidance. Questions and explanations are original; no RHS endorsement is implied.
Hardening off
What is hardening off?
Gradually acclimatising plants to outdoor conditions
Plants raised under protection need a gradual transition before outdoor planting.
Why move a sheltered young plant outdoors gradually?
To reduce sudden environmental stress
Wind, sun and temperature outside can differ substantially from sheltered conditions.
Does hardening off make a tender plant frost-proof?
No
Acclimatisation does not change a plant's basic frost tolerance.
Which is a poor first step for a tender sheltered seedling?
Leaving it out during a frost
Avoid exposing tender plants to damaging cold.
What guides the pace of hardening off?
Plant needs and weather
Adjust exposure to the plant and actual conditions.
Further reading: RHS guidance. Questions and explanations are original; no RHS endorsement is implied.
Plant life cycles
What is an annual plant?
A plant completing its life cycle in one growing season
An annual germinates, grows, reproduces and dies within a single growing season.
What is a biennial plant?
A plant usually completing its life cycle over two years
Biennials commonly grow vegetatively first and flower and seed in their second year.
What does vegetative growth refer to?
Growth of structures such as leaves and stems
Vegetative growth is growth outside the reproductive flowers and seeds.
What is deadheading?
Removing spent flowers
Removing faded flowers can improve appearance and, for some plants, encourage more flowering.
Does every perennial remain above ground in winter?
No
Many herbaceous perennials die back above ground and regrow later.
Further reading: RHS guidance. Questions and explanations are original; no RHS endorsement is implied.
Seeds to plants
What does pricking out mean?
Moving small seedlings into their own space
Pricking out separates young seedlings so they have room to develop.
Which is gentler when handling a delicate seedling?
Support it carefully, avoiding damage to the stem
A damaged stem can be fatal; handle seedlings gently and keep roots supported.
What does thinning seedlings achieve?
More room for those remaining
Removing excess seedlings reduces crowding.
What is a seed drill in a small vegetable bed?
A shallow groove for sowing
A drill is a prepared line or groove into which seeds are sown.
Why sow a small manageable batch first?
To learn without committing all space and seed
Small batches make observation and adjustment more practical for a beginner.
Further reading: RHS guidance. Questions and explanations are original; no RHS endorsement is implied.
Succession and records
What is successional sowing?
Sowing batches at intervals
Staggered suitable sowings can spread the harvest period.
Does successional sowing suit every crop at every season?
No
Crop type, variety, light and season determine whether another sowing is sensible.
What is useful to record with a sowing date?
Crop and variety
Crop, variety and date help compare results and plan future sowings.
What should an honest growing journal call a planned task?
Planned
Plans and observations should be kept distinct.
What does a dated crop photo help show?
Actual visible progress at that time
Photographs are useful observations, but cannot establish everything about a plant.
Further reading: RHS guidance. Questions and explanations are original; no RHS endorsement is implied.