Hardy perennials, annuals and vegetables maybe sown directly into the soil outside. Some, such as large leaf vegetables and biennials, should be sown in a seedbed first, and later transplanted to a main bed at wider spacings, whilst many others can be sown where they are to grow.

The two methods used for sowing outdoors are broadcast and drill sowing. Broadcast sowing involves casting the seeds broadly on the seedbed, whilst in drill sowing, the seeds are sown in rows. In this section, we offer you step-by-step guides to both these methods, as well as advice on preparing the seedbed and thinning out the young plants.