Seeds of most annuals are sown in a nursery to raise seedlings for transplanting later. A few seeds difficult to transplant such as Eschscholzia (Californian Poppy), Cosmos etc. may be sown directly at the permanent site, where they are to flower. These can be spaced adequately by thinning out after germination.

Seeds are sown in raised nursery beds, Seed pots and seed trays.

This is necessary to prevent ‘damping off ‘ which often kills young Seedlings. For this easiest method is to fill a large pan with water and bring to boil. Place a container with soil in the hot water taking care that no water enters the soil.

The soil should be sterilized for about 45 minutes. After this the soil should be spread on a piece of clean paper for drying before using it in seed pans.

The Seedlings are transplanted about a month of sowing when they have developed about 3 to 4 leaves. After transplanting of seedling. The beds may be weeded, hoed and watered regularly. Staking is necessary in some annuals like Sweet Peas, Carnations etc. After a few weeks of growth the seedlings may be pinched to make them bushy. It is not practiced in the case of Antirrhinum, Larkspur, Lupin, Stock, Hollyhock etc. A careful check may be made of disease and insect pests and prompt control measures adopter to control then.

The best mixture is
2 parts of loam
1 part of leaf mould
1 part coarse sand

The mixture should be made fine before filling if in seed pans.

Never sow the seeds in cold wet soil.

The smaller the seed the finer should be the soil in which it is grown .Too rich a soil must not be used. Cover the seeds lightly with fine sandy soil. For minute seeds, a mere sprinkling of soil is sufficient. A good rule is to cover the seeds with a layer of soil twice their own thickness.

As soon as the seeds have been covered give them a good watering from a can with a very fine nose. Keep the soil uniformly moist but not wet.
During winter the seeds could be covered with paper or plastic sheet during the day, so as to control the moisture level of the soil and removed during night.
Once the seeds germinate, this covering method could be stopped.

We can also use a good Seed Raising Mix for germination.