The Great Seed Sowing Debate: Which Method is Best for Your Flower Patch?
- Jane Westoby
- Apr 23
- 3 min read
Let’s be honest: seed sowing shouldn’t feel like rocket science. But if you've ever spiraled down a YouTube rabbit hole of propagators, soil blocks, and “must-have” gadgets, you know how overwhelming it can get.
So let’s cut through the noise, shall we?
In this post, I’m breaking down the four most common sowing methods for flower farmers and garden growers alike: direct sowing, trays, modules, and soil blocking. Whether you’ve got a full setup or just a few pots on a windowsill, there's a method for you.
1. Direct Seed Sowing: Low Fuss, High Risk
This one’s the no-frills approach. You sprinkle your seeds straight into the soil and let Mother Nature do the rest. It works best for hardy annuals like cornflowers, nigella, lepidium, and poppies — plants that hate being disturbed.
Pros:
Budget-friendly (no trays or compost needed)
No transplant shock
Great for succession sowing
Cons:
Poor spacing control
Vulnerable to weeds, pests, and surprise frosts
No backup plan if it all goes wrong
🌱 Top tip: Wait until weeds germinate in spring, hoe them off, then sow your seeds. It gives you a clean slate.
2. Tray Sowing: Fast Now, Painful Later
Ah, the tray method — where you fling seeds into a compost-filled tray in seconds and feel smug… until they all germinate. Fast forward two weeks, and what you’ve got is a tangled tray of dread.
Pros:
Quickest method to sow
Great for volume (if you're not fussy about spacing)
Good for small-scale trial sowings
Cons:
A pricking-out nightmare (every seedling must be handled individually)
Root systems tangle quickly
Easy to over-sow and overwhelm yourself
🌱My confession: “Every time I tray-sow strawflowers, I regret it. I look at the chaos and feel instant pricking-out dread.”
If you’re short on time at sowing stage but have hours free later to untangle roots, this might be fine. But for most of us? There are better ways.
3. Modules: The “Goldilocks” Option
Modules give each seed its own room to grow — think plant Airbnb. You start them indoors or under cover, then transplant them into the ground when they’re ready.
Pros:
Reduced pest losses
Better spacing and organization
Easy to calculate how many plants you need
Cons:
Requires space under cover
You’ll need decent-quality plastic trays (but they last for years)
🌱 Note: Avoid recycled cardboard cells — they suck moisture from the compost and dry out your seeds.
4. Soil Blocking: Eco-Chic with a Learning Curve
Soil blocks are like brownies for your seedlings — compact, cute, and plastic-free. You compress compost into small blocks and sow directly into them. I now grow as much as I can in soil blockers. Even though it does take more time to sow seeds (( With a toothpick - Individially !! )) Check out my Blog post Soil Blocking 101
Pros:
Plastic-free and sustainable
Roots are air-pruned (no circling or tangling)
Very quick & easy to transplant
Cons:
Compost needs to be just right (not too wet, not too dry)
Fiddly and time-consuming to sow
Blocks dry out fast
🌱Growers Tip: I use regular compost, no fancy mix. Less faff, great results.
Bonus Methods:
Pots: Great for large seeds like sweet peas, courgettes, or pumpkins.
Seed Snails: A fun new trend! Roll compost in a strip of cardboard or plastic, then sow seeds along the top. Not tested yet — but I might try this weekend!
Final Thoughts: Mix & Match to Suit Your Life
There’s no “one true way” to sow seeds — only what works for you. Use different methods for different plants, climates, and stages in your growing journey.
Quick Takeaways:
Start with modules if you’re unsure.
Use soil blocks for small and medium seeds (if you have the patience).
Avoid tray sowing unless you love pricking out seedlings.
Direct sow only when conditions are just right — and always label your seedlings!
Ready to get serious about seed sowing?
Read Our guides:
Listen to Our Podcasts:
🌸 Until next time — happy sowing!
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