Seeds
How to read a seed packet, what to look for when choosing seeds, where and how to store them, and how to test germination yourself before sowing.
from seed to sprout: a guide to seeds and seedlings
From seed to sprout
Almost every plant on a windowsill or in a vegetable bed starts as a tiny seed, and almost every beginner's failure happens in the first few weeks: the seeds turned out to be old, the compost dried out, the light was too weak, or the seedlings went outside without being prepared. We have gathered calm explanations of what happens to a seed between the packet and its first true leaves, and how you can help it at every stage. There is no advertising here, no rankings and no miracle products — just clear principles that work in an ordinary city kitchen and on a balcony.
A seed does not need much: water, air and the right warmth. Most of a gardener's job comes down to making sure none of these is too much or too little.
Where to start
Windowsill seedlings
Sowing, light, watering, pricking out and hardening off — the steps from your first pot of compost to planting out in its final spot.
Microgreens
The quickest way to see results: young shoots in the kitchen, with little compost and almost no special equipment.
Herbs and houseplants
Culinary herbs and flowers from seed: how they differ from vegetable seedlings and why they often need more patience.
Guide sections
- Topics
A map of the guide: seeds, seedlings, microgreens and herbs, seedling care and common mistakes.
- Practical
Windowsill seedlings from sowing to planting out, step by step. Plus the article catalogue.
- Questions
Short answers about seeds and germination, seedlings, microgreens, herbs and houseplants.
- Collections
Reading paths: your first sowing, a windowsill garden, and what to do when things go wrong.
- Reference
A beginner gardener's glossary: seeds, seedlings and care in plain words.
- New
A dated feed of new pages in the guide.
- Archive
Every page in the guide, by date and topic.
Testing germination in five steps
Pick out the seeds
Take a small handful of seeds from the packet at random, without choosing the biggest and best-looking ones. That way the test shows what to expect from the whole packet, not just the best specimens. Write down how many seeds you took.
Spread them on a damp paper towel
Lay the seeds on a folded paper towel or cloth moistened with water and cover them with a second one. The towel should be damp but not sitting in water: to germinate, seeds need air as well as water.
Keep them warm and check the moisture
Put the towel in a container with a loose-fitting lid or in a bag and leave it somewhere warm. Check every day that it has not dried out and dampen it lightly if needed. Waiting times differ between crops — go by the packet.
Count the sprouted seeds
Once the usual time for this crop has passed, count the seeds that have put out a root. Compare that number with how many seeds you started with. Sprouted seeds can be planted carefully, as long as they have not dried out.
Draw your conclusion
If nearly all of them sprouted, sow as usual. If only some sprouted, sow more thickly to get the number of plants you need. If only a few or none sprouted, it makes more sense to buy fresh seeds than to waste time sowing these.
Common questions in brief
Do you sell seeds?
No. We sell nothing and take no orders — no seeds, no seedlings, no fertilisers. This guide only explains how to handle seeds and young plants.
Do you recommend varieties and shops?
No. We do not name varieties, seed companies or shops, and we do not compile rankings. Instead, we give you criteria so you can choose a seed packet that suits your own conditions.
Do I need a lunar calendar?
No. We do not use lunar calendars as a method. Reliable guides are the light and warmth in your home and garden, the weather in your region and the timings given on the seed packet.
What should I do if my seedlings get leggy?
Most often they are short of light and, on the contrary, have too much warmth. Move the plants closer to your brightest window or add a grow light, and if possible make the spot a little cooler.
About the project
This domain previously belonged to a company from an entirely different industry and was later used for unrelated advertising. The current guide has no connection with that company or that advertising content and repeats nothing from the former site. We read the name in the sense of the Russian word "rostok", meaning "sprout".
We write for city gardeners and allotment growers who want to raise plants from seed with their own hands: vegetable seedlings for the garden, greens for the kitchen, herbs and flowers for the home. This guide explains general principles and is no substitute for an agronomist's advice. The examples on this site are hypothetical.
Sources
- Plant physiology textbooks and reference books
- Botanical gardens' guidance for amateur growers
- Russian Federal Law on Seed Production (1997)
Information is current as of the date of preparation. Sowing and planting-out dates depend on your region, the weather in a given year, how much light your window gets and the temperature in your home, so go by your own conditions and the instructions on the seed packet. This guide explains general principles and is no substitute for advice from an agronomist or a botanical garden specialist.