Seeds vary hugely in size, from the dust-like seeds of orchids to huge and almost indestructible coconuts. Their size is related to how long the seeds need to survive before they find suitable growing conditions in the wild. Orchids, for example, are shed onto permanently moist leaf mould and can grow straightaway. Coconuts, on the other hand, come equipped for a long sea voyage before being buried in the sand on a tropical beach.

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The size of each seed acts as its own instant guide to sowing depth - as a general rule, cover seeds with roughly their own depth of compost.

Here are our recommended sowing depths for many popular seeds.

Sow on the soil or compost surface

Foxgloves
Lobelia
Nicotiana
Polyanthus and primula

66010

Sow less than 0.5cm deep

Annual poppies
Aquilegias
Lettuce
Marigolds
Peppers
Tomatoes

66011

Sow 0.5-1cm deep

Chard
Cosmos
Cucumbers
Lupins
Radishes
Sweet peas

66022

Sow 1-2cm deep

Courgettes
French beans
Pumpkin
Spring onion
Sunflowers
Sweetcorn

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66023

Sow 2-4cm deep

Beetroot
Broad beans
Nasturtiums
Peas
Rocket
Runner beans

66024
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