Peat based (or a peat alternative) type compost is ideal.

Now this is the time to decide if you want to sow your seeds in plug pots (preferred), pots, trays or inserts.

It is also time to calculate how many plug pots (preferred), pots, trays or inserts you will need to sow the number of seeds you are going to sow.

You can sow one calendula seed in each plug pot. And as a rule of thumb, you can easily sow up to 5 calendula seeds in a 75mm (3 inch) pot. Or up to 20 seeds in a half size seed tray. 50 in a full size seed tray and any combinations in between.

Sieve enough compost, on to your potting bench, or potting tidy/caddy, to fill all your trays or pots.

Don't discard the sieved out lumps and bits. These can be used in the bottom of larger patio pots when planting them up with your own home grown plants. (Save the lumps and bits in an old compost bag until needed).

Fill the plug pots (preferred), pots or seed tray/s with compost to about 5mm below the rim (this does not need to be exact - about 5mm will do).

Lift the tray or pot to a height of about 15cm (6 inches) and gently tap it on the bench. Do this about three times. This will settle the compost into the tray or pot to about the correct level.

The compost should now be about 10mm (1/2 inch) from the top of the tray or pot. This does not have to be exact so don't worry if it is a couple of mm higher or lower. It will make no difference to the end result.

Take your correct size tamper and gently level the surface of the compost. DON'T push the tamper with any force. All we want to do here is level off the surface of the compost, NOT compact it.

*This gives an ideal surface to sow the seed on.

That's it. You have now successfully filled your first tray or pot with compost.

Now Fill the rest of your trays or pots in the same way.

*(Doing this correctly will increase your propagation success rate)

This is the fun part, sowing the seeds.

Calendula seeds are large enough to be handled individually quite easily.

So you can sow your calendula seeds singly in your plug pots (preferred). Or one at a time in your pots, trays or inserts.

If sown in trays or pots make sure the seeds are not bunched together. Spread them out evenly over the surface of the compost.

There you go see how easy it is?

All that is needed now is to cover the seeds with a very light "dusting" of sieved compost. Just enough to cover the seeds and no more.

When you have sown all your seeds don't forget to label them with plant name and date of sowing.

Watering

Water your trays or pots with great care.

With your mist sprayer, set at it's finest spray, filled with tepid water and held at about 100mm (4 inch) from the pot or tray, lightly spray the surface of the compost. Don't get to close, or overdo it here, you will disturb the seeds which is exactly what you don't want to do!

The idea is to settle the surface of the compost with the fine mist from your sprayer. This prevents the seeds being disturbed.

Now fill a container, large enough to put the tray or pot in, with tepid water *(preferably water that has been standing in a warm place for about twenty-four hours) and definitely NOT rainwater, use good old tap water!

Stand the tray or pot in the container of water and leave it until you see the surface just becoming moist.

This usually happens fairly quickly so don't be tempted to go off and do something else.

*Do not overdo the watering process, you don't want the compost saturated, or your seeds may rot and not germinate.

*(By doing this correctly you will greatly increase your chance of success).

Germination

Cover your trays or pots with glass or clear plastic (or preferably, for ease of use, place in a propagator - unheated will do).

Keep your tray or pot in the light, (not direct sunlight) and maintain a temperature of 10C to 15C (50F to 60F).

After Germination

When your seeds have germinated and are large enough to handle transplant them individually into 8cm (3inch) pots.

Be very careful handling the seedlings. Do not handle them by their stems as this will cause irreversible damage resulting in the seedling collapsing.

Handle the seedlings very gently and only by their leaves.

Tease the seedlings roots out with great care ensuring not too many roots are damaged.

Time and care taken hear will really pay dividends giving your seedlings the best possible chance of growing on successfully.

Use a good quality potting compost. A sieved peat based or peat alternative compost will be fine.

If you used plug pots (preferred) to sow your calendula seeds in all you need do is pot up the seedlings directly into 8cm (3inch) pots still in their plug pot.

Using plug pots prevents disturbing the seedlings root system which lets them grow on unchecked. (This what you want - the best possible chance for your seedlings).

When you have transplanted all your seedlings don't forget to label them with plant name, sowing date and transplanting date.

Water your pots with great care.

Fill a container, that is large enough to put your pots in, with tepid water *(preferably water that has been standing in a warm place for about twenty-four hours) and definitely NOT rainwater, use good old tap water!

Stand the pots of seedlings in the container of water and leave them until you see the surface just becoming moist.

This usually happens fairly quickly so don't think about going of and doing something else.

*Do not overdo the watering process, you don't want the compost saturated, or your seedlings will rot and die.

*(By doing this correctly you will greatly increase your chance of success).

Keep the transplanted seedlings in good light (not direct sunlight) until they are large enough to be hardened off.

Aftercare

Plants should be gradually hardened off by placing them outside, in a sheltered position, during the day.

A cold frame with the lid open is ideal for this. If it is very cold during the day close the lid, but watch out for excess condensation.

If there is excess condensation prop the cold frame lid open slightly until the condensation disappears.

Bring them in at night to avoid severe frosts.

When they are ready for planting out, make sure it is after the last frosts.

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