Domakihub Grow Plants from Seed: A Simple Step-by-Step Guide
Everything you need to start seeds successfully, from soil prep to transplanting.
Reviewed by Domakihub garden pros · 2026-06-23 · 5 min read
Growing plants from seed is one of the most rewarding ways to fill a garden, terrace, or courtyard — and it costs a fraction of buying established seedlings from a nursery. The video above walks you through the full process visually; this article breaks it into clear, practical steps suited to the Greek climate, whether you are tending a private villa, a holiday rental garden, or a hotel patio. With the right timing and a little attention, you can raise healthy, vigorous plants from almost any packet of seeds.
Why Start from Seed?
Buying seedlings is convenient, but your choice is limited to whatever the local garden centre stocks that week. Starting from seed opens up hundreds of varieties — heritage tomatoes, scented herbs, drought-tolerant ground covers — that simply do not appear on nursery shelves in Greece.
Cost is the other big argument. A packet of 50 basil seeds costs roughly the same as two potted seedlings. For property managers or holiday-rental owners who need to replant terraces seasonally, the savings add up quickly.
Timing for the Greek Climate
Greece's mild winters and hot, dry summers mean the seed-starting calendar differs from Northern Europe. Warm-season crops such as tomatoes, peppers, aubergines, and cucumbers should be started indoors in late January through March, so they are ready to go outside after the last frost (typically mid-February in Athens, later in Thessaloniki). Cool-season crops — lettuce, spinach, kale, pansies — can be direct-sown outdoors from September through November or again in early spring.
Mediterranean herbs like basil, oregano, and thyme thrive when started in late winter under glass and moved outside as temperatures climb in April. For coastal properties or the islands, the window is often two to three weeks earlier than mainland timelines suggest.
How to Grow Plants from Seed: 5 Steps
- 1
Choose the Right Seed-Starting Mix
Do not use ordinary garden soil or potting compost for seeds — both are too dense and can harbour pathogens that kill fragile seedlings. Buy a dedicated seed-starting mix (available at any Greek agricultural supply shop or garden centre), or make your own by blending equal parts perlite and fine coco coir. Fill clean trays or small pots to within 1 cm of the top and lightly firm the surface before sowing.
- 2
Sow at the Correct Depth
A reliable rule is to sow seeds at a depth equal to twice their diameter. Very fine seeds such as basil or petunias need only a light scattering on the surface — press them gently with a flat piece of cardboard and do not cover them. Larger seeds like courgettes, beans, or sunflowers should be pushed 1–2 cm deep. After sowing, mist the surface with a spray bottle rather than pouring water, which can dislodge seeds or compact the mix.
- 3
Provide Warmth and Consistent Moisture
Most seeds germinate best between 18 °C and 24 °C. Cover trays with a clear plastic dome or a sheet of cling film to trap warmth and humidity. Remove the cover as soon as the first shoots appear to prevent damping-off (a fungal collapse that kills seedlings overnight in stagnant, humid air). Check moisture daily — the mix should feel like a wrung-out sponge: damp but never waterlogged.
- 4
Give Seedlings Plenty of Light
Once germinated, seedlings need bright, direct light immediately or they will stretch and become weak — a condition called etiolation. On a south-facing windowsill in Greece this is usually achievable from March onwards. If you are starting seeds in January or in a shaded apartment, a simple LED grow-light on a 14-hour timer works well and is inexpensive. Rotate trays a quarter-turn every day so stems stay upright rather than leaning toward the light source.
- 5
Harden Off Before Transplanting
Seedlings grown indoors are unaccustomed to outdoor conditions: wind, intense Mediterranean sun, and fluctuating temperatures can shock them. About one to two weeks before their final move outside, begin 'hardening off': place trays in a sheltered outdoor spot for two hours on the first day, then gradually increase exposure over the following days. After a week they should be able to handle a full day outside. Transplant into their final position on a cloudy afternoon to minimise transplant stress, and water in thoroughly.
Rather have a pro handle it?
Get a vetted gardening pro in your city — one number, booked in EN/EL/DE.
FAQ
- When is the best time to start seeds in Greece?
- For warm-season vegetables and flowers, start seeds indoors from late January to March and transplant outside after mid-February (Athens) or mid-March (northern Greece). Cool-season crops can be direct-sown outdoors in September–November or in early spring.
- Can I reuse last year's seeds?
- Yes, though germination rates decline over time. Most vegetable seeds remain viable for 2–4 years if kept in a cool, dry, dark place. To test old seeds, place 10 seeds on a damp paper towel, fold it over, and leave for a week. If fewer than 5 germinate (50% rate), sow more densely than usual or buy fresh seed.
- Why are my seedlings falling over at soil level?
- This is almost certainly damping-off, a fungal disease encouraged by overwatering and poor air circulation. Remove any cover immediately, thin overcrowded seedlings, reduce watering, and ensure at least a brief daily breeze (a small fan on a low setting works well indoors). Affected seedlings cannot be saved, but healthy ones in the same tray can often be rescued.