GARDENING: Now's the time to plant Busy Lizzie seeds, says Brian Kidd

Take a good look at the seed packets and don't go for the cheapest '“ a common mistake.

Look at the illustrations and you will see some rather unusual ones. There are a lot of glorious types, so avoid the packets of ordinary mixed.

If you see they have F1 hybrid mentioned on the packet, think about quality and the fact that they will germinate really well . If they don't the seedsman will send your money back or offer you another packet of seeds.

We need to be able to gain a temperature of 18-20C (65-68F). This is easier on a window ledge than  in a greenhouse.

If that isn't possible, then wait for another three weeks. Don't panic, there is plenty of time because Lizzies grow quickly.

Before sowing the seeds, make sure the seed tray has been scalded with boiling water to kill any lurking bacteria.

Fill the seed tray with any seed compost right to the top of the tray and shake it to ensure the surface is even.

Then use something like a ruler to ensure the surface is level. Don't firm the compost because watering will do that perfectly well.

Now come the important bits.

Soak the seed tray and compost in a solution of copper mixture which will prevent damping off disease. Make sure the compost is really saturated before sowing the seeds.

Busy Lizzie seeds are large enough to space about an inch apart.

As they germinate in the light, sprinkle about an eighth of an inch of vermiculite all over the surface and then leave them in the light and cover the seed tray with a single sheet of newspaper.

The vermiculite absorbs water and keeps a fine film of water all over its particles.

The seeds are then surrounded by moisture and they will all germinate. Promise!

Don't believe me? If you haven't tried this before, then why not join the dozens of News readers who have been really successful.

If you like the idea of sowing directly into insert trays then choose the 40-cell size.

Instead of sowing them in a seed tray, make sure you sow one seed in each cell and cover them with vermiculite. Now let them germinate in full light, but not hot sunshine.

Whichever method you decide to try, remember it is important not to allow the seeds to dry out, so a daily check on moisture content of the compost is vital.

And to prevent damping off disease there is no reason why you should not water with a copper solution again.

This will not do any harm but remember, it prevents not cures that damping off problem.

THIS WEEK'S TOP TIP

What a difference the extra hour of light in the evenings makes. It's helping us catch up with all those jobs in the garden. Don't despair, in just a few weeks we will be enjoying seeing baby birds.