Bob has a particular method of starting seed indoors which begins with packing the seed trays. According to Bob seedlings "like firm compost," something "they can really bite into." The compost came from bags bought at the farm shop. To fill a tray usually involves filling then pressing with the appropriate tool (bluntly pointed stick or iron) a few times to get the desired firmness and depth.
Some of the leafy greens, such as kale and mustard, we started in a scatter tray and then pricked out and placed it in a celled seed tray to continue to grow. Bob has created a variety of tools to ease this process. After watering the tray, you firm the compost once again with the block tool, then place the square doughnut tool over the cell and insert the green rod tool to make a hole for the plant. Insert the plant and firm the soil around it with un-sharpened pencil/finger.
He keeps most of the seeds in the conservatories to start, but each seed type is unique; like lettuce Bob says desires a cold snap to germinate so he sows them at the end of the day and leaves them out over night. All of these are beginning stages of plants that will eventually be planted into the field or polytunnels.
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