It's a good idea to treat seeds with a good, all purpose fungicide (something like a Rose Dust or Tomato Dust will be fine) before planting. Place a small amount, just tip of a knife end, into packet, reclose and shake until seeds are covered. This will protect them from 'damping off', a common problem with very young plants.

Care of Seedlings

Seeds must be kept moist but not wet until seedlings emerge. This may take between 1-3 weeks, depending on plant type.

As they grow stonger, thorough but less frequent watering is required. They will need shade when young but should be increasingly exposed to sun so they become used to conditions in garden. Water in morning rather than at night.

Transplanting

Mark where you plan to put each of your plants. Use a trowel to make a hole large enough to take root system. Gently prise out seedling from its container taking as much of soil as you can with it into garden bed. Firm soil around plant in its new position, cover area with mulch and water in gently.

It is best to transplant in late afternoon or evening to give plants time to settle in less stressful conditions.

Add another thick layer of straw to garden 150mm (6 inches) and another layer of fertilizer and then top it off with a 100mm (4 inches) of compost.

Water garden until it's soaking and let it settle for a few days before planting.

Seedlings do better than seeds in no dig garden.

Here's what will happen. The seedlings will get a kick start in rich, compost top soil. The fertilizer underneath will start 'composting' of lucerne hay and straw. The composting will generate heat and biological activity that will really kick along seedling growth. The roots will further break down straw and hay and it in turn will become solid enough to support growing plants.

The newsprint is thick enough to discourage weed growth through layers, but will deteriorate enough to allow earth worms to chew their way upwards.

Continue to layer mulch, straw and compost as garden bed matures. Never dig this bed over, just layer more and more material as required. Rotate your crops and add fresh compost regularly.

Your garden bed will deliver consistent, spectacular results season after season.