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Like many gardeners I buy more seeds than I actually grow. Attracted by colourful images on packets, I promise myself I will have a go. I put them, with all of the other packets from previous years, in a basket in the downstairs cloakroom. That is where they stay until I discover them in late summer when the moment has well and truly passed.
Lettuce seeds can be sown directly into the open ground. A packet contains a lot of seeds. To avoid a glut sow only a few at a time. 100 lettuce seeds spread one deep just covers a penny piece! That should be enough lettuces ready at the same time for anyone.
Why this happens I really do not know. Growing from seed is not difficult. It is an inexpensive way of growing a large number of plants and it is incredibly rewarding. With the increasing interest in growing vegetables, raising plants from seed has been given a new lease of life – so maybe it is time we all had a go?
Some subjects can be sown outdoors directly into the soil. These are traditionally sown in shallow drills and transplanted to the correct spacing when large enough to handle, or they are thinned out leaving only some of the seedlings to grow and mature.
Alternatively they can be sown thinly in patches and covered with a thin layer of soil or multi-purpose compost. Make sure you know what the seedlings look like, so that you can remove any unwanted weed seedlings as they appear.
Some subjects can be sown outdoors directly into the soil. These are traditionally sown in shallow drills and transplanted to the correct spacing when large enough to handle, or they are thinned out leaving only some of the seedlings to grow and mature.
Alternatively they can be sown thinly in patches and covered with a thin layer of soil or multi-purpose compost. Make sure you know what the seedlings look like, so that you can remove any unwanted weed seedlings as they appear.
Roottrainers
Rootrainers are easy, reusable and guarantee the maximum development of the root system of subjects with deep tap roots such as beans and sweet peas. The ridged structure of the tubular growing cell channels the developing lateral roots downwards forming a compact but deep rootball. When you are ready to plant out you simply open up the clam-like cluster of tubes and lift out the plants. There is no transplanting check, and the outer roots are immediately in contact with the soil.
Runner beans -
planting out
planting out
Runner beans germinate and grow quickly. The seeds can be sown individually in large cell trays. This makes them easy to handle and there is no check in growth when they are planted out.
If you have heavy, wet soil that takes time to dry out and warm up in spring, or your ground is just not prepared, then you will get better results by starting your seeds indoors, this could be on the windowsill, in the conservatory or in a greenhouse if you have one. You must also use this method to grow varieties that are not frost hardy; tomatoes, cucumbers, squashes and courgettes for example.
Traditionally most seeds were sown in trays of seed compost; then pricked out when large enough to handle, either into small individual pots or at a wider spacing into other trays of compost containing a little more fertiliser for the growing plants. Cell trays are increasingly popular, either to prick seedlings out into, or you can sow directly into individual cells of compost and they grow in these until they are planted out. This avoids the check in growth that occurs when young plants are disturbed; basically they stop growing until the root system has recovered and regrown.
Traditionally most seeds were sown in trays of seed compost; then pricked out when large enough to handle, either into small individual pots or at a wider spacing into other trays of compost containing a little more fertiliser for the growing plants. Cell trays are increasingly popular, either to prick seedlings out into, or you can sow directly into individual cells of compost and they grow in these until they are planted out. This avoids the check in growth that occurs when young plants are disturbed; basically they stop growing until the root system has recovered and regrown.
Pricking Out Lettuces
Prick out seedlings when large enough to handle. Always lift the seedlings from the bottom of the tray using a dibber. Only handle them by the seed leaves, never the growing tip, the stem or the roots. The thinner you sow your seeds, the easier it is to prick out.
Transplanting Seedling into Cell Trays
Transplanting seedlings into cell trays avoids transplanting check when you plant out into the open ground. Gently push the compost up against the roots of the seedling. Never push the seedling into the compost with the dibber.
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Always use fresh seed or multi-purpose compost. John Innes seed compost is ideal, but store it indoors in the dry before use. Wet John Innes is impossible to use for seeds. Soil-less composts are lighter and you may find them easier to use if you are sowing to prick out. |
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If using an electric propagator to start your seeds, remove them as soon as they have germinated. Leave them in and they will become weak and leggy. |
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Most seeds need to be covered with a thin layer of compost. You will find it easier to use vermiculite for this purpose. This helps to keep the surface warm and moist, and it is light and easy to handle. |
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Most seeds need to be covered with a thin layer of compost. You will find it easier to use vermiculite for this purpose. This helps to keep the surface warm and moist, and it is light and easy to handle. |
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Seedlings need plenty of light, warmth, air and moisture. Regular watering is essential. Buy yourself a decent watering can with a fine rose if you want to do the job properly. For a full account of sowing in the open ground and indoors buy my book Grow Your Own Vegetables. It tells you everything you need to know. |
Squash seedings
Large seeds like squash, courgettes and cucumbers are best sown individually in 9cm pots of multi-purpose compost. This means they produce a good root system before planting out and the compost contains enough nutrients to keep the young plants going.
