Hooray, the last day of the darkest month of the year and already we can feel the days getting longer.
Now is the time for optimism to start making lists.
Some people loathe making lists as they feel it’s ageing, really?
A list ensures that we do not forget to do something important such as sowing seeds by a certain date or taking cuttings at the correct time, ageing?
That’s balderdash!
Time now to sow seeds of Cobaea scandens as these need a longer growing period before they start flowering.
February is the ideal time, in gentle heat for good germination and maximum success, sow the flat seeds on edge as this helps to inhibit rotting.
As with cuttings, the race is on between rooting and rotting, a race we wish to win so care and thought is a requisite.
I prefer to sow Cobaea seeds in modules, two seeds per module, and then discard the weakest of them, except that I do not because I am greedy.
Should two seeds germinate, let them grow but make certain to pot them on as they fill their pots with roots.
This applies to all seed-grown plants growing in pots, the idea being to allow them to grow without a check to achieve the optimum in health and vigour.
Other plants that prefer a longer growing period when grown from seed are begonias and antirrhinums.
Conversely, there are also seeds that it is wise not to sow too early.
These are sun-lovers, plants such as morning glory (ipomoea), zinnias and tithonias.
The beginning of May is the time to sow these under cold glass for by then, the sun has enough power to provide sufficient warmth for germination, and by the time our plants are ready to take their place outside in the middle of June, the night-time temperatures will be high enough for their requirements.
The clearing of the garden here continues, a refreshing process for we can immediately see just what needs renewing and repairing before the garden opens on April 1, 2026, when hopefully there will be spring flowers in abundance.
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