Growing plants from seed is a very cost-effective way of filling your garden and vegetable plot with flowers and edible crops.
It’s very rewarding to follow the process of raising plants from tiny seeds, watching them progress through the growing stage and finally enjoying the results of your hard work – a colourful display of flowers in the borders or bountiful crops of tasty vegetables from the allotment.
During February, it’s not unusual to find seed trays and pots of seedlings crammed on windowsills and covering dining tables indoors, keeping seeds protected from the cold weather until they are ready to pot on or transplant into the garden when the time is right.
Grow your own from seed
It allows us to focus on gardening at a time when the weather has prevented us from starting jobs outside. This year, the wet days of January particularly slowed us all down.
If you are planning to grow from seed this year, choose a good quality seed compost. This will be finer and moisture retentive for seeds.
Sow in clean seed trays to ensure they are free of pests and disease.
It’s time to set some seeds
Use fresh, good quality seed. Sow thinly and remember to clearly label as you go. Vermiculite can be used to protect against fungal disease and retains moisture.
Plenty of daylight and warmth is required – you may wish to use a propagator or cover if required.
When watering, avoid very cold water, fill watering cans ahead and leave to warm up before watering.
Not all seed is sown in the same way or have the same watering regime, so read seed packets carefully, following instructions for best results.
Once seeds have germinated and are of a size to prick out or transplant, handle carefully by the leaf to avoid damaging the fine roots.
As the seedlings become stronger, they will need to be hardened off before planting outside, then as the warmer weather arrives, gradually introduce them to the outdoors for short spells of time.
There are numerous seeds available to sow throughout the year – here are some popular varieties, ideal to get you started early in the season.
Edibles – for the allotment or vegetable plot: tomato, chilli/peppers, broad beans, peas, leeks, beetroot, spinach and lettuce for early harvest. Seed potatoes and onion sets.
Herbs – for planters and in the garden: thyme, lavender, parsley and rosemary.
Bedding and annuals for summer tubs and baskets: marigold, pansy, petunia and geranium.
Perennials – for the borders and beds: achillea, delphinium, echinacea, poppy, lupin and verbena
Flowers – for cutting and arranging: antirrhinum, cosmos, sweet pea.
You could be enjoying a colourful floral border this summerGrow seed on a windowsill
Successful seed sowing can sometimes result in an overwhelming amount of seedlings – don’t despair, share with friends and family or swap with allotment neighbours so everyone can benefit from extra varieties to enjoy.
Growing from seed can be more time consuming but well worth the effort for the great sense of achievement you will receive! To get you started, why not take advantage of our seed offer, for a limited period only, 6 packets for the cost of 5 – mix and match.
FEBRUARY FOCUS
It’s the ideal time to plant bareroot fruit trees and bushes including red and blackcurrants, gooseberries and raspberries. They are often more cost effective as bareroot specimens and will establish quickly this time of year ready to start growing in spring, when the warmer weather arrives.
Snowdrops
PLANT OF THE MONTH – Galanthus Snowdrops
Growing for more than 60 years
Rougham Hall Nurseries at RHN Plant Centre and Farm Shop, Colethorpe Lane, Barrow IP29 5BE
Call 07813 008960
See rhn.me.uk
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