Germination and survival

I think I’ve spotted some of those Black Russian tomato seeds germinating already. This is a huge surprise but just goes to show what a bit of heat adds. It’s like seeds in their beds with a blanket warmer on.

Inside the greenhouse the tender lettuce seedlings have survived. Encouraged by this I’ve transplanted nearly all of them now. The Charles Dowding seed plug trays are proving their worth. they have a very large hole at the bottom so once placed in a normal seed tray, they allow lengthening roots to stretch freely with no root binding. The speedy lettuces (sowed nearly a month ago) all have at least 2 true leaves and very long roots in some cases. We’ll see if they surge forward now immersed in compost from the garden laced with chicken manure.

The other seeds I planed were giant long leeks – my own seed. They were a success in the garden the year before last and the remaining ones spent the summer seeding themselves in huge seed heads, like giant..alliums..which is what they are I guess. Some had bent over into the soil and began seeding themselves (plants often work out better in the garden when I don’t interfere). Others were taken indoors, the seeds culled and I pickled them, in brine first then oil. They are delicious but even better tasting will be the wild garlic seed heads a bit later on in the year. The remainder I kept for seeds and so now they are underneath some fine compost, in Dowdings trays, hopefully regenerating themselves.

March Sowing

With the temperature slowly and reluctantly creeping up it seemed time to sow some more seeds. The onions, spring onions and broad beans I sowed last month..was it too early? were they showing any signs of life?

Despite Charles Dowdings warnings of seeds having a short shelf life I had recklessly sowed some old seeds anyway. He writes “Old ones germinate slowly and erratically. Also they grow less strongly” And to grow my own seeds to be more successful. The slow start was true – the onions took about three weeks! and the spring onions slightly longer. How do I know whether this is the result of old seeds or colder temperatures earlier? I report back on their weediness if that part of the prophecy is correct..

This year I have started trialling bought compost instead of using my own which is packed with weed seeds. In previous years I’ve had a fantastic gemination rate from a wide range of wild species not really appreciated as they try to suffocate the seeds I am trying to grow. To eat. Incidentally, my neighbour informs me that you can eat chickweed. It’s quite nice – I tried some. Frequently the weediest looking weeds had long clinging root systems far in advance of the poor delicate vegetable seedlings. After some research I’m trying Rocket Grow organic compost. Being costly I’m using it for the more delicate seedlings such as some speedy lettuce, onions and spring onions. The broad beans will have to compete with my own compost’s companions.

The speedy lettuce seedlings shot up speedily, as suggested by the name. Yesterday I planted some of them out. It won’t be long before the slugs are queuing up for them. I should have checked today..perhaps I’ll go out tonight…with my torch. The broad beans sulked. Careful not to overwater them this year I became too impatient last week and poked one or two to see if they were showing any signs of germination. Yep. They were. I really shouldn’t do that.

Yesterday I also sowed tomatoes indoors in the heated trays. Again old packets of seeds came out. I have an idea if I sow all of these old seeds then surely some might germinate;

Money maker

Black russian

Nello’s plum (these are ancient – I was given them about 20 years ago. Surely that’s a waste of time?)

Wilkos plum.

Ailsa Craig

Orange blush

Any signs of life will be suitably celebrated.