Take action with seedlings

It’s time for potting on and sowing outside, says Ruth

- Ruth Hayes

OUR windowsills have reached seedling saturation point. We have sown – and are still sowing – more than ever and they all need moving on into larger pots at some point.

If you have grown lots from seed it can seem like a daunting task, but once you get started it doesn’t take long and the results will be worthwhile.

All you need is some 3in (8cm) pots or large modules (this is why you wash and save garden centre plant packaging), fresh water, a dibber and compost. I generally use John Innes No1 or No2 for the smallest seedlings, multi-purpose for larger seedlings and vegetable plants or a mix of the three.

If pots and compost are limited, use large pots, dib five-seven holes around the edge for the seedlings, then grow on as you would if they were in single pots or modules. You may need to untangle each plant’s roots when it comes to planting out, but this is easy enough.