Want To Grow But No Seed?

You don’t need packet seeds to grow food, says Bob

- Bob Flowerdew

In the current situation many people will now want to grow their own food in addition to those who already are, and there may be difficulty getting enough seeds. So what can you do if you cannot get ‘proper’ seed? Disregarding slight risks of importing pests or diseases in these awkward times, I rate the following as the best options.

Tomatoes are easy and should be started as soon as possible to crop well. Almost any shop-bought tomato has viable seeds, but it will probably be greenhouse variety. Even so, if started indoors and put out in late May, plants from these seeds should be fine.

Potatoes are grown from sets (small tubers) and shop-bought spuds that are planted will grow, though it’s best wash off the soil before planting to prevent pests and diseases. Sprouted and even withered spuds will do, if you only have a few. Rub off some shoots and pot these up for extra, though smaller plants.