The process of sowing seed has always been an exciting and nurturing experience. With each little capsule planted comes the promise of longer daylight hours, warmth and delicious home grown produce in the growing season to come. Seed by seed, packet by packet we are sowing hope as much as anything else and we all need this more than ever right now. For many on a fixed budget, for the well-being gain of freshly picked produce, so much fresher and full of flavour than anything supermarket-bought,and for the love of growing.
Being able to switch off from things beyond our control and tune into the growing of fruit and vegetables and the joy to be found therein, really offers so much.
MAKE EVERY SEED YOU PLANT, MATTER
Common advice dictates that seedlings should be thinned out and only the stronger-looking specimens used for growing on, with the smaller plants rejected and disposed off. Yet you can attempt to grow on every single seedling. That's want I do and have done for many years because I have found that most will flourish into productive plants given the chance.
Actually, your stragglers may just be seed that was planted a little lower into the soil than the others and therefore took longer to burst into life. It doesn't mean that it's a weak or defunct seed, far from it. Sure, it might take a bit longer to get growing, but this could be your lower- maintenance version of succession sowing all in one.
Try and make best use of every single seed and seedling and you are reducing waste in the process.
Germination tips for success
Although there are a multitude of different factors at play which contribute to the success of germination here are some all-round guidelines to help you on your way.
Think before you sow
This story is from the February 2023 edition of The Country Smallholder.
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This story is from the February 2023 edition of The Country Smallholder.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
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How to Buy a Smallholding in France- Long-time smallholder Lorraine Turnbull looks at the practicalities of moving to rural France
Aspiring smallholders are continually thwarted by the prices of smallholdings and property with land located within the UK. Even the humblest croft in Scotland comes with a substantial price tag and conditions which would make even an adventurous wannabee consider carefully. But all is not lost. For those willing to take the adventure of a lifetime, there is always Europe, and one of the most popular places is France.
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