Which way to sow?

Bob Flowerdew considers the relative merits of sowing crops in multi-celled trays versus sowing in situ

- Bob Flowerdew

NATURALLY, we sow many of our crops in situ, where they are to mature. With crops such as carrots and other longN we rooted vegetables, this is effectively the only way. However, for most others, have the option of starting in a more convenient place and planting out later. This ensures our new crops are well spaced and positioned, and allows simpler weed control for longer without a sown crop getting in the way.

On the other hand, plants sown in situ usually are the best - but only if they emerge and survive, which is less certain than planting out young plants. This is much easier now. In the old days they only had clay pots, which were bulky and breakable, and these were not very practical for starting off large numbers of crops. Wooden and then plastic trays (quite shallow) were used, and these worked well, but the roots would entangle and be damaged when seedlings were moved on.