Seed Sowing Time: Part 2: Planting the seeds

So, its time for seed to go into actual soil/compost now.

I've been collecting toiletroll tubes for planting in this year, I've never used them before, but thought I'd experiment. My Sweet Peas and Broad Beans have gone into them, they are kept moist and put in a warm place to grow. The Broad Beans seem to be doing well so far...

The Sweet Peas are germinating and growing similarly well. Sadly the cardboard is also growing fluffy and white... I'm not sure I should keep them indoors much longer!

I've also been planting other seeds; Tomato, Lettuce, Kale, Cauliflower and Purple Sprouting Broccoli. These went into a windowsill incubator and are also doing well.

Ed wrote the labels for me. He's doing so well with his writing!

Seed Sowing Time: Part 1: Preparing the seed

Its seed sowing time already. No, not in the ground; indoors.

Earlier in the year I left some Broad Beans and Sweet Peas to soak, this isn't really necessary, but I like to do it anyway.

I also set out my potatoes to 'chit', that is, to sit in the kitchen, in open egg boxes to grow their initial shoots. This speeds them up so they take less time in the ground; a very useful technique if you have heavy, wet, cold clay soils like I do.

This year I'm growing 'Winston', a variety I've not grown before. They are 'First Earlies', meaning that they go in the ground early in the season (preferably March or April) and grow quickly. They should be ready for harvesting by July.