Even with indoor conditions, it isn't worth trying to get ahead of nature while daylight hours are short as things just don't grow well. I think I'm going to now crop this lot as micro greens and try again with a new batch now that we're only 2 days away from March, which I always deem to be spring, whatever the official vernal equinox may say. (March 20th this year according to Googled sources, for those of you who care about such things)
Sowing when you should is always more productive, so that's why I've been sticking to sprouting seeds in the airing cupboard for my recent weekly salad sowings - they're a roaring success, super quick, and very tasty too.
Edible things you can start sowing in heat now include chillis (which need a long growing season to flower, fruit and ripen) and the majestic globe artichokes which are so fantastic for their architectural stature and leaf form, their delicious immature flowerheads and for their glowing violet spiky flowers. These babies love to grow - here are my sowings from a week ago:
Already ready for potting on into small individual containers. I sense windowsill congestion is imminent. Just as well I have lots of space at my allotment to house these giants when they grow up. But they do make amazing border plants as well - don't be scared of statuesque specimens (says me, the six-footer) as height in the border is always a fine thing and stops things from getting boring.
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| The jagged grey form of artichoke leaves adds interest and they're also great for flower arranging. Don't be scared of tall things in your garden, whatever its size. Here, spring height is given by the dark-leaved shrub Physocarpus Diablo, and by the towering spires of foxgloves and russell lupins. The artichokes will take over the upper storey dramatics from mid to late summer with their huge thistle-like flower heads. |
I am feeling very pleased that I got organised enough to get ahead with September greenhouse sowings of some of my annual flower seeds. My greenhouse dwelling ammi, sweet williams and hollyhocks are now ready to shunt across to the cold frame, and those already overwintering in there can begin edging towards the great outdoors for proper planting in the borders. Which should make room for all my spring seedlings. (Why are greenhouses never big enough?)
I envy you the possibility to sow seeds indoors, my window sills are very narrow and only one is suitable for plants – that’s where I have my orchids. I plan to have salad for the first time this year, hope we get a great spring for that – and I too count spring as starting 1st March, although weather here in London doesn’t look much spring like at the moment!
ReplyDeleteI may have windowsills, but I also have cats who love to roost on them (and on any seedlings which are resting there). Grrrr.
ReplyDeleteAfter my experiments, I've concluded that microgreens and sprouted seeds are the 'staples' for the start of the year. You can add pea shoots to your list of early crops to try. I reckon because they grow as climbers that's why they don't leggy like most of the other salad crops do. You can either use up your seed from last year, or just use shop sourced dried peas :)
ReplyDeleteWe've just gone over the 10 hours daylight - I always think that's the starting gun for indoor salad sowings ready to plant out after the first frosts.
Thanks for joining in this month - things should start to go easier from now on :)
Great minds think alike - my conclusions are the same. I've got some peas in guttering in the greenhouse, but they're very slow. Am planning to try out the tip from Mark's Veg plot for sprouting shop bought dried peas indoors, just rinsing and keeping moist - like the mung beans.
DeleteYou can do that, but also worth growing them in some compost if you have room on your windowsill. You can get longer shoots that way just like the really expensive ones in the shops.
DeleteNext winter I'll be exploring using silver foil behind my seeds to see if the reflected light helps with legginess and also making a cheap grow light.
Thanks for the tip - might try both as a trial. I'm sure all results will be gratefully received by my youngest, the pea-shoot munching demon who worships this legume above all others.
DeleteI love height in the border! Have you ever tried any of the Eutrochiums (Joe Pye Weed) or Cup Plant (Silphium perfoliatum)?
ReplyDeleteNot yet, but will check them out now you've put me onto them. I have noted the Joe Pye Weed as one to try in the past, but have never got round to it. I'll try to make this year the year it happens!!
DeleteI wish you well on your 2nd attempt - take note for next year ;) We all do things we really know we shouldn't but taking the risk is always the route we go down!!
ReplyDeleteI grow globe artichoke in the border for it's flowers. I love it and it was one of the first pernnials I ever bought to this garden. Mind you - the other 2 I bought, I had to give away - they are way too large in groups for my garden!
I'm always the one fooled into thinking spring has sprung, then along comes the frost - it's all about the risks again!!
The weatherfolk say it IS coming next week (but for how long, who knows). Am looking forward to clearer skies and more degrees on my thermometers.
DeleteI learned that about early sowing, but it still is so sad for the eager gardener :) Good job to you for sowing your ammi in September! I am just going to get those started in my basement now. I am so excited about my new lighting/table set up! Looking forward to seeing how things go for you this year!!
ReplyDelete~Julie
Very jealous of your growing lights! I should learn my lesson really, but never do. Just want to get gardening by this time of year...
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