Creating an edible garden need not be expensive. Punnets of seedling are available at nursery's, however planting vegetables by seed is a cheaper way to go and can be much more rewarding. Also you can plant as many or as few as you wish. Seeds are readily available for your first round of seasons then after that you are able to gather your own seeds for planting by leaving one or two plants of each variety grown, to go to seed.
SEED SAVERS
Your local growers market may have a seed savers sharing
scheme. These schemes are wonderful for sharing seeds of locally grown produce
that is tried and tested in your area. Usually they operate by either exchanging
your excess seeds for those of a different variety or giving a coin donation in
exchange for seeds, if you have none to exchange. If you don't have a local seed
savers group - why not start one.
Here are the steps required to plant seedlings using a very
simple hot house.
SEED RAISING MIX
I like to use screed compost as a seed raising mix. Make
sure it has had plenty of time to mature as if it is too fresh it may burn the
plants. Alternatively seed raising or potting mix is readily available. Or you
may have a loamy patch in the garden under some trees that has had lots of leaf
litter rot down over the years - perfect for this project.
1. Find a sunny sheltered spot, clear out some of the existing
earth and fill with your moist seed raising mix.
2. Assemble your hot house with your window/s and some old
pieces of timber to create a little box, leaving plenty of room for the
seedling to grow underneath.
3. Create furrows for planting. If using packet seed, plant to
the depth and spacing indicated on the packet. If using your own or seed saver
seed a good rule of thumb is the smaller the seed the shallower the planting
depth, the bigger the seed the deeper in it goes. Cover the seed over with the
furrow side and press down lightly with your hand to put the seeds to bed. Use
a watering can with a fine rose head or a spray nozzle adjusted to a fine mist
to water the seeds in but don't flood
them.
4. Cover with the glass to create a warm little spot for the seed to germinate. Depending on what varieties you have sown you should see tiny shoots coming though within a week to 10 days. Make sure to keep the soil moist, but not wet and soggy. Once the seeds have germinated I like to open the window from time to time to let in some fresh air and also if there is some light rain falling.
5. Don't forget to label your rows, either with the packet used
or by user a black marker on a paddle pop stick. Including the date gives you
an idea of how long different varieties take to germinate.
6. After 3 weeks or so your seedlings will be ready to transplant into the vegetable patch or into your flower garden mixed in with flowers and shrubs.
Look after your seedlings as they grow and you will be rewarded with lovely
fresh vegetables.
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