---this year, all seeds that I've sown seem to have taken ages. Has anyone else found this as well or is it me ? I bought some multi-purpose compost from a local, very good nursery, but I haven't used this brand before and it seems to have lots of bits and pieces in it like woody or twiggy bits. I wouldn't ever use it again for seeds, in my view John Innes seed compost is hard to beat.
I went to the 'Country Living' Fair in London on saturday so I was away from Friday until Sunday. I had a brilliant time and have posted about it on my Craft Blog but being away meant that I was unable to get anything done at the lottie. I had a nice surprise on my return though as my Zinnia, Dahlia, and Cosmos seeds had all grown fast in those few days. The peppers, tomatoes. and chillies seem to be having a very slow start, in fact the chillies are just starting to peep through today.
It's been raining all day today, so that put paid to my going to the plot to sow the parsnips, spinach, carrots, and leeks which will be sown straight into the ground. So I'm hoping tomorrow will be better.
Congregatin'
4 days ago
13 comments:
I'm finding germination slow as well. It could be the old/cheap compost I'm using, the temperatures not quite right, or could be my impatience :-)
Hi John, thanks for dropping by. I don't think it's you being impatient, this year really does seem slow with the seeds. You are probably right about the temperatures though. I had a quick look at your blog, will look again later. You seem to have done quite a lot already this season, it all looks good.
I am so impatient when my seeds don't come up I put another seed in it's place. I wait 21 days before giving up on seeds. I found that the seed start mix is so fine that it is hard for it to hold the roots when transplanting. I mixed my seed start with organic potting mix 4 parts seed start to 1 part organic mix. This is giving me a sturdier plant root.
BECCA, thanks for the good advice. I think mixing composts is a good idea.
Maureen, Are your bulbs late, too? My crocuses and daffodils are not much behind my Mum's -- usually Pennsylvania is weeks behind UK. I haven't started any seeds yet as we will be going away in April (babysitting grandchildren)and I have no one to take care of them. Have a Happy Easter. Pam x
PS I have a new blog at a new address - easier for you to follow!
Hi PAM, yes my bulbs are late too, they are up but no signs of any flowers yet.
It's a shame you can't sow any seeds, but I'm sure having the grand-children around will more than make up for it. You can always sow them a little late this year, I'm sure they will catch up.
I will check out your new address.
Have a Happy Easter. M x
I haven't even considered sowing anything direct yet, the ground is just too soggy, but everything planted in the greenhouse or on windowsills have mostly germinated ok. I was hoping to get my potatoes in on Good Friday, but I don't think it will be dry enough.
Hi JO
I don't think I will ever get to sow direct at this rate either. It's raining yet again. So much for Global Warming eh !!!!
Like you I haven't planted my chitted potatoes yet and was hoping to this week-end, so lets hope for some nice weather.
Have a lovely Easter. M x
I have also had really slow germination with the seeds i have sown, and then I have had no germination with the seeds I'm yet to sow ;)
Hi Doc. I'm having mixed results. Some things (my ornamentals are germinating) but I find that my vegetable seeds are not going anywhere.
If nothing is up after two weeks, I'll sow again!
Hi Prospero. It seems a common problem this year for everyone. I had to sow more peppers, basil, chillies, and tomatoes but then you can guess what happened !! the sneaky little things decided to put in an appearance and now I have far too many of everything. So give yours a little longer or go steady on the next sowing ( not too many) just in case they appear.
Hi Maureen
Just saw your post and noticed the bemoaning of mutli-purpose compost. Vital Earth do a good peat free in a number of varieities. The multipurpose seems to be fine for seeds if you are prepared to give it a little riddle first. They do do a seed compost but I'm having difficulty tracking it down. Hope that helps.
Rob
ROB, thanks for that. I have to say I've never heard of or seen that brand of compost, but I will look out for it. Since buying the John Innes seed compost everything seems to be coming on fine now.
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