Garden Diary: Fruit and Vegetable Seedlings – 24th -25th April

In these uncertain times we all need an anchor in our lives to help keep us sane, so the commitment to grow all my fruit and veg from seeds is mine. The seeds and compost may have cost a small fortune, which will make the produce gold-plated if and when it grows, but this is my ‘anchor’ and helps to keep me focused.

However, I need to get more organised and create a planting plan to ensure a continual rotation of crops which is quite difficult when I don’t know how long certain seeds take to germinate yet alone how long before they crop.

Then there is the problem of where do I plant all this produce – the raised bed is full, I have no additional land to use to grow vegetables, and I only have so many large plant pots.

However, growing all my own fruit and vegetables from seed is already proving to be quite a challenge, especially lettuce. Lockdown has really made me appreciate the monthly markets where I used to buy all my established seedling plugs. It’s lucky I have the two cloches my garden Gnome made me last year, not only to protect the young seedlings from the elements but also as a refuge from the blackbird who thinks my vegetable area as his domain.

 

1. Lettuce Seedlings

So far I’ve had no success in growing lettuce and I can’t understand why. Fingers crossed the varieties I bought i Portugal will grow better than those from the U.K.

Iceberg Lettuce

I planted these lettuce seeds on the 17th March in seed compost and this is the result. What a waste of time! Looking back, these seeds were also a non-started last year so I think I’ll cut my losses and throw away the seeds as well as these pathetic specimens.

Lettuce – Gotte

I planted these in my coldframe on the 11th of April and so far so good!

Baby Leaf Spicy Mix

I never noticed when I ordered these they actually recommended for pots. I also planted these on the 11th April. The plastic crate is to deter Mr Blackbird.

Lettuce – Batavia De Paris

I believe there is safety in numbers so I planted the Batavia de Paris variety directly in this large container and covered with a plastic mini cloche (recycled fridge draw) to aid germination.

2. Melon Seedlings

Green Melons

I don’t know what variety as a friend gave me some seeds. Planted 31st March.

 

Galia F1 Melon Seedlings

I love Galia melons so as they are quite expensive in the shops I thought I’d try to grow my own from seed. Planted 11th April.

3. Butternut Squash Seedlings

I have a couple of varieties of squash so I am going to plant both. Planted 11th April

4. Courgette – Diamant F1

My original crop of courgettes have perked up and I’ve already harvested thre courgettes with several more in various stages of development. these were planted 11th April.

5. Aubergine Mix  Seedlings – Solanum Melongena L.

I’m not sure what to expect with ‘a variety’, we will see. Planted 31st March. As they are slow to germinate I will plant another batch of a different variety at the end of May.

6. Spinach Seedlings – Matador

This spinach grows like a weed! I planted these on April 5th and another batch of seeds in the same pot on the 15th. I don’t cook them but use the young leaves in salads.

That’s my six for this Saturday. Why not pop across to the Propagators Blog to touch base with other garden bloggers.