Late February and Early March sees the fervent onset of seed sowing, with greenhouses and window ledges playing home to developing flower and vegetable seedlings.
First in are the Tomatoes and Sweet Peas as these need a long time to establish before planting out in may and June. Sowing in long pots to develop good root growth is essential for plants such as this. Old recycled yogurt and soup pots are ideal, just punch a hole in the bottom and you have a plant pot.
Before you sow any seeds at all, ensure that all your pots and utensils are scrubbed clean. One of the main causes of seedling failure is Damping Off, a fungus which causes the young seedlings to wilt and die. Once one pot is affected this disease can easily spread to other pots and seed trays, wiping out your seedlings within a couple of days.
To avoid Damping Off;
- Keep your pots and tools clean.
- Water seedlings from the bottom not from the top of the pot.
- Use tap water, as rainwater may be carrying bacteria.
- Ensure good ventilation around the seedlings.
- Use clean fresh compost designed for seedlings.