Seedlings
I have been planting seeds for a few weeks now, and things are starting to happen. But don't worry if you've not started yet, there is still time to start most seeds off, and some still are best left till later in April or May. Check the instructions on the packets and start sowing.
I've only started hardening off some hardy wildflowers as it is still quite chilly, and my seedlings are still very small; so I'm just potting up to give the roots some extra room. I use the veranda at the back of my house, as it has a clear roof, but I do just as well on my sunny kitchen window ledge, with the long thin propagator boxes.
Seeds for Bread Making
Here we have a few extra ingredients for your home baked bread.
Bread Seed Mixes
Bread Seedmix No. 1, with sunflower, pumpkin, linseed and poppy seeds. £1.15 for 100g bag.
Bread Seedmeix No. 2, with sunflower, linseed, sesame and caraway seeds. £1.15 for 100g bag.
Bread Seedmix No. 1, with sunflower, pumpkin, linseed and poppy seeds. £1.15 for 100g bag.
Bread Seedmeix No. 2, with sunflower, linseed, sesame and caraway seeds. £1.15 for 100g bag.
*White Horehound Wildflower Seeds
PERENNIAL
marrubium vulgare
The leaves of white horehound look a little like mint leaves and the white flowers are clustered around the upper part of the stems.
Height: 25-45 cm
To find sowing information please click here.
Motherwort Wildflower Seeds
PERENNIAL
leonurus cardiaca
Motherwort is a herbaceous plant in the mint family with pink to lilac flowers that have downy outer casings.
Height: 60 - 100 cm
Flowers: June to August
To find sowing information please click here.
*Sowing Wildflower Seeds
Wildflower seeds can be sown directly to the flowering position or started off in trays under cover. Most seeds are best sown either in the Spring (Mar-Apr) or the Autumn (Aug-Sep), but if this is different we have added instructions with that particular seed information. Autumn sowings are best for areas that are already quite grassy. To begin in trays, sow the seeds in a seed compost on a sunny window ledge or in a green house. Pot up seedlings when large enough to handle and harden off for 7-10 days to acclimatise the plants to the outdoors.
If sowing direct to the flowering area, you can mix the seed with fine sand to help achieve an even sowing. The area must be well weeded before sowing. Your wildflowers are pretty good at maintaining themselves, but you can add and remove plants to get the look you want. Deadhead plants if you don't want them to self seed and collect seed for plants you want to start off indoors. A good mix of annuals and perennials will help produce an interesting display year after year.
LOOK OUT FOR THIS SIGN FOR FLOWERS THAT WILL ATTRACT AND HELP LOOK AFTER OUR BEE AND BUTTERFLY POPULATIONS
If sowing direct to the flowering area, you can mix the seed with fine sand to help achieve an even sowing. The area must be well weeded before sowing. Your wildflowers are pretty good at maintaining themselves, but you can add and remove plants to get the look you want. Deadhead plants if you don't want them to self seed and collect seed for plants you want to start off indoors. A good mix of annuals and perennials will help produce an interesting display year after year.
LOOK OUT FOR THIS SIGN FOR FLOWERS THAT WILL ATTRACT AND HELP LOOK AFTER OUR BEE AND BUTTERFLY POPULATIONS
Wild Carrot Seeds
BIENNIAL
daucus carota
A pretty flower with collections of off white umbrella like flower heads. Sometimes the central flower of the plant will turn shades of pink and red.
Height: Up to 1 metre
Flowers: June to September
To find sowing information please click here.
Greater Mullein Wildflower Seeds
BIENNIAL
verbascum thapsus
Greater Mullein is a large wildflower (sometimes growing to 2 metres) with dense groups of yellow flowers and rosettes of downy leaves. Easy to sow from seed, for best results sow in the Spring or Autumn.
Greater mullein helps to support the caterpillar of the mullein moth.
To find sowing information please click here.
White Campion Wildflower Seeds
PERENNIAL
Silene Latifolia (alba)
Flowers May to October.
These seeds are easy to sow at any time of year. To flower for the same season sow seeds from March to May.
To find sowing information please click here.
Sowing Rhubarb Seeds
25 February, 2012.
To create a good rhubarb patch using plants is very expensive. I've found growing rhubarb from seed is pretty easy, and I've started sowing a few pots now, but will sow more as spring arrives. I used three large pots, and placed three seeds in each, sowing about 2cm deep. I watered a little and left outside to germinate. The weaker seedlings should be removed once they begin to grow.
One of my autumn sowings. It will be next year that I can begin harvesting. The following year will produce a full harvest. This method is slower than buying plants but is so much cheaper.
Comfrey Seeds
symphytum officinale
PERENNIAL
Comfrey leaves are used as a compost activator and a mulch, they also make a useful liquid manure. A variety called Bocking 14 has been developed as a sterile plant that does not produce seeds, as comfrey will seed very easily. Our variety will self seed, so is best used in a well maintained area. Sow March-June. You can chill in the fridge for 14-28 days before sowing to activate the seed for more successful germination. Sow indoors in trays, thinly, 12mm deep. Harden off for 7-10 days after risk of frost. Plant out 60cm apart.
To find sowing information please click here.
Wildflower Annual Mix of British Produced Seeds
Or 4 packs for £4
Contains a selection of British varieties produced in the UK; White Campion, Corn Chamomile, Scentless Mayweed, Charlock, Corncockle, Cornflower, Field Forget-Me-Not, Corn Marigold, Field Pansy, Wild Poppy, Field Poppy & Long-headed Poppy.
Sow in either spring or autumn. Will flower about three months after a spring sowing. Prepare the ground well before sowing. To aid an even sowing mix the seed with another substance such as fine sand.
These annuals can be maintained by self seeding but will need weeding and thinning.
Bugle Wildflower Seeds
PERENNIAL
ajuga reptans
A good carpeting wildflower, with dark evergreen foliage and early flowering to support bees early in the season. Sow either March-May or August-September. Start seeds off indoors; sow thinly on seed compost in trays covering with a thin layer of compost (germination can be erratic). Water from the base and keep moist (do not water seeds and do not over water). Prick out seedlings when large enough to handle and pot-up. Harden off when there is no risk of frost. When planting out protect young plants from slugs and snails.
*Yellow Rattle Wildflower Seeds
ANNUAL
rhinanthus minor
Yellow rattle is a semi-parasitic wildflower that is used to inhibit the growth of grass on order to allow other species to thrive. It feeds of the grass roots and is helpful when beginning to create a wildflower area where grass was the main plant growing. Yellow rattle must be sown in the autumn as it needs the cold winter weather to trigger its germination in late February to early March. To sow. Mow the grass short and 'scarify' the ground by ripping through parts of the ground with a claw fork (or similar tool). You will need between 0.1 and 1 g of seed per m2 (our packs are 1g) depending on how dense you want the yellow rattle. For best results you can sow two years in a row. Yellow rattle may need managing as it can feed off the roots of other plants; in this case, remove plants before they seed (being an annual it is quite easy to manage this plant).
*Viper's Bugloss Wildflower Seeds
BIENNIAL
echium vulgare
BEES LOVE THIS PLANT
Viper's bugloss is one of the plants to put in your garden or allotment to attract bees. It is best sown where you want it to grow as the roots are easily disturbed if moved. Sow either March-May (for some flowers that year) or August-September (for flowers next year). Sow thinly as seedlings can choke each other, 6mm deep. Fully grown plants should be about 38cm apart so thin as required. Keep well watered till established. Deadhead to prolong the flowering period. IMPORTANT: Use gloves when handling adult plants as there are tiny spines that can irritate the skin.
Flowers: June-September
Height: 90cm
Yarrow Wildflower Seeds
PERENNIAL
achillea millefolium
Yarrow is an easily grown and low maintanance plant. Cut back in autumn and divide every four years. Can be sown direct, but for best results begin indoors. Sow Feb-May or Aug-Sep. Sow the seeds on the surface (they need light to germinate) in trays or cells filled with seed compost. Propogate (or leave in a sunny place) till germination (5-10 days). Water at the base and keep moist. Harden off once fear of frosts have passed for 7-10 days before planting out.
Height: 8-40 cm.
* RECIPE: Simple Pickled Onions
1) You'll need enough vinegar to cover the onions that you are using, and Mrs. B suggests using two teaspoons each of allspice and of black peppercorns to about every litre of vinegar.
2) Peel away the outer skin of the onions, and then remove a couple of the inner layers till you have white, clear looking onions.
3) Place the onions in steralised jars, add the spices in equal proportion, and the cover with cold vinegar.
4) Cover and lid the jars and store in a cool, dry place for at least two weeks. YOUR PICKLED ONIONS WILL LAST 6-8 MONTHS.
Click on the 'pickling' label below to find tips and even more pickles.
RECIPE: Butternut Squash and Fresh Stuffed Pasta
INGREDIENTS, for two to three people:
250g butternut squash flesh, cubed app. 1 inch
1 pack 300g fresh stuffed pasta, use a mainly cheese based one, like five cheese tortiloni
2 tbsp oil
1 garlic clove, crushed
1 small onion, chopped finely
2 cascabel or Sichuan chillies, soaked and soft flesh scraped out and collected
Rind from ½ lemon plus 1 tsp juice
35g Applewood smoked cheese, grated (or other (preferably smoked) cheese)
Salt & pepper to taste
15g butter
35g breadcrumbs
1 tbsp fresh sage, chopped
METHOD
Steam the squash for 10-15 minutes. – Top up the steaming water to boil the pasta to the pack instructions. – Mash the squash to a smooth paste. – Place the oil in a large frying pan or wok and heat, then add the garlic and onion and cook for 5 minutes till the onion is golden. – Add the chilli, lemon and squash, then the cheese and stir well. – Add the cooked and drained pasta and season. – In a separate frying pan melt the butter over a medium heat, then add the breadcrumbs and sage and fry till crispy. – Serve the pasta & squash and sprinkle the breadcrumbs over the top, also serve with hot buttered pitta bread.
250g butternut squash flesh, cubed app. 1 inch
1 pack 300g fresh stuffed pasta, use a mainly cheese based one, like five cheese tortiloni
2 tbsp oil
1 garlic clove, crushed
1 small onion, chopped finely
2 cascabel or Sichuan chillies, soaked and soft flesh scraped out and collected
Rind from ½ lemon plus 1 tsp juice
35g Applewood smoked cheese, grated (or other (preferably smoked) cheese)
Salt & pepper to taste
15g butter
35g breadcrumbs
1 tbsp fresh sage, chopped
METHOD
Steam the squash for 10-15 minutes. – Top up the steaming water to boil the pasta to the pack instructions. – Mash the squash to a smooth paste. – Place the oil in a large frying pan or wok and heat, then add the garlic and onion and cook for 5 minutes till the onion is golden. – Add the chilli, lemon and squash, then the cheese and stir well. – Add the cooked and drained pasta and season. – In a separate frying pan melt the butter over a medium heat, then add the breadcrumbs and sage and fry till crispy. – Serve the pasta & squash and sprinkle the breadcrumbs over the top, also serve with hot buttered pitta bread.
Plants Bees and Other Pollinating Insects Like
You can find out more at the Bumble Bee Conservation Trust.
It is a good idea to plant flowers that will give the bees and other insects food all season long. Flowering herbs and wildflowers that will give the bees food from March to April are bluebell, bugle and rosemary, as well as blossoming trees such as apple, cherry and pear.
Plants bees love are;
Angelica
Betony
Borage
Bugle
Campion, White
Catmint
Chicory
Chives
Clover
Comfrey
Common Poppy
Cornflower
Dill
Evening Primrose
Fennel
Feverfew
Foxglove
Goldenrod
Heartsease
Horehound, White
Hyssop
Lavender
Lemon Balm
Marjoram
Motherwort
Mullein, Greater
Pot Marigold
Rosemary
Sage
Savory, Summer & Winter
Soapwort
Sunflower
Tansy
Teasel
Thistle
Thyme
Valerian
Viper's Bugloss
Wild Carrot
Wild Clary
Wild Marjoram
Woad
Yarrow
Yellow Rattle
'Grow Your Own' Brussel Sprouts**
These seeds have quite a wide growing season and produce tasty medium sized buttons that can be harvested from late October to January, so great for Christmas picking. The best flavour is achieved after the first frosts.
99p per pack (app. 125 seeds)
Minimum order £5.
GROWING INSTRUCTIONS
Preparation.
These plants need fertile, well drained and firm soil. Sowing.
Sowing.
Sow outdoors March to May thinly 1cm deep in rows 15cm apart in a seed bed or large trays. Thin plants to about 7cm apart and then plant to final position 75cm apart. Mulch and keep well weeded to help firm buttons to form.
Growing and Harvesting.
Water well in dry weather and mulch plants in the summer. You can also feed in the summer if desired. The buttons will be ready to harvest approximately 30-32 weeks from sowing.
Propagating Seeds
31 January. 2012.
It isn't necessary to have a greenhouse (I don't have one) to get your seeds started, though the space is useful if you are sowing alot of seeds. I have a clear roofed extension (it is far from a conservatory...more of a fancy out-house), which means that I can grow tomatoes and cucumbers indoors. It is easy though, to sow your seeds on sunny windowledges...I set up a table behind my sunniest windowledge so that I can sow quite a few seeds.
Wilkinson's sells really cheap windowledge propagators (about £3.20 each) which come with five inserts for propagating most seeds, but I like to sow herb seeds in larger pots (first picture), as you sow quite a few seeds together. I've sown some basil and some chives to keep indoors.
To propagate, you place the clear lid on the base which creates a mini greenhouse, and place this in a sunny warm spot. The sun catches my kitchen windowledge really nicely. You can easily lift the lid to keep your seeds moist (but not soaking).
Once the seedlings begin to appear you remove the clear propagator lid, but still keep them on the sunny windowledge.
You can also cover the pot with cling film, which also creates a little greenhouse, but being disposable, cling film is not such an environmentally concious method.
The cling film is removed once the seedlings appear.
18 February. 2012.
The seeds begin to sprout so I remove the lid or plastic cover and keep moist.
Once the seedlings begin to appear you remove the clear propagator lid, but still keep them on the sunny windowledge.
The cling film is removed once the seedlings appear.
18 February. 2012.
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