It’s time to spring into action! And though we are experiencing lockdowns this September, with Kings Plant Barn’s help, you can still get your garden ready for spring and summer veg.
Choosing your seed
If able, always use bought seed or viable, clean heirloom seed from a reputable source. While it’s fun for the kids to grow seeds from supermarket veggies, they are most likely from hybrid plants, meaning that the seed won’t produce veggies as good as the one you harvested the seeds from.
Starting early
Start germinating summer veggie seeds early inside while it’s still a bit cool outside. Plant tomato, zucchini, chilli, capsicum and basil seed in seedling trays filled with seed raising mix. Sow as directed on the packet, put them in a warm, dark place such as a hot water cupboard and gently mist the soil daily, making sure it doesn’t dry out. Once the seeds start sprouting, move the tray to a north-facing window and let your plants grow until they get big enough to plant outside in large pots or in the garden.
Direct sow
Some seeds need to be sown directly into the garden instead of being transplanted from seedling traps. These include carrots, parsnips, beetroot and swedes. Sow these once the weather warms.
Good foundations
Preparation now makes veggie-growing easier, later. If you have a garden bed, replenish the soil with compost and sheep pellets. Use organic veggie mix for top-ups or if starting from scratch. Clear weeds and water seedlings in the mornings around the bases, not directly onto the foliage.
