Get Seed Savvy
The Country Smallholder|February 2023
Kim Stoddart explains how to get the best out of your seed for the growing season ahead, including tips for germination and money saving...
Kim Stoddart
Get Seed Savvy

The process of sowing seed has always been an exciting and nurturing experience. With each little capsule planted comes the promise of longer daylight hours, warmth and delicious home grown produce in the growing season to come. Seed by seed, packet by packet we are sowing hope as much as anything else and we all need this more than ever right now. For many on a fixed budget, for the well-being gain of freshly picked produce, so much fresher and full of flavour than anything supermarket-bought,and for the love of growing.

Being able to switch off from things beyond our control and tune into the growing of fruit and vegetables and the joy to be found therein, really offers so much.

MAKE EVERY SEED YOU PLANT, MATTER

Common advice dictates that seedlings should be thinned out and only the stronger-looking specimens used for growing on, with the smaller plants rejected and disposed off. Yet you can attempt to grow on every single seedling. That's want I do and have done for many years because I have found that most will flourish into productive plants given the chance.

Actually, your stragglers may just be seed that was planted a little lower into the soil than the others and therefore took longer to burst into life. It doesn't mean that it's a weak or defunct seed, far from it. Sure, it might take a bit longer to get growing, but this could be your lower- maintenance version of succession sowing all in one.

Try and make best use of every single seed and seedling and you are reducing waste in the process. 

Germination tips for success

Although there are a multitude of different factors at play which contribute to the success of germination here are some all-round guidelines to help you on your way.

Think before you sow

هذه القصة مأخوذة من طبعة February 2023 من The Country Smallholder.

ابدأ النسخة التجريبية المجانية من Magzter GOLD لمدة 7 أيام للوصول إلى آلاف القصص المتميزة المنسقة وأكثر من 8500 مجلة وصحيفة.

هذه القصة مأخوذة من طبعة February 2023 من The Country Smallholder.

ابدأ النسخة التجريبية المجانية من Magzter GOLD لمدة 7 أيام للوصول إلى آلاف القصص المتميزة المنسقة وأكثر من 8500 مجلة وصحيفة.

المزيد من القصص من THE COUNTRY SMALLHOLDER مشاهدة الكل
Miniature Jersey Cattle-the only two in the UK?
The Country Smallholder

Miniature Jersey Cattle-the only two in the UK?

Sally Crozer hopes there will be more

time-read
3 mins  |
June 2024
You can help protect baby birds this breeding season
The Country Smallholder

You can help protect baby birds this breeding season

The RSBP says you can help all nesters but particularly watch out for ground nesting birds many of which are under threat

time-read
2 mins  |
June 2024
Smallholding profile: Pocket House Studio
The Country Smallholder

Smallholding profile: Pocket House Studio

Helen Babbs visits a thriving Hebridean croft and weaving studio

time-read
5 mins  |
June 2024
Grow Your Own refreshing brews
The Country Smallholder

Grow Your Own refreshing brews

Mel Thomas says there are so many possibilities from your own back garden

time-read
5 mins  |
June 2024
Making the most of fresh eggs and summer fruit
The Country Smallholder

Making the most of fresh eggs and summer fruit

Henrietta Balcon celebrates the season of abundance

time-read
2 mins  |
June 2024
How to deal with Pests the Natural Way
The Country Smallholder

How to deal with Pests the Natural Way

Lee Senior says create a healthy predator-prey balance in your garden

time-read
6 mins  |
June 2024
How to create a hen-friendly garden
The Country Smallholder

How to create a hen-friendly garden

The British Hen Welfare Trust share their top tips to strike a perfect balance.

time-read
5 mins  |
June 2024
Do chickens really experience empathy?
The Country Smallholder

Do chickens really experience empathy?

This month, Paul Donovan turns his attention to the psychological side of poultry behaviour, and investigates whether hens sense empathy – a trait indicative of mammals.

time-read
8 mins  |
June 2024
Care of the fleece begins at shearing time
The Country Smallholder

Care of the fleece begins at shearing time

Claire Boley gives a guide to sorting and storing a fleece so it’s in good condition for spinning

time-read
2 mins  |
June 2024
We're going on an alpaca walking experience
The Country Smallholder

We're going on an alpaca walking experience

Cathy Darcey & Stuart Woolley share their journey with alpacas – and other animals – to make a business out of something they love doing

time-read
6 mins  |
June 2024