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| Keeping the jiffy pots moist with a plastic spray bottle. |
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| New life sprouts in a jiffy! |
I tried propagating seeds many years ago without success. I even bought one of those heat controlled kits. I just never had any luck - maybe it was lack of patience or the wrong equipment. Like most domestic activities since I've had children I now go for maximum impact and minimum investment as I don't really have much time. I have boosted my production by buying pots of herbs and salad vegetables - I'm no purist and it's great to have instant greens that aren't throwaway - kind of like edible potted colour. Why not? Nature's fast food. But...I can see the value in raising your own seeds from a heritage seed saving perspective and being able to stagger crops.
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Snow peas just starting to sprout
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The Digger's Club recommends the jiffy pots. I have finally worked out a winning combination - jiffy pots kept moist with a spray bottle. Imogen, with my help, has sprouted these seedlings and specifically requested red onion. I'm impressed as I had given up on ever propagating seeds until my friend Kate (owner of majestic Duck the rat catcher) gave us a whole stash of leftover seeds. Success! It's given me a confidence boost and it's great to know there's an easy way to do it.
We're also trying another form of propagation - the good old sprout. Positive food for kids by Dr Jenny O'Dea has some great ideas to get kids gardening and interested in the growing process as part of a healthy approach to nutrition. Imogen and Astrid have started changing the water every day on their sprouts. We put them overnight in a cupboard for the first night as instructed then put them in the light in our dining room during the day where they remain. You're supposed to use an old stocking over the glass jar but I used some muslin tied with fabric. I look forward to posting the mature sprouts. An oldie...but a goodie. We forget these tried and tested things so I'm aiming to bring a few things back for you. Sometimes they can have a new twist too.
We're also trying another form of propagation - the good old sprout. Positive food for kids by Dr Jenny O'Dea has some great ideas to get kids gardening and interested in the growing process as part of a healthy approach to nutrition. Imogen and Astrid have started changing the water every day on their sprouts. We put them overnight in a cupboard for the first night as instructed then put them in the light in our dining room during the day where they remain. You're supposed to use an old stocking over the glass jar but I used some muslin tied with fabric. I look forward to posting the mature sprouts. An oldie...but a goodie. We forget these tried and tested things so I'm aiming to bring a few things back for you. Sometimes they can have a new twist too.
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