We like many others are at home looking for ways to become a bit more self- sufficient and also to keep the kids entertained. So growing our own vegetables and planting seeds seemed a very good idea as they will be something to look after and maintain for several months.
Did you know that from the food you may have in your home already, you can easily grow several things to enjoy later? We will be planting these this week – wearing our Jileon Rainboots of course! - so do let us know if you are going to be doing the same and share any other tips you may have for the new green growers amongst us.
Tomatoes
Simply bite into your juicy little tomato, scoop out a few seeds and push them into the pot (make sure it has a drainage hole) with your finger a few inches apart from each other until they're covered with soil. Keep the soil moist and wait for the seeds to sprout. Then gradually as they get larger move them to individual pots.
Chillis
Drying pepper seeds before planting them is optional. Chilli peppers can be started off from seed sown indoors from late winter until the middle of spring. Fill a 10cm (4in) pot with good quality seed compost, flatten it down to leave a level surface, then sow a few seeds on top. Most seeds will germinate, so only sow a few more than you need in case of losses. Keep the soil moist and wait for the seeds to sprout. Then gradually as they get larger move them to individual pots.
Cucumbers
Cut cucumbers in half lengthwise to extract the seeds. Scoop out seeds and any surrounding pulp from the seed cavity. Place this mixture of seeds and pulp into a small bucket or jar with some water. The mixture needs to undergo fermentation for 1-3 days to remove the pulp from the seeds. Once this phase is complete, sow the seed and wait for them to sprout. Gradually as they get larger move them to individual pots.
Potatoes
Pop a couple of potatoes in a dark place and wait for it to grow ¼ inch or ½ sprouts – then grab a large bucket or bin ( make sure plenty of drainage holes) Pour about 4 inches of good-quality potting soil or compost into each bucket, and place two small seed potatoes, evenly spaced, on top of the soil. Then cover the potatoes and as the green sprouts start to show keep sprinkling soil over the top until over a few weeks you reach the top and then keep watering and you should have a harvest within approx 3 days.
Let's all see how we get on. There is lots of information online for further ideas and instructions on growing the above and don’t forget there are also lots of tips on the RHS website on vegetable growing here
Happy Veg Growing!
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