I frequently potter in the greenhouse early in the morning whilst I wait hopefully for the sun to warm the allotment. I sow small amounts of seeds to try out different varieties either into modules of various sizes or into a small pot to be pricked out into pots later. This list includes:
- Tomato: Suttons “Fantasio” and “Sungold” and Kings “Stoner’s Exhibition”
- Pepper: Kings “New Ace”
- Chlili: pepper Kings “Habanero”
- Aubergine: Suttons “Black Beauty” and Kings “Long Purple” and “Moneymaker”
- Celeriac: Kings “Giant Prague”
- Cape gooseberry: Suttons
- New Zealand spinach: Kings
- Calabrese: Suttons “Ironman”
- Summer cabbage: Kings “Hispi”
- Cabbage: Suttons “Golden Acre”(Primo)
- Cauliflower: Kings “Candid Charm”
- Sprouting Broccoli: Suttons “Summer Purple”
- Lettuce: various including a few seeds each of “Little Gem”, “Quatro Stagioni”, “Tom Thumb”, “Trocadero”
- Lobelia: Kings “Crystal Palace”
- Tagetes: Kings “Lemon Gem”
- Petunia: Kings “Cascade Mixed”
- Rudbeckia: Kings “Maya”
- Verbena: Kings “Peaches and Cream”
In a small plastic window box I have sown seeds of Rocket and a mix of quick maturing “Salad Leaves” which are claimed to be ready to pick in three weeks. A little optimistic from last year’s experience, but rotating two window boxes gave a steady supply of salad leaves on the patio throughout the summer.
Last year I was able to give New Zealand spinach plants to a few plot holders and have sown additional seeds this year. I must, however to check how many have been requested.
Encouraged by the success of starting peas in pots in the greenhouse I have refilled the nine pots already planted out. As I am late sowing tender vegetables, I have also purchased some mini-plants in modules to be potted up shortly, including:
- Pepper: “Bell Boy”
- Pepper: “Redskin”
- Tomato: “Sungold”
For the patio pots and hanging baskets I have bought seedlings in modules of:
- Geranium: Red
- Verbena: “Sweet Delight”
- Petunia: Surfina “Pink Vein”
- Begonia
For delivery later I have ordered from Suttons:
- Grafted Aubergine: “Scorpio” which did exceptionally well last year. The grafted tomatoes and peppers also did very well, but did not seem to justify the high cost.
- African Marigold: “Vanilla”
- Chitted cucumber seeds “Bella”
