Spending time cultivating plants is relaxing and satisfying. It’s also really easy (ish!).
We have been growing our own vegetables from seed for the last four years and in the current climate, it has become a more important part of our routine than ever before. You don’t even need a garden as lots of veggies can be successfully grown in a pot or window box in a small back yard or on a balcony.
Growing plants from seed is a brilliant way to entertain children and it teaches them a bit of science along the way. It’s cheap, you can order everything you need online and you get delicious produce at the end!
This week Annie and I have filled growing trays with compost, made a hole for the seeds and planted the seeds and then covered them up. Annie wrote a plant label for each type of seed and then we gently watered them. A sunny window sill is the best place to germinate seeds and watch them sprout. Annie has planted peas, broad beans, mangetout, lettuce, spring onion, artichoke, cucumber and tomatoes. We are lucky to have a greenhouse but most of these seeds can be grown outside in a sunny place.
When the young plants are large enough we can gradually transfer them outside to plant in big pots or in the ground. At our house, we have to guard against rabbits so we have some wire fencing to protect the precious little plants. Annie says ‘It’s really really fun and I would recommend it!’
There is lots of information and further advice on growing vegetables from seed on the internet if you need any extra help.
By Hannah and Annie
