The first tuinbonen (broad beans) are up en masse. In the greenhouse, the sugar snaps are also up. I am a happy camper.
Well done, Sojerd! Do you soak the seeds for a few hours in tepid water before planting? I have found I get quicker germination with peas, corn, beans, cucumbers, and squash seeds if I let them sit in tepid water overnight. Of course, I'm not starting them inside, but direct planting in the garden soil.
Jane— I have done, but not this time. Funny you ask that, because as soon as they were planted ans watered-in, I looked at her and said, “We could have soaked the boys last night”. I envy you that you can plant them outside directly. You see, I have a bit of a vole problem here. Gurrrrrrrr. Thanks Pac, BTW— all oké with you guys.
Right you are Mel— some folks use it like perlite, stirred through the basis medium. Good for drainage, right? I use a thin layer on top to hold the moisture bit longer so that the medium does not dry out right at the crucial moment of the germination. So then plainly put, I do not use it for drainage, rather to hold / prolong moisture. It is a bit like splitting hairs, but it is the way I do my germination each year. I do find that it helps for my purposes. Otherwise I wouldn’t do it, right. Cackle.
Thank you for exlaining that. And.....( deep sighhhhhh) ....look at the lovely green grass behind the happy seed starts. It is a good day, eh Sjoerd?
It was a good day alright. The grass on the lawn and dike is like that all winter. It keeps me in a good mood.
I forgot my peas outside and it was really cold in the night. They were just sending the roots out of the seed. I think they all froze. The ones that I planted directly in place are all coming up now.
Sjoerd i cover my snapdragon and wallflower seeds with vermiculite because it lets light in and it's lighter than compost for the seeds.
