GARDENING HINTS Feb/March 2025
If you have kept seed from last year’s half opened packets, provided you have kept them in dry cold conditions, they should be viable. But I also have seed from packets of unknown age and also some seed doesn’t germinate if it is not fresh.
Instead of going to all the trouble of sowing it with compost etc. and then dealing with the disappointment of poor or no germination why not try this trick.
I’m doing it with sweet peas at this very minute. I soaked the hard sweet pea seed for 24 hours (not necessary for other seeds) and laid them on damp kitchen roll in little lidded containers (the kind one gets hummus in or similar), and put them somewhere warm – in my case the airing cupboard.
Make a mental note not to forget them. After a few days have a look and see what is happening. I’ve just looked at mine and there is about 50% germination. Now I shall plant those that are growing in the normal way in long root trainers, and not bother with the ones that are not showing any signs of life.
While I am in the potting shed, which will require great will power to get to because it is so cold, wet and miserable as I write this, I shall also pot up a dahlia tuber. It is one called David Howard and is an old favourite. I’ve read that if you pot them up early and start them into growth then you will have material for cuttings in the spring and should have a flowering plant/s by the end of the season. Plants for free!
As I get older, I have to admit that I am getting more eccentric. A fortnight ago I noticed a very good collection of mole hills in the grass patch at the corner of Bryworth Lane just past Hillier’s. A few hours later you would have seen us with shovels and a large black container collecting this excellent fine loam. We did get some waves and smiles. And why are you doing this you might ask? To make my lovely homemade compost is my reply. Our very own rich sieved leaf mould, some garden compost and some fine loam thanks to Mr Mole and a bit of fine grit or sand, and maybe a pinch of Blood, Fish and Bone. How satisfying. In my mind’s eye this potting on concoction is going to produce the most wonderful healthy plants. Watch this space for the results!