Germination Ideas, Tips & Guides

Spring Salads The first batch of salads are now of pickable size – and some of the leaves actually make it as far as the house -although at the moment most are picked a leaf at a time to relish as I work in the garden. I also have a row of the ‘Wasabi’ rocket from Thompson & Morgan growing between the broad beans and it really does have a powerful wasabi-type kick to it.

Thriving Tomatoes Get the conditions right and nothing likes to grow quite as much as tomatoes – I started this year’s batch off in coir jiffies in a heated propagator and once they had germinated I moved them to my Grow Light Garden which I find invaluable at this time of year. The lid with the lights is positioned within a couple of inches of the foliage ensuring that they grow straight and sturdy.

I see many lovely gardens in the course of my work, but I have seldom been quite so delirious with excitement as I was in the Stuart-Smith garden. The Main Garden To the south of the

Nicotiana mutabilis is such a lovely plant that I go to considerable lengths to have it in the garden. Its flowers st

USDA Zones— 4 – 10

Living in a northern climate with long cold winters, I am always looking for dramatic indoor plants to liven up my home.With its elegant, arching fronds, the areca palm add

If you have the patience or inclination to grow some chilli plants then you should give serious thought to including the bulgarian carrot chilli. It’s relativley mild but has a little kick – particularly if eaten raw. There is such a range of heat across the spectrum of chillies within the challenge that you’ll be sure to find one that is palatable. In coming weeks the plan is to get a few people around to the house to try out a few of the chillies and to see how far up the scale it is possible to get. Watch this space. The other none starter was anaheim (the mildest chilli in the challenge)– again several sowings in the same compost as the others resulted in 0% germination.

Take a look at How to Grow Morning Glory in Pots and flaunt its beautiful blooms in tight spaces! You can also grow it in hanging baskets.

From practical solutions like cushioned kneeler pads to imaginative creations like plant hangers and colorful garden decor, get ready to unleash your creativity with these Cool Things to Do With Old Towels in the Garden.

The annual vine known as the Cup and Saucer vine is beloved by many gardeners. Their large, cup-shaped purple or white blossoms and their distinctive flaring corollas look very much like teacups. Many of us never really think about that, like. Like so many familiar garden flowers, the Cup and Saucer Vine or Cobaea scandens belong to a much bigger clan – it has many close relatives within the genus CObaea, all native to South and Central America. However, most if not all are still relatively unknown or even discovered. I decided to do a deep dive on the genus cobaea (or at least as deep as I could grow a few of the more hard-to-find species). My real goal here is to solve many people’s problems when trying to grow Cup and Saucer Vines. If you’ve even had trouble with germinating or getting plants to flower, then maybe you’ll find some bits of information here useful.

I like to use the analogy of cooks vs. bakers when providing advice on annual artichoke culture. The fact is that artichoke culture isn’t exactly easy, at least in the north where few, if any of us have been able to grow artichokes as they can in California, but things have changed given new methods and new varieties. It’s going to take some time to catch on, but expect your local farmer’s markets and farm stands to start featuring artichokes as more and more local growers are discovering the potential given new methods.

If you are propagating plants from seeds, it is necessary that the seeds must germinate successfully. For improving the chances of germination, soaking seeds in hydrogen peroxide helps a lot. How? Let’s find out!

Growing carrots can be such a delightful experience but it could be challenging to identify their leaves. So, how do you find out if you are on the right track? Don’t worry! We have all the details to help you understand What Do Carrot Sprouts Look Like?

Apricots (Prunus armeniaca) are grown for their luscious, sweet, and fragrant fruits. You can grow them from cuttings, grafts, and pits as well. Read on the article to find out how to grow apricot from seeds.

Passiflora Colinvauxii brings a touch of nature to any area with ease. Its ability to vine on lightweight trellises, strings, or any other vertical structure makes it a versatile and attractive addition to any space.

The Nemesis genus contains over 50 species, and most of these plants are native to South Africa. These flowers are easy to grow and can be a wonderful addition to any home and garden. Let’s have a look at How to Grow Nemesia easily!

As well as making my own compost, I buy all kinds of different peat-free composts throughout the growing season for use with planting out in the garden or allotment. For indoor seed sowing I find some extra steps are needed to improve germination and plant health. My objective is to achieve a fine granular nutrient-rich compost, free of sizeable lumps which might block the path of a small seedling or its hungry roots.

Earlier in 2020 the first COVID lockdown triggered a massive spike in demand for vegetable seeds.  With little to do at home, those with the opportunity to grow their own food in gardens and allotments did so like never before. Initially garden centres were all closed, online suppliers struggled to cope with demand as they were overwhelmed with seed orders. Now, as 2021 approaches, with a third lockdown (Tier 4) in place for Christmas I find myself thinking of seed orders for the coming growing season. But what has become of prices? With a huge increase in demand, you would be forgiven for thinking that seed prices must have increased accordingly.

Whether you want to save money and to opt for a more economical option or you’re not satisfied with the quality of potting mix you bought from the store, it’s a great idea to learn how to make your own potting soil.

Want to grow new plants without a fuss? Check out these amazing DIY Seed Starting Hacks that will help you save a lot of time and money!

Whether you live in a cold climate and want to start growing plants early in the season or you grow them in a region where it rains a lot–Garden cloches are useful. They act as a mini-greenhouse for individual plants and also save them from early pest infestations and rodent problems. Now, if you’re thinking about buying them–Wait! Check out these homemade DIY garden cloche ideas below.

Watering is one of the most common gardening tasks, and also one of the easiest to mess up. At some point, pretty much anyone who dabbl

Looking to start seeds indoors, improve conditions for houseplants, or protect tender perennials during colder months?Constructing an indoor mini greenhouse is a

Growing corn is one of the most satisfying things you can do. Few things compare to the feeling of harvesting your own ears from a stalk taller than you, and then eating them that very same day.You won’t be able to wai

Mandragora, commonly known as mandrake root, belongs to the nightshade (Solanaceae) family.This enchanting herbaceous perenn

Bacillus amyloliquefaciens (BAA) is a type of bacterium that is found in soils throughout the world and also on dried foods and fresh produce.Many strains of these bacteria enhance plant growth and inhibit plant pathog

Easy to grow and care for overall, sporting stunning blooms, and complete with their own prickly characters, cactus plants are perfect house and garden additions, and they’re very popular these days.We link to vendors to help

I can’t imagine my spice cupboard being devoid of the sweet, floral spice of bay leaves.It’s one of those flavors I fi

Nothing completes a homemade soup or salad like a sprig of aromatic parsley fresh out of the garden. Low-maintenance once established, this often finicky herb does take a bit of patience to get started.Whether you live in a warm

Those of us in cold USDA Hardiness Zones 2 through 5 seem to have the gardening odds stacked against us.We must meticulously plan our gardens because ou

While powdery mildews don’t kill their hosts, they sure do a number on them. And that is particularly true for powdery mildew of apples and crabapples, caused by Podosphaera leucotricha.This pathogen attacks both cultivated and wild apples

Snapdragons (Antirrhinum majus) are the life of the garden party, bringing sweet fragrance, height, bold splashes of color, and unique bloom shapes.We link to vendors to help you

Also known as basket of gold, rock goldentuft, and yellow alyssum, Aurinia saxatilis is an enchanting perennial that will charm your garden with an explosion of color.The stunning yellow flowers will be on fu

They may not be actual weevils, but there is no question that these pests are sneaky. Hiding inside the pea seeds within the pods, they can ruin an otherwise beautiful, bountiful crop.We link to vendors to help you find relevant product

Young plants have a tender root system, and it’s easy to uproot them or scatter the sown seeds. Beginners and new gardeners often do this by their improper watering techniques. If you’re one of them, learn how to water seedlings and seeds properly in this article.

The next time you work in the cookroom, be careful about what you throw away as there are some Kitchen Scraps that can Become Future Houseplants! Read ahead to find out more!