How to get growing - food and flowers

We live in absolutely bonkers times.

Two of my munchkins have lost their jobs as the pub and cafe they respectively work at have been forced to close. One has had their uni course moved to online. Another is driving me insane with non-stop ‘TickTocking’ as she is now home - indefinitely - from school. I’ve had to step down from a side hustle I had in hospitality, and I lie awake worrying about the lovely young owner and hope that all the good things he was working so hard to achieve for our community will be still achievable when this is all over. I’ve had to cancel two flower growing workshops. Restrictions and regulations surrounding my husband’s work seem to change daily, like shifting sand under our feet. Planning for the next day - let alone the next week - seems impossible.

But one thing that is absolutely certain - we all need to eat. I have had lots of messages from people wanting to get some tips about how to get growing, what to plant now, and the best way to go about it. I live in Maitland in the beautiful Hunter Valley, where it is still early autumn. For us, and many others in warm temperate parts of Australia, there is plenty of time to get lots of food in now that will see you eating from your own garden within weeks.

So how can you get growing?

SEED RAISE

I like to start almost all my seeds by seed raising. I do plant some things directly into the ground (see below) but most are seed raised. I do this in two main ways:

OPTION ONE - FLATS

For anything that can be pricked out later, I seed raise in recycled clear plastic ‘clam shells’ - the sort that strawberries, blueberries etc may be sold in. My mum collects hers for me (thanks Mum) and in my experience, most people are more than happy to keep these for you if you ask. The best ones are the ones that are shallow, like that shown here.

The benefits of raising seeds in flats are that you get lots of seed germination for very little space on the seed raising table - this is good when you need to get lots going fast. Also, because it is a close-able box, the humidity stays high which is good for seed germination. And finally, it uses less seed raising mix and avoids the cost of a paper pot - something you’ll want to avoid until you get the hang of seed raising. Paper pots are not expensive, but every small expense adds up.

Flats - fill the bottom part of the shell with seed raising mix. I use a mixture of compost, vermiculite, coconut coir and a sprinkle of ‘eco-fert’ granules. Seed raising mix from the nursery is fine. Straight mushroom compost that has been sifted is also good.

I sprinkle seeds sparsely over the soil, then cover with vermiculite. Unhelpfully, the picture here shows perlite - I was using up a bag I found in the shed. You can also just use sifted seed raising mix, but go easy - only barely cover the seeds. You should start with very damp seed raising mix, and then once planted, just mist (very fine hose nozzle, or a spray bottle) to damp down the top. Close the lid and put the flat somewhere sunny. And sunny means most of the day, not a window sill that only gets an hour or two. Water by letting the flats sit in a tray of shallow water for a few minutes each day, or as needed. Don’t over water or let them sit in water all day. They should be damp but not sopping wet.

Things you can eat to plant right now into flats include:

-lettuce
-endive
-shallots
-onions
-mizuna
-kale
-parsley
-cauliflower
-broccoli
-cabbage (but get your skates on with the last four)

Flowers to plant right now into flats includes:

-larkspur
-cornflower
-stocks
-rudbeckia

Once a majority of the seeds have sprouted, open the lid and continue to water regularly. They will need to be pricked out when their first set of ‘true leaves’ sprout (more about that later).

OPTION TWO - PAPER POTS

I use these for lots of things that can’t be direct sown into the garden and also don’t like being transplanted. Paper pots are fantastic for avoiding replanting shock, as they go straight into the garden, pot and all, with no root disturbance.

Fill each paper pot to about 3/4 full with seed raising mix (mixture as above). You will need to stand each pot in a reusable plastic seedling tray like this.

That tray, in turn, sits in another flat bottom tray with drainage, which just makes it easier to move it all around.

Plant only two seeds per pot. The more careful you are at this stage the easier it is down the track - avoid the temptation to fling the whole packet of seeds around and end up with a forest in each pot. Just cover the seed with vermiculite or sifted seed raising mix. Water with gentle nozzle, misting spray or stand them in a tray of water that comes almost to the top of the soil height. Then move to sunny spot. For the record, my sunny spot is seed raising table made from an old door supported on two saw-horses out the front of my house. It ain’t pretty, but it does the job.

Things you can eat that can be planted into pots right now include:
-everything in the above list, if you want to avoid replanting
-silverbeet (soak the seed for 24 hours before planting for best results)
-peas (unless you want to direct plant).

Flowers to plant into paper pots right now include:
-all of the above if your want to avoid transplanting
-nigella
-snapdragons
-lace flower

Baby broccoli - these guys germinated within a few days

Germination rate will be higher if you use a dome over your seedlings - this can be a purpose-purchased one, or anything that will let the light in and keep the soil moist. Pop them somewhere sunny and water gentle as needed. Once they germinate, the dome can be removed. Once they reach a good strong stage - a few sets of their true leaves - they can go out into the garden. (More about this later)

DIRECT SOWING

Many veggies don’t like to be transplanted and grow best when planted directly into the prepared garden bed. I prefer a no-dig bed, so I prepare my beds by building up directly over the grass with damp cardboard, then mushroom compost and then mulching. I’ll write about this another time. If you are keen to see a fantastic example of no-dig check out Charles Dowdings’ website for a heap (hahaha - a composting joke) of resources.

You may not have much space and want to plant into pots - great! - just make sure you keep the water up and ensure the pots have good drainage.

Whatever your garden bed looks like, when planting direct always give the soil a really good water BEFORE you plant. This means making sure the soil is damp well below the depth to which the seed will be planted. The best way to check is to stick you finger into the soil and check - even if the soil looks wet on the top, it may be bone dry underneath and you need damp soil to germinate seeds.

Right now, things like:
-carrots
-beetroot (soak the seed to 24 hours before to increase germination rates)
-parsnip
-radish

can be planted in a drill - a line that you make with your finger, making an impression a few mm deep. Sprinkle the seed along the bottom of the little trench/line ensuring seed is well spaced (mix the seed with sand or compost and then spread that out) and back fill the drill by running your finger back over the top of the line you made. I sometimes back fill with vermiculite so I can remember where I’ve planted things. Vermiculite has the added advantage of retaining water, keeping seeds moist and increasing the chances of germination.

Water regularly and gently. Don’t let the seeds dry out. If the weather is hot, water twice daily.

Other things like:
-peas and
-broad beans

should be planted into beds that have been prepared and have a thin layer of mulch. Push the mulch aside and push the seed into the soil to the depth of your finger. The bed should be very well watered before planting, and then not watered again (unless it is very hot) until the seedlings emerge. It is also helpful to give these larger seeds a soak overnight before planting.

Flower seeds that can go in right now directly into the garden are one of my favs - sweet peas.

A special mention should be made of garlic. It needs to go in now or it won’t have enough time to reach maturity. I like to plant my garlic at the same time as my sweet peas, and in the same bed. I have been told that it makes the sweet peas smell stronger - probably an old wives’ tale - but it is a good use of space.

EASY! If you have any questions, please send me a message. I’m more than happy to answer. I really hope to see everyone growing more of their own food, and (hopefully) feeling a little more resilient.

Look after yourselves and take care - love to you and yours.

Simone

xx