Focus on... Propagation
Prepare indoor sowing and growing spaces now, says Lucy
FEBRUARY signifies the start of sowing season for vegetable gardeners. Few veg appreciate being sown in January, even indoors (large exhibition onions and hotter chilli peppers are the exceptions). But with window space at a premium, it’s impractical to wait until March to sow everything, so let’s get started now!
Not all crops need sowing under cover; spinach, radish, spring onions, lettuce, beetroot and parsnips revel in outdoor sowings later in the season. However, expensive seeds (cucumbers, sweetcorn and melons) are best sown indoors, since germination is more successful in this protected environment, while basil, dill, brassicas, tomatoes and leeks all enjoy starting life under cover.
Before any seed packets are opened, you must create a suitable propagation area. The essentials are adequate light, warmth and moisture (see panel, right). Not all gardeners will be able to fork out on growlights, but you can still take advantage of a few tricks; lining the inner edge of your propagator with foil or utilising porches and corner windows will help no end. Heated propagators are excellent for providing warmth, as are heat mats (which roll up when not in use) and heat cables (ideal for larger areas).
Also, I religiously top up watering cans after use, leaving them to stand alongside seedlings for 24 hours before watering again, to ensure the contents are at room temperature. Little tricks like these will help nudge you towards successful germination under cover.