Lots to do

Putting the finishing touches to the new fence.

My polytunnel still hasn’t arrived. It’s in transit apparently and presently sitting in a warehouse in Carrick Fergus.  

 I have plenty to be getting on with before it comes and one of these things is to put up a small fence to keep the dogs away from the newly sieved veggie patch and also away from the tunnel entrance. I’m working on a bit of a slope so the gate has a five inch gap at the bottom. This would put most canines off but our Springer spaniel manages to turn herself into a liquid and can get herself under the narrowest of gaps.  Last week she did a slide reminiscent of Indiana Jones underneath a fence to retrieve a ball. It was only about two inches wide and I am still not sure how she did it. Chips the dog isn’t sure either because try as she might there was no way she could get back through it.  For this reason I will be inventing a rather nifty flap that will drop into place when the gat is closed tight enough that not even a slug can get through. The fence has pointy bits on the tops which will hopefully discourage her from attempting to jump over it, I have sanded the tips and edges of the fence panels to smooth them off, and this is for our health and safety needs as well as the dogs.

Sprouting well

The seeds are sprouting well in the house.  The humidity is a bit high and my glasses tend to steam up quite regularly but it’s worth it.  Having seed trays the same width of the sills has really helped to keep things tidy and some of the plastic covers are now coming off so the sprouted seeds can get some more air around them.  So far the lettuce, nasturtiums, tomatoes, sweet peas, beans, basil and broccoli have all popped up.  Sometimes seeds for some reason don’t germinate very well when we get their environment a bit wrong. With a bit of help from High Mowing Seeds, let’s have a look why this happens.

Moisture:  A dormant seed only contains 10-15% of water and is essentially dehydrated. The seed has to absorb water in order to become active. It is absorbed by the seed coat. The embryo then begins to swell. The softened seed coat ruptures as the seed grows too big for its encasement and germination has started. The first seed leaves or cotyledons are now apparent. Photosynthesis does not begin until the true leaves are developed and at this point in development the seedling is still surviving on its own food reserves.

 Air:  In the dormant condition the seeds respiratory rate is very low and so oxygen is required in very small quantities. But for germination, oxygen is needed in large quantities. The seeds obtain oxygen that is dissolved in water and from the air contained in the soil. If soil conditions are too wet, an anaerobic condition persists, and seeds may not be able to germinate.

Temperature:  Germination can take place over a wide range of temperature and is specific to individual crop types, and can be specific to varieties. The optimum for most crops is between 65-75°F, but exceptions do apply. For example lettuce germinates best at 65°F and can be inhibited at temperatures over 68°F while peppers and aubergines prefer warmer temperatures around 80°F and will not germinate well at cooler temperatures.  If your soil is too cold or too hot, your seeds may not sprout.

Light:  Light has varied effects on germinating seeds of different plants. Some seeds need light for germination, while in some seeds germination is hindered by light. Most wild species of flowers and herbs prefer darkness for germination and should be planted deep in the soil while most modern vegetable crops prefer light or are not affected by it, and are planted shallowly to allow small amounts of light to filter through the soil.

How deep do I plant?

Seed size usually is a good indication of how deep to plant your seeds, which usually corresponds to how much light they need. The general rule of thumb is to plant your seed at least as deep as the seed is long. Certain seeds need light to germinate and shouldn’t even be covered with any soil. Check the back of the seed pack for specific information on how deep to plant your seeds.

Why didn’t my seeds germinate?

When seeds fail to emerge from their shell there are a few things to consider. Have all the seeds failed? If this is the case, more than likely it is an environmental condition. Seeding too deeply, planting in cold soil, too much or too little water, improper soil preparation, and birds or rodents are the most common causes for environmental conditions that prevent seeds from germinating outside.

I have to go. There’s a knock at the door, it could just be the delivery I have been waiting for!