The first seeds I planted were carrot seeds. They all died.
I tried again with carnations 5 years later. Turns out the only trick to it was to keep the bedding soil moist, who da funk it?
Based off personal experience, I think growing your own plants from seed or cuttings is a interesting way to fill up boring spaces: such as spots which can't be mowed on a lawn, or cracks in the floor (outside!), or just bold patches in the garden bed. Seeing the seedlings pop up is something to look forward to.
Benefits of growing seeds:
-teaches children responsibility towards living things
-teaches adults responsibility towards living things
-cheaper than buying mature plants/ seedlings
-unpredictability to an extent
-profligacy… Some are bound to survive
-extras can be given to friends, trade seeds and cuttings for fun! (Then experience the nostalgia of trading lunch at play time from primary school.)
-Increasing garden *biodiversity: with new plants and their *pollinators.
*Biodiversity: This benefits you as plants which attract predators like wasps, will result in less caterpillar hunting for you
*Butterfly enthusiasts purposely grow excessive amounts of a certain plant to attract the little bastards creatures.
If you are new to raising from seed, or want your child to, fail- proof seeds include:
Pot Marigold (Calendula officinalis): Generally they are either yellow or orange but this species has plenty of interesting cultivars with a mix of both colours and shades. The petals of this plant are edible, it is generally used in salads. Position: full sun
Plant: Spring, Summer, Autumn
Height: 25cm
French Marigold (Tagetes patula): My grandma gave me this plant. It can be tall or bushy depending on whether you decide to pinch off the top shoots or not. ! Poisonous if ingested! Self seeds very easily (it’s a survivor). Useful as a decoy plot in the veggie patch.
Position: full sun/part shade
Plant: Spring, Summer, Autumn
Height: <60cm
Cosmos (Cosmos bippinatus): This plant self seeds fairly easily, the blooms are interesting to watch as they change from a deep purple to a fairy floss pink within a few days. Position: full sun
Plant: Spring, Summer, Autumn
Height: 110cm
Pumpkin: Practically grows itself, the compost I used had Pumpkin seeds in it and now they are everywhere. You should plant this at a large space.Position: full sun
Plant: Spring, Summer
Height: 40cm
Ranunculi: this technically isn't a seed, but its a very easy bulb to grow. The plant is rose-like minus the thorns. Colours include: pinks, red, orange, yellow, white and burgundy. It can grow up to a metre in height, but dwarf varieties are available If height is a problem.
Position: Full sun
Plant: Late summer- early Winter
Height: 40-60cm
Where can I get seeds?
-Bunning’s Warehouse, 3-4 brands
-Sam’s warehouse near Moorabbin airport, only has the DT. Brown brand (also has good pots and gardening tools specifically for children)
-Big W or K-mart (Chadstone’s Big W and K-mart don’t have gardening sections, I’ve checked already D=) 2-3 brands
-The Reject shop (also handy if you’ve gone all the way to Chadstone to discover the lack of seeds sold.) Only has the DT. Brown brand
Brands aren't too important, but the more brands there are, the higher amount of different cultivars and genus.
If you want seeds for a particular plant that you cannot find at the usual stores, you will probably find them at a nursery like Garden World, but be prepared to cough up a bit more……
Just water enough to keep the seed bedding moist and be patient, happy planting- off you go now.
I agree, using seed to fill empty spaces is a great way to add colour and/or seasonal interest to a garden. I have always most enjoyed gardens that are a little on the wild side or 'overgrown' and using seed is a great way to give a more bountiful and wild look. And seeds, if scattered a little daringly, often come up in unexpected places which often makes a garden more interesting. I often use poppies for just such a purpose. An added benefit might be attracting pollinators, which would be especially useful if you want to ensure more productivity amongst fruit trees or other flowering crops. There is a bee hive on our property that we have mainly for the purpose of collecting honey, so supplying the bees with more nectar(by growing Annual plants in particular from seed)is a great direct way to increase the honey yield. And having bees around could also benefit native Flora.
ReplyDeleteWhat fauna don't you have Lil?
ReplyDelete