A start on spring

When I saw the tulips, I got inspired and decided to start sowing seeds.  Pete's mum has already started planting hers so I thought I should get started on it as well.  I have bought quite a number of seed packets, including new plants that we didn't plant last year.  After reading about some of the seeds, I discovered it's better to start indoors first so that the plants would get a head start and would be ready for harvest earlier.

The seed packets that we bought had instructions on the back.  Pete helped me translate them and so with that information plus whatever I have read about online, I got started.  The weekend before that, I already prepared my seed pots.  Instead of buying them, I read online that I could make my own seed pots using the inners of toilet rolls.  I have collected quite a few of those.  I also kept some from the kitchen rolls too. 

I cut the toilet rolls in half and quarters for the kitchen rolls.  Then I made four snips on the bottom of one end and folded them in to make a cute cup with a small hole in the middle.  The cups would hold the soil and the hole would help to drain excess water.  So simple and so cheap.  No extra cost, actually.  The best part is that when I want to transplant the seedlings, I can just plant the whole thing into the soil.  I won't have to take out the seedlings out of the pot and risk disturbing the delicate roots.  Also, the cardboard rolls would disintegrate into the soil.  Very environmental friendly.  And free.  Similar ones made of peat cost quite a lot in the stores.  These are free.

So, when I was ready to sow the seeds, I poured some soil into a bucket and added water.  The moist soil made it so much easier for me to spoon into the small pots.  Then I carefully placed a seed into each pot and labelled them.  This first time, I sowed some cabbage, savoy cabbage, broccoli and cucumber seeds.  The seeds, except for the cucumber seeds, are so tiny.  I had to use tweezers to put them into the pots.  Then I added a bit more water and left them on a tray in the balcony.

The next day was dull and sun-less.  The balcony wasn't getting any sun and it was cold there.  I moved the pots into the warm kitchen and switched on the kitchen light.  I placed them directly under the light and there they stayed for the next few grey days.  I only had to check the soil and water them whenever the soil seem day.  If they turn out well, I will be sowing more seeds using the free pots.  I have read that some people have a problem with them.  White mouldy stuff could form on the soil or the side of the pots.  I would have to be vigilant and look out for those.  Let's hope for the best.