Seeds

Last weeks rainy Sunday was spent organising all the seed varieties I have taking up half the space in our fridge, so I could see if anything might be missing. Some of the seeds are from the local agricultural co-op, but most I have bought from Vital Seeds, Chiltern Seeds, Sementes Vivas, and also some from Fothergill that my Mum gifted us. I have had amazing results already from the seeds I have sourced from Vital Seeds, a company that produce their own, but Brexit might get in the way of being able to source from them again😞.

Many of the seeds saved over the years on this farm coincidentally 'disappeared' in 2017, so we only currently have seeds saved from Peppers, Kale, Mustard, and Tamarillo. I intend to save seed from our favourites grown this year, from Tomatoes, Melons, Squash, Peppers, Kale, Lettuce, and Peas and Beans, and Cucumber, so that the next year I won't need to make such an investment in seeds. 

We haven't got around to putting the greenhouse up yet, so we are using cloches to germinate our seeds. This week, Peas, Pak Choi, and Kale will be transplanted, once the weather calms down. There's nothing worse than having a beautiful week of weather, thinking Spring has started so it will be fine to start seeds outdoors, only for a wind storm to snap all the young stems. I learnt that lesson last year, but I forgot this year how birds are quick to destroy seedlings - this time it was a whole packet of radish seeds.

Black Carnation, Pak Choi, Peas, Sweetcorn, Kale, and a rogue Tomato we decided to keep. 

Cloche, Mittens, and some trays that didn't fit in the cloche

The plants we are growing this year are:

Herbs
- Basil (Genovese & Mrs Burns Lemon)
- Chives
- Edible Bergenia (Pink)
- Sunflowers
- Coriander
- Parsley (Moss Curled)
- Thyme (English Winter & a Summer variety)
- Oregano
- Rosemary
- Lemon Balm

Tomatoes 
- Red Brandy Wine
- Moneymaker
- Tumbling Tom Red
- Black Cherry
- Costoluto Fiorentino
- Golden Sunrise
- San Marzano

Chillies & Peppers 
- De Cayenne
- Demon Red
- Sweet California Wonder
- (Our own saved seed)

Peas 
- Delikett
- Blauwschokker
- Douce Provence
- Schweizer Riesen

Beans 
- Saxa
- Faraday
- Mistik
- Borlotto Firetongue

Roots 
- Beetroot (Moneta & Boltardy)
- Radish (White Icicle, Cherry Belle, Sparkler, Saxa, Sora)

Squash & Melons 
- Marina di Chioggia
- Crown Prince
- Luffa
- Vegetable Spaghetti
- Pumpkin Rouge Vif D'Etampes
- Waltham Butternut
- Branco do Ribatejo Melon
- Courgette Cocozelle
- Cucumber Crystal Lemon
- Cucuamelon
- Watermelon
- Tsakoniki Eggplant

Greens 
- Mizuna
- Kale (Dwarf Green)
- Pak Choi
- Chard (Rhubarb, Rainbow, Green)
- Lettuce (Little Leprechaun)
- Lettuce (Salad Bowl)
- Red Mustard
- Golden Frill Mustard 

And also, a few onions, salad onions, and leeks on the go, plus potatoes, sweetcorn, and peanuts 👀
I want to grow four varieties of flowers, and at the moment I have a black-red carnation growing.

Compost looks a little on the low side for all this, but I am sure we will figure something out 💚