Wealden Times | WT203 | January 2019 | Interiors supplement inside

Garden
Seeds of hope
Cosmos ‘Double Click
Rose Bonbon’
Seedpod of Nigella
‘African Bride’
Self-seeding annual opium
poppy ‘Lauren’s Grape’
Centaurea cyanus
annual cornflower
The days are short, damp and dark, but Jo Arnell doesn’t care –
she’s got her head deep in the seed catalogues
As soon as the last Christmas card is in the recycling, or even
before, I am flicking through the seed catalogues. Every year I
promise myself that I won’t buy so many, sow too many, won’t
go too mad. After all, I have a good stash of home-collected seeds
already - and not much time or space even for these. But I’m going to
have to admit to you, right here on the page (imagine I’m standing at
the back of a room somewhere) that I am totally addicted to seeds.
I just love the magically simple act of sowing a few tiny grains and
watching a plant (an actual plant!) burst from something minuscule and
inert looking. It is so exciting. It isn’t always as easy as this though, and
things can go wrong.
If you have ever tried to grow something from seed and failed, take
heart, because it probably wasn’t your fault. Seeds need to be triggered
into germination. Most of the time annual seeds just need a bit of
warmth and moisture (and sometimes light) to get going. Annual
plants have but a short time to do their stuff, so are in a bit of a hurry.
Perennials may take longer and some need to go through a period of
winter before they will even think about germinating.
What a seed needs
Warmth - Plants have evolved over millennia to recognise when spring
has arrived. Seeds are primed to germinate in the warmth, as this
means that conditions for growth and the chances that they will make
it to maturity, have improved. Some plants need more warmth than
others, depending on where they have originated in the wild. Notice
how a great rash of weeds pops up as soon as the weather outside starts
to improve and take your cue that the conditions for sowing directly
outside into the soil are just right.
Moisture - Again this is a spring thing and to do with plants being in
harmony with the seasons. Whether it’s a thaw in an alpine meadow, a
rainy season, some April showers, or a dribble from your watering can,
exposure to water will nudge plants into growth.
Light - This is not always needed; seeds normally germinate under
the ground and until they have grown a leaf containing chlorophyll,
they cannot photosynthesise. Instead, they respire and therefore need
oxygen more than light at the point of germination. Very quickly after
this though, they do need light; bright and indirect, in order that their
delicate new leaves don’t scorch. Seedlings quickly become etiolated and
leggy when it isn’t bright enough, so if you are growing them inside, a
warm and bright north facing windowsill should be perfect.
Soil - Because seeds need oxygen for germination, it is important that
the compost is free-draining with lots of tiny air pockets. Seeds bring
their own food with them (which is why we eat them), so ordinary
‘grown up’ compost may be too rich. Seed compost (available at most
garden centres) has been specially formulated to be finer, and grittier and
more suited to the needs of seeds and cuttings. As soon as the seedling
grows its first pair of true leaves, it needs to be potted into a richer mix.
Vernalisation (winter dormancy) - This is plants’ way of making
sure that tender seedlings don’t start growing at the wrong time.
143 wealdentimes.co.uk