Seed Watch IV

I’ve decided to drop this to every other day for now, as there’s less happening. It’s not over though…

Day 11

Thyme: 60+
Tarragon: 30+
Basil: 24
Mint: 0
Dill: 50+
Parsley: 3
Chives: 8
Sweet corn: 2
Squash: 0
Marrow: 0
Globe Artichoke: 3

So, it’s mainly a picture of increase in numbers, with the only new entry being the parsley. Glad to see more chives. My single seedling was on it’s own for what seemed like an age. Glad I’ve got the makings of a clump, though they are tiny teeny spikes as of yet.

I’m guessing the temperatures in my kitchen have been too low for the squash and marrow (the packets do confirm they needed higher temperatures to germinate than some of the others: 20-25 C rather than the 15-20 C range I guess my kitchen has been at! Mint germination time is described as ‘erratic’. I looked at a packet of catmint the other day that said that could take up to 30 days. Since mint is of the same family I guess I could be in for a long wait!

It’s fascinating to see the different forms. From the biggest: chunky-leafed artichokes and the thrusting spires of the sweetcorn, down to the tiny round-leafed thyme, and spiky chives – so similar in form to the sweetcorn, but so tiny and delicate. The thyme, which started so tiny, is growing faster than the tarragon and dwarfing it now. Meanwhile dill is very much doing its own thing. I thought at first they only had one leaf: starting off bent over with heads in the soil, by the time they straighten they are already tall compared to their neighbouring herbs, each slender stalk toped by a jaunty slash of leaf, out to one side like the top of a musical note. It was a while before they were revealed as actually being two leaves, only reluctantly parted. The dill have turned into a forest now, still slim and criss-crossing, baffling the eye when I try to count them.

I’m waiting for warmer weather to plant the second wave... maybe I’ll actually post about something else tomorrow!