Seed Watch

The last few days I’ve become totally obsessed with my seedlings, and I thought it was time to share it! A week ago I planted a sprinkle each of some second-hand herb seeds, 4 each of squash and marrow, and 6 each of globe artichoke and sweetcorn. Small amounts maybe, but it is a small garden. I was hopeful that with brighter weather predicted after the rain it was the right time, and I’d be seeing them in the 7-10 days most of the packets seemed to predict.

I got worried as the weather turned colder. Would any sprout? Then after only 5 days I spotted the first seedlings. Tiny teeny thyme plants, three of them, and so small I had to stare closely to be sure. Next was one solitary tarragon seedling, also small, though not so teeny as the thyme. The next to arrive, early on day 6 was something of a shock. A great spear thrusting up, announcing the arrival of the first sweetcorn seedling.

Today (well, yesterday now if you want to be picky, since midnight has passed) was a day of little new. The thyme seedlings multiplied, reaching 15+. Tarragon climbed to 3. Still only 1 sweetcorn though and nothing new. I was especially worried by now about the globe artichokes, since mould had developed on their pots, surely not a good sign. And 1 sweetcorn? I think they are not self pollinating, so I need at least 2!

Scores on the pots this evening:

Thyme: 15+
Tarragon: 3
Basil: 0
Mint: 0
Dill: 0
Parsley: 0
Chives: 0
Sweetcorn: 1
Squash: 0
Marrow: 0
Globe Artichoke: 1.5

Yep, no need to worry about the mould it seems! One big strong seedling thrusting up, and another pot’s soil cracking in a way that surely indicates a plant pushing upwards (hence the 0.5!)

Stop Press: just checked and there’s two dill seedlings now… More tiny seedlings, long and leggy with their heads still buried in the soil and long stems bent double. Time for bed! Wonder what will be there in the morning?