The best way to give your seedlings a good start is to plant the seeds into a cell tray with a high quality compost. Don't be tempted to plant directly into the beds because everything will be decimated immediately by slugs and you'll be so disheartened it could put you off gardening for life! Also make sure you buy a top quality potting compost. In my experience cheap brands tend to result in spindly week seedlings ... you get what you pay for in that department. If the trays aren't new then before you start planting give them the once over to check for lurking slugs, there'll be a few.
In the above photo are thin plastic trays that normally don't survive more than one season, so it's worth investing in the more sturdy type of tray. I buy a couple from the organic centre each year to build up my stockpile. My oldest of these trays is five years old now and still in perfect working order.
Don't put your trays directly on the soil because the slugs with easily find them there. Up on a table is best but if you run out of space like me put a couple of planks down, raised on bricks and off you go.
Good luck with this years planting, looks like you are off to a flying start.
Have fun. X Ferris
Posted by: Ferris Jay | April 03, 2010 at 10:51 AM
You are way ahead!! I'm hedging my bets this year as planting some into the bed and some into trays!
Posted by: Lorna Sixsmith | April 06, 2010 at 05:30 PM
OOh, you're quick off the mark That said we will all need to be fast this year. I think we might miss spring if we blink!!
Posted by: Gerard Brady | April 07, 2010 at 10:59 AM
Wish you all the best in your planting. may your plants flourish.. :)
Posted by: renaissance costume | April 12, 2010 at 05:45 PM
Good luck with all your endeavours. You've made a good start.
Posted by: Bridget | April 14, 2010 at 12:08 AM
Crikey - that's a LOT of seedlings! I agree about the slugs and baby snails: if you don't pick them off/drown them/otherwise slaughter them, then they feast on the tender new leaves and destroy your plants. I also agree about potting compost, but many people on our allotment site get caught out by strong sunshine which cooks their tender seedlings if they are exposed to it - picking a suitable location for seedlings is vital.
Posted by: Allotment Blogger | May 14, 2010 at 08:51 AM
Wow Nice garden!! Wow its so nice...I wish i have a garden like that!
Posted by: Nursing tank | May 24, 2010 at 04:57 AM
Looks like your getting your garden off to a cracking start, good luck with it and i hope you don't have to many bug troubles!!
Posted by: Jane The Organic Gardener | June 20, 2010 at 06:41 PM
Hope everything is going well and that your garden has really taken off, giving you far too much work to do but wonderful, wonderful things to eat and preserve. :-)
Posted by: Moonwaves | July 04, 2010 at 10:48 AM
Have really enjoyed discovering your blog and would love you to share one of your posts at my new Meme We Can Wednesday.
Posted by: Greenearth | July 22, 2010 at 12:19 AM
Just to let you know I can't get onto the forum. I've tried the link that came with the auto email and also via the goat but neither seem to work at the moment. Hope it's temporary.
Posted by: Jean | July 23, 2010 at 08:26 AM
I was wondering how things are with you as the blog hasn't been updated for a while. I pop in every few weeks in the hope of an update. Hopefully, all is well and you're harvesting the results of all that planting.
Posted by: Stonehead | August 07, 2010 at 11:18 PM
Hello!
I've been trying to get in touch with you, but I think the email I have isn't working...drop me a line to let me know how you are doing.
EF xxx
Posted by: elderfaery (EF) | August 22, 2010 at 01:10 PM
The instructions are spot on. I'd also like to add, if you're living in an urban area, you could probably try and make a rooftop garden. I've seen some people who have a vegetable garden on top of their roof. It's great fun, and it also helps regulate the temperature inside your house, so you don't have to use air conditioners that much.
Posted by: Richard Boles | May 06, 2011 at 08:48 AM
I have found compost to be much better than just soil or dirt! And you are so right when you say don'tput the trays directly on the soil. I had to learn the hard way.
Posted by: Building Materials | June 02, 2011 at 09:52 PM
Love your blog. I read it often. We are just getting started in our new (old) place on the other side of the pond. Once we get the house under control, gardens and goats are tops on our list (for Spring.) Our kids are very excited. Keep up the great work!
Posted by: Melissa Currier | August 20, 2011 at 10:11 PM
Seeing all of those seedling trays makes me dream of spring - I can't wait for the next growing season. I'm really enjoying your blog. Thanks!
Posted by: Compost Guy | November 03, 2011 at 01:07 PM
I'll bear all the tips you've mentioned here and I can't wait to plant my own garden.
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