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Why now is the perfect time to buy seed trays!
Its only February, but already there are signs of new growth across the country. Daffodils are blooming, tiny buds are appearing on trees, and the garden is finally starting to wake up. This tells us that spring is just around the corner, and gardeners across the UK are starting to plan accordingly.
Most seeds and seedlings should not be planted outdoors until the risk of frost has subsided and the ground has warmed up to around 18C. By February, these conditions are still a little way off, which makes this month the perfect time to start sowing your seeds in a seed tray.
How to use seed trays
To use your seed tray, you will need some potting soil, a dibbler, some plant labels and – of course – some seeds. Fill the tray to around the ¾ mark with soil, or use equally spaced out compost discs, then use your dibbler to poke holes in each compartment for your seeds. Plant one seed per compartment, and label them as you go (all shoots look identical in the early days so you risk forgetting which one is which!). Then store the seed tray in a warm, bright place, give the soil an occasional spray of water to keep the soil damp, and wait.
It usually takes a few weeks for this process to take place. Most seeds will germinate within one or two weeks if they are planted in the right conditions. Some seeds, for instance chilli and tomato, can take up to 3 weeks to show signs of germination. This part of the growing process requires patience, as you may be looking at a pretty sparse seed tray for a few weeks before a sudden burst of green shoots appear.
Once germinated, the seeds need time to grow into strong and healthy seedlings. Depending on the plant, this can take another 3-4 weeks.
When leaves start to appear and the stalk thickens, it is time to move your seedlings into a bigger home. By this point, Spring should have well and truly arrived, and you can safely move your baby plants outside, where they will flourish if planted directly into the ground or in an appropriately sized pot.
At Tony Almond, we have a huge range of seed trays and sowing equipment to help you get started. Pop into our Liverpool store for even more garden ideas and advice.