Hardening Off and Growing On
The renewal of life in Spring has the unique ability to reinvigorate a gardener’s enthusiasm for all things green. Remembering forgotten plant names, the smell of sun warmed soil, new shoots and the spritely song of nesting birds brings back that chest-filling excitement the new season brings. I always get ahead of myself, trying to sow too early or prep beds in heavy rain and I must annually remind myself that my eagerness will be better placed in a couple of weeks. There is still a risk of frost in April, so watch the weather and cover tender plants that are already planted out.
Having space for propagation is crucial to a happy, healthy garden. Giving your plants the best start possible will ensure that when it comes to planting out, your seedling will be more likely to tolerate what outdoor life has to throw at it. Having a greenhouse space will also give protection from pests, who are always the hungriest at this time of year.
Light, warmth and protection from the elements are the three core requirements for newly emerging seedlings; it’s vital to remember these factors when raising your plants. A polytunnel or greenhouse is ideal, as they offer good protection from wind, 360-degree light and the warmth needed for germination. Polytunnels are a more accessible choice, as they are much cheaper than glasshouses (to buy, build, maintain and repair), although not as beautiful, and are the top choice for most keen gardeners. There are a few drawbacks to polytunnels however, as they should be re-skinned every five years because the plastic becomes brittle over time. When purchasing a tunnel, make sure the plastic has some form of UV-protection and a guarantee. Whichever you choose, keeping the plastic or glass clean on your tunnel or greenhouse is important - you want to maximise light levels as much as possible. If space does not permit, a conservatory or bright porch works well too. Propagating on a windowsill can be beneficial early in the season, as you have much higher ambient temperatures than out in the greenhouse. Keep a window cracked to allow airflow preventing problems. As the season progresses, it is wise to develop a routine of watering early in the morning or in the evening, as the sun and warmer weather can scorch the leaves of tender plants if watered in the heat of the day. And as always, water-in newly planted seedlings very well to settle them in position.
As the month accelerates towards summer, the garden erupts into life. Despite being a busy and comparatively stressful month for the gardener, this is far outweighed by the excitement of blossoms, bees and bountiful spring crops headed our way.
Keeping your young plants in good condition is vitally important for success going forward. Plants in cell trays or pots can dry out very quickly as the weather warms up in April, so be consistent with your watering. I would suggest having capillary matting on your potting bench; this retains some water and really helps with keeping the bottoms of your trays from drying out. If you feel like your seedlings are outgrowing their pots, transplant them into bigger containers before planting into their final positions – this will prevent them becoming pot-bound, which would ultimately stunt performance. When your plants are ready to plant out (usually when you can see a few roots poking out from the bottom of the pot or tray) they should be fully turgid - this means they have the maximum amount of water in their cells, which will give them the best start possible. It is also important to harden off, which will acclimatise to get your plants used to outdoor temperatures and will prevent them from being set back. Taking your plants outside in the day and then bringing them in at night for a week or so should do the trick. Using a cold frame, if at all possible, allows you to open and close the lid depending on the air temperature. Learning to propagate your own plants is one of the most joyful parts of gardening. It allows you to be experimental with variety, as well as giving you the self satisfaction that what you’re eating was started from scratch, by you. The true way to grow your own food.
This post originally appeared as an article in the April 2019 edition of the Bridport Times , which can be read in its entirety online at www.bridporttimes.co.uk.