The Big Push (of seeds)

Wool underneath, crushed eggshells on top, March 2024

I've had two weeks of mostly uninterrupted garden and allotment access, due to our Easter break from work and school.  The weather has not been nice, up until the last few days!  But that didn't really stop me from doing the Big Push for seeds.  In fact, I pushed so hard I ran out of trays and pots before I ran out of seeds.  

Luckily I can sow direct with most seeds in my kitchen garden at home (not possible at the allotment because of intense pest pressure).  I've got a specific list of which vegetables I will grow at home (mainly parsnips, kohl rabi, cabbages, zuc, with a few intermediate/late season things like lettuce and radish), and at the allotment (beets, beans/peas, squash, corn, cucumbers, tomatoes).  So far I have direct seeded all the parsnips (though there were fewer seeds than I thought), some kohl rabi, and some cabbage. 

Cauliflower fortress against marauding pigeons, March 2024

I'm also gradually transplanting the still-emerging broad beans, sown back in February in individual pots and paper tubes.  Only one paper tube has sprouted, and I'm beginning to lose hope for those other 35 or so.  But I'm still holding out for the 50ish little pots that may still pop up, as I've been finding one or two from each tray every other day or so.  The first ones to transplant at the allotment have continued growing with no evidence of transplant shock: they look green and healthy and a little taller every day.  As I mentioned previously, I put a little fluffy wad of sheep wool in the bottom third of each pot, put a bean on top, then covered it over with a layer of soil.  As they grow, the roots go into the wool so when I plant out they have a good firm grip on it;  they can keep growing in the wool as they find their way into the new soil--thus preventing transplant shock.

We're back at school and work now, but the sowing of seeds is not done--as mentioned I'm out of pots (until stuff grows big enough to transplant), and also it's still just a little early for the warm season things like squash and zucchini.  I'll get to them nearer the end of the month.  However, the clocks have gone forward so there's more light in the evening, and it's a little warmer (though maybe not drier);  I will hopefully be able to get them all sown in good time.