Under Glass & Direct

By Lisa Smith | 9th February 2013

Indoor Sowing:

Fill seed tray or pot with compost, gently firm to eliminate air pockets, water and allow to drain before sowing.
Place or scatter (depending on seed size) seed thinly over surface.
Sieve layer of compost over seed. Do not cover exceptionally fine seed.
Water with fine rosed watering can or stand in water until compost darkens.
Label with crop and date of sowing.

Stretch line across intended row.
Take out a drill by using the corner of a hoe against the line, making a V-shaped drill (For very fine seed the end of a bamboo cane will provide a deep enough drill).
Water the bottom of the drill and allow to drain.
Sow seeds very thinly and regularly along it.
Gently cover the seeds with soil

Cloches:

Loose protection:

Mulches:

Supports:

Aftercare requirements:

Root crops: thinning out / keep soil weed free and moist / water dry spells / employ measures to minimise crop specific pests and disease.
Brassicas: cool weather crop than tends to bolt during hot dry spells / water transplants daily and mature plants once a week during dry spell / cover crop with fleece to prevent butterflies laying eggs / watch for slugs, snails, aphids and whitefly / hand pick off crop or employ necessary control.
Alliums: after dry spell / keep soil weed free / maintain good air circulation around plants / seedlings more susceptible to onion fly damage then sets.
Legumes: keep soil weed free / mulch / no need to water before flowering, unless plants are wilting / water generously when flowering starts to encourage pods to set / pinch out growing tips when top of supports.
Fruiting crops: water well during flowering and fruit development / Cordon tomatoes need tying and sideshoots removed / pinch out growing tip of aubergines and peppers for compact growth / apply liquid fertilizer when fruit set.

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