Spring has sprung!

Spring is a beautiful time of year where I live in the Southern Highlands of New South Wales! The blossoms and tulips are out, the days are warming up and the possibility of new growth is close at hand. However, for us Highlanders the chance of frost is still a possibility, so I like to get some seeds going in my greenhouse at this time of the year, then when the frost risk has passed and the days are consistently warm, they will be ready to sow directly into the patch. I’ve started with tomatoes, cucumbers, and chillies!

You can either buy good quality young seedlings from your local nursery, or plant from an equally good quality packet seed. If you can, choose Heirloom varieties. (Once you get your patch established, you can also save seeds from a successful harvest and replant.)

I like to use a mixture of both seeds and seedlings.

For seeds, plant seeds into medium sized pots or trays with some organic seed raising mix at the depth recommended on the packet. Depending on the weather, water daily, making sure the soil is moist (but don’t drown them in your effort to make them grow!) Once the seedlings have emerged, feed once a week with a liquid fertiliser like Seasol seaweed solution.

Purchased seedlings will come in their own seed container, I don’t bother replanting, just continue to water, and feed with Seasol until it’s time to plant.

If you don’t have a greenhouse, place the seed trays or pots in a sunroom or sunny spot in your home where they can get at least 4 hours of sunlight a day.

Variety is key to any good vege patch, so for tomatoes I’ve started some more traditional red varieties like the Grosse Lisse and Beefsteak as well as my favourite yellow variety, Honeybee, and I’ve also purchased gorgeous, sweet Yellow Petite Pear tomatoes as young seedlings.

For cucumbers I have quick pick varieties like the Patio Snacker and as I also love pickling cucumbers in the summertime when the crop is at its peak, I’ve planted Bush Gherkin seeds, and for the first time ever, Cornichons (seriously excited about these mini cucumbers!).

Chillies need very warm soil, (consistently above 20 degrees) to germinate so it’s always best to start these indoor and only transplant to the patch when the days are much warmer, or if you prefer you can continue to grow them indoors in pots which I found worked best for me last season.

I pruned the chilli plants at the end of the last harvest, and they are already starting to bud with new growth! I’ve had the most success with Jalapeños (these also worked well in an outside patch), Bishop’s Crown, a mild and pretty bell shaped chilli and some real kickers, Carolina Reaper, and Pink Tiger varieties.

Next time we’ll talk about preparing the patch for planting…