A 'false' winter

Or a vertical planted wall.

 

Or maybe lots of places where you can have a rest and a sit down to enjoy your new garden.....and some nice borders too!

 

Thanks for your ideas all. With respect for your suggestions, no raised beds and no vertical walls, it is easier for me to carry on gardening as normal. The only restrictions I have is lifting anything heavy and that's not because I can't, it's because I'm told not too. Also to restrict my time 'labouring' in the garden but my body tells me when it's had enough anyway.

Fern......me sitting in the garden doesn't compute, boredom sets in after five minutes!

 

Okay folks, back to my false winter!

@Kristen.......After the seeds have germinated in vermiculite and are potted up do you need to warm them up slowly or can they go into a heated situation please?

 

The ones that need "false winter" usually fall into one of two camps:

Half a dozen weeks (the time varies, but there is info. about "how many" for any given species) in the fridge - e.g. 0C - 4C - followed by a "normal germination temperature" for that species / variety. So that would be similar, after it has been in the fridge, to just sowing them in a pot. I have several zones around the house - the boiler room for 25-30C, my home office for 20C and a spare bedroom for 15C. I just have a Tupperware container in each location with my little bags in it. Once you "prick out" (basically the seed is only chitted, and has started to grow a root, so its not quite the same as normal pricking out as its a lot earlier than normal) the seed-leaves may then grow up to be quite tall / leggy - whereas when I prick out, normally, the seedlings are at 2nd leaf stage and I bury them up to their seed leaves. With Baggy method I "prick out" into small modules (1" square, say), and then pot-on to, say, 9cm when they are decent sized seedlings and at THAT time I bury up to the seed leaves (if the plant has a long stem).

Sorry, got a bit de-railed there!, the Second Camp is an initial period at higher temperature, say 20C for 4 weeks or so (simulating Autumn) followed by half a dozen weeks in the fridge (Winter ) and then its normal germination temperature thereafter.

Some have double-dormancy, so want two winters (how greedy is that?!) so if they don't germinate after X weeks then go back in the fridge for another 6 weeks for their second "winter"

In terms of "temperature after germination" I do have a few things that want relatively low temperatures after germination - some varieties of Eucalyptus and Silene laciniata etc. - but that is not the norm.

 

I know what you mean! I have no choice but to stop sometimes as my back starts complaining. It's so frustrating to have to stop when it's good to be busy and there's lots to do. My Dad has osteoarthritis and has swapped from growing lots of annuals from seed every year to concentrating on perennials and keeping them looking good . He still grows tomatoes and cucumbers in the greenhouse and runner beans outside. He can't sit still either. He says he just seizes up if he does!

 

Thanks Kristen, I had to read through that twice to make it sink in! One more question please......As the seeds are being germinated this way can they be started off at any time of year?

 

My other half has 'osteo' he will eventually have a hip replacement but that's not possible for me I have Ankylosing Spondyloarteritis and Psoriatic Arthritis.

I think a high percentage of gardeners suffer with back issues and it goes with the territory, but when arthritis sets in, wherever it is in the body it means we have to adapt our working methods and find different tools to work with. I stopped using trowels etc. years ago as bending/stooping is to much of a problem. My garden fork and spade are the tools used most, particularly my fork as I use that for weeding too. I've never owned a hoe and not felt the need for one.

Like your dad I'm gradually turning over to growing and planting perennials, I also grow toms and cucumbers (although I'm not growing cu's this year) in the greenhouse. I don't grow any veg outside because to much work/maintenance is needed on my sandy soil for the vegetables to grow well.

 

I seem to remember trying to offer you something in return for something you were trying to strike cuttings of. Your reaction to one of my offers was close to this..."" !!!!
Thankfully we are all different. I like some cottagey plants and loath some so called exotics. By biggest failing is my lack of co-ordination. I spend ages working out the best spot for something and then when it blooms it looks so out of place.

Back on topic..................

For me they want to be at a similar temperature and also similar humidity (which is often overlooked).

Yes, but you do need to consider overwintering the seedlings. No point starting something in August that will need winter warmth or artificial light if you don't have the facilities.

 

@Sheal, does it have to be vermiculite for this job or will perlite also be OK?

 

Which job is that? If Baggy Method then I think it has to be vermiculite. Vermiculite holds water within, so there is loads of air around it. Perlite holds water more "between" I think, so not so good as a substrate wihin bags where an air-mix is needed.

For lightening compost then I suspect either will do, but I use Perlite for that job.

 

Yes, for the baggy method. There was perlite in Wilko's this morning but they'd run out of vermiculite. Drat - I'll have to wait till my order comes in now.

Just a tip - Wilko's 10 litre bags are much cheaper than any on Ebay, if you need a large volume then Ebay might be best, otherwise no. Good thing I checked!

 

I pay about £15 for 100L of Perlite / Vermiculite. Smaller bags are dearer though.

Careful how much water you add. Vermiculite will hold a lot, but you want it damp enough for the seed to be able to absorb it, but not so damp it rots. If you have long-time-germination varieties maybe use a fungicide to wet it, rather than just water?

 

Sorry Longk! I have admitted to you in the past that I find some of your plants, how should I say, not to my liking, but there are quite a few I do like, and 'blue' always brings me back for a second look.

Second batch of those cuttings will be happening very shortly, fingers crossed!