The temptation was just too much ..

Hi Everyone,

My granddaughter was kicking off (terrible two's in progress) because she wanted flowers NOW! So off we went to the garden centre. Mommy was pulling her hair out whilst Nanny was secretly pleased 'cause it's been a long horrid winter.

My granddaughter got an african violet (which she now talks to constantly) and Nanny got seed compost and vermiculite. Well, could you resist? I bet not!

So now I have two types of Aubrieta, Saxifraga, Festuca and Geraniums sown in propogators on a heat mat. I really didn't expect the tiny little seeds even though I have read about them and the first packet of aubrieta seeds ended up in a clump. I did a little better with the second packet of aubrieta and even better with the saxifraga but i reckon the only packet to the evenly spaced in the tray was the festuca. I nearly jumped for joy when I opened the geranium packet and saw seeds that were big enough to pick out individually.

I've bought myself a little notepad and will document the progress until I plant them out and will post on here later in the year.

This is my first spring sowing and I still have about thirty packets of seed to sow - where on earth I am going to put them heaven knows as I only have space for about 10 trays.

 

Could be the start of your daughter taking a lifelong interest in gardening.. The younger the start, the better!

Aubretia is lovely, they'll be a full swing generally, in a few weeks!

 

Hi Stephen,

Yes, she loves the garden - last summer we were hard pressed to keep her off my flowers and eating them - she had just started walking and babies test everything they come into contact with via their mouths. We have had no end of moans all winter long because its been too cold for her to go out and play. This summer she will be joined by her baby brother who is just about to start walking (13 months between them lol) so I guess that will be another one who attempts to eat all my flowers.

She is as bad as me and keeps lifting the lid on the propogators to see if anything has grown yet!

 

If she has a conscious interest, you could get her a little prop kit of her own, so she can feel like it's her toy Tomatoes or something (even if its only watching them grow).. I bet she'd enjoy that!

 

That's a brilliant idea Stephen ... dunno why I didn't think of it.

The question is do they do such a thing as a small propogator for a child or will I have to pay full price for an 'adult' one.

 

Do some sunflowers in pots. They are always good starter seeds for kids. Big enough that she can help with planting, quick growing and impressive too. You can just do them on a sunny window sill with a plastic bag on or a clear plastic bottle with the bottom cut off and you have a mini greenhouse.

 

Think I started off about 7, with some Grape Hyacinths, 1p a bulb & some Beetroot my neighbour gave me

 

Mustard and cress seeds on a soggy paper towel (about half a century ago when I did that). Beansprouts (like those used in chinese cooking) also work well grown like that.

 

Or cut the top off a carrot and place it in a saucer with constant water around the base. My sister and I had "competitions" to see whose would grow fastest and tallest
Jenny

 

Zigs, when you were 7, surely 1d a bulb

 

or a farthing a bulb?

 

Nahhh, I don't think he's that old Jenny.

 

And I'm too old to remember when they were withdrawn from circulation Sheal,

 

How about some thing like this
http://item.mobileweb.ebay.co.uk/viewitem?itemId=190741788481&siteId=3&isClassified=false

 

Also the half an egg shell,face drawn on it....stuffed with damp kitchen roll....the good old mustard and cress seed on top and she can watch it's 'hair'grow..... i love these threads and getting the kiddlings into it