French bean, squash, calabrese and tomato seedlings all planted on 25 March
I have seedling envy. Casting around the vegetable-growing blogosphere has confirmed my fears that my window sill isn't as thriving as I hoped. Back in February one Manchester allotmenteer had healthy-looking tomato seedlings, in Bath in March fine-looking young pea plants were already being planted out and there's even a guy in snowy California who's already potting-on his beefsteaks.
Stubborn herbs
Meanwhile my basil, corinander and flat-leaf parsley have been on the sill for 32 days but are only just showing their first set of true leaves, particulary the basil which is very stubborn. And after 25 days only a few of the tomato seedlings are begining to show that all-important first set. The french beans however are flying, after 18 nights they're developing their second set and most exciting of all some Black Futsu squash have germinated and are looking good.
The herbs and tomatoes seem very slow. I planted everything in coir - maybe this was a mistake? The coir seems to retain moisture incredibly well, so I've only been watering (normally upwards) every week - the first couple of times I added a little seaweed fertiliser but a few herb leaves began to turn brown so I have stopped doing this.
Slow tomatoes
On Saturday I planted a few more squash, zuchinni, lemon basil and barlotti beans in potting compost - maybe this'll be a good comparison.
I'd like to start hardening some off. The beans seem ready, at least. I was thinking of leaning a piece of perspex against a west-facing house wall as a kind of make-shift cold frame. It would be open at both ends - would this be enough protection?
Can I re-pot them and start hardening in the same move, or leave them in their modules for now?
Can any more experienced growers can share their thoughts?
