A big welcome to any new subscribers this week. This is my once-a-month round-up of what’s going on in the garden; next week I’ll be continuing the Seasonal Planting series for paid subscribers with some ideas on creating planting plans, including plant lists from my own borders. But this post is all about celebrating early spring. I love this time of anticipation almost more than any other time of the year. The furry buds of
I read, with a certain degree of envy, about the joy of sowing seeds in March because, for those like me without a greenhouse, only sowing directly into soil is possible. And talk of a cool windowsill, as in old gardening books, is unrealistic in central heated houses.
I understand your frustration Elfreda. A warm windowsill is fine but I know, you need somewhere for the seedlings to go when they’ve germinated. You could try a small upright cold frame or mini greenhouse? Then you could sow cosmos and other less hardy things for planting out later. Just having a small covered space outside will extend what you can grow.
Same here … I still don’t have a greenhouse. One day….. and in the meantime I can enjoy the pleasure of growing seeds from this gorgeous garden journal
I searched Substack for other flower gardener writers like me and found your post. I love it! It's so "me" so I'll have to subscribe. Where are you located? It seems gardeners "across the pond" have a larger presence online than here near me. I'm always on the lookout for those closer to me.
Hi Cheryl, I live in Berkshire, UK, which is an hour west of London. Thank you for finding me! Where are you?
Clare
I read, with a certain degree of envy, about the joy of sowing seeds in March because, for those like me without a greenhouse, only sowing directly into soil is possible. And talk of a cool windowsill, as in old gardening books, is unrealistic in central heated houses.
I understand your frustration Elfreda. A warm windowsill is fine but I know, you need somewhere for the seedlings to go when they’ve germinated. You could try a small upright cold frame or mini greenhouse? Then you could sow cosmos and other less hardy things for planting out later. Just having a small covered space outside will extend what you can grow.
Same here … I still don’t have a greenhouse. One day….. and in the meantime I can enjoy the pleasure of growing seeds from this gorgeous garden journal
Thanks Jo!
I searched Substack for other flower gardener writers like me and found your post. I love it! It's so "me" so I'll have to subscribe. Where are you located? It seems gardeners "across the pond" have a larger presence online than here near me. I'm always on the lookout for those closer to me.
Another beautiful post, Clare … the joy of growing from seed