Sowing Seeds Pt. 1 - Outdoors

On the 2nd April, I started sowing some seeds outside on the roof.

After an initial panic about the amount of containers I would need to buy to grow all the things I wanted, I found that several local food outlets were leaving wooden fruit boxes out on the street for people to take. Some had higher sides than others, both had their uses.

Just planted!

To make the boxes usable, I added a lining of newspaper, (or in one case, flattened foil takeaway trays) ripped in several places to aid drainage, before filling with a mix of peat-free compost and multi-purpose compost.

Turnip to left, Carrot to right

Root crops need the 8" depth of the deeper box, so Carrots - "Flyaway" - and Turnips - "Golden Ball" - were the first in the ground.

Here they are again at the end of April, Turnips to the left. I clearly ignored the planting distance guide, and do not have the ruthless grit to thin them out. However, a small rustling of the soil reveals baby Turnips forming, and they will need their space... 

Close up Carrot Seedling

The Carrots are a bit behind. I'm hoping, being far above the usual low-fly zone frequented by the Carrot Fly, that thinning at any time wont be a problem, thus giving me excuses to delay the matter.