I needed this today. Snowstorm outside. Fireplace on inside. And panic all way round because I’m terrified of doing stuff wrong. This was calming. Thanks!🇨🇦🇨🇦🇨🇦👍❤️
Ah, even when we do something wrong, we can learn from that (at least, "I won't do that again!"). Every gardener does something wrong, even gardeners with decades of experience.
Can we just appreciate the quality of these vidoes, with the variety of angles, some lush lighting and funny little cutaways... Just utterly entertaining and high quality. I'd say you should be on mainstream tv, but I think that'd only take away from how truly splendid these tutorials are. Im a budding gardener and learning how to do this with my young children, and each video I soak up so much wonderful info and tips. Thank you for the time and effort!
That's so kind of you to say Greg - I'm really chuffed with that, and I know our video editor will also be chuffed! Thanks so much - and happy gardening!
_I declare the new growing season _*_open!_* Ha ha, awesome! I just started my tomatoes (growing 7 varieties this year), peppers and chili peppers yesterday, so right on time 😁👍
Thank you Ben, your infectious enthusiasm is just what I need after a very long, cold winter. And a million thank yous for using the term "potting mix" instead of "compost", much less confusing. Compost is what we make from our garden and kitchen waste and use to top dress the garden beds. Potting mix, of which compost is an ingredient, is for putting in pots. Have a great growing season. 🥦🍅🥕🥔
Oh Happy you, we have snow today and the next nights will be - 10°C 😣 So I have to wait a bit longer , but spring will come. 🌱 Blessings from Germany 👩🏻🌾
Here in North Florida, I have been starting seeds since January. Most indoors and some for my spring garden that can take some possible frost. Going to do some more tomorrow! Right now I have tons of peas started, some outside to grow peas up, many more in seed trays to eat pea shoots. I've never done that and you make it sound so tasty I couldn't help but try it. Very excited. I also have different tomato varieties going, a couple different peppers, several herbs, and many flowers. Along w/peas, though in different areas, I have Rat tail radish (a new one for me), baby bok choy, purple bok choy, wasabina, a few lettuce, one early jersey cabbage (because it's the only 1 of my original 3 that made it, some bachelor buttons, to keep the cabbage company😍, and a whole host of flowers in my front yard. God bless you and everyone here with great growth this year!
If anyone is on a budget and want seed starting trays, you could ask a local grower or nursery if they have any. We get hundreds in the first couple months of the year and just toss them.
Love, love, love your videos! I really appreciate your enthusiasm and excitement for gardening! It’s such fun to watch and learn as a newer gardener! Thank you from Cincinnati Ohio!
I have 3 1020 trays of seedlings outside braving the weather, and one tray inside on a heat mat with seeds germinating. When the rain lets up, I'll be direct sowing Komatsuna, Chijimisai, Tatsoi, turnips, beetroot, Yod Fah, carrots, and radishes. My polytunnel greenhouse project is nearly complete, lacking mulch groundcover, and installing the cover. The three raised beds going inside it are finished, filled, and ready for planting. My snow peas are planted and sprouting. This weekend, and throughout next week, I will be turning over the leaves covering the raised beds into the soil, and seeding them. The strawberry plants I have on order are scheduled for delivery Monday, and will be planted in a GreenStalk Tower. Potato planting is coming up soon, in a week or two. The planting season has officially begun.
I’m loving this channel. The happiest time of my life was when I was growing courgettes, tomatoes, rhubarb etc in my garden. I now have a piece of land again I can do this on (with a greenhouse) and I’m so excited to get going again
Thank you Ben your enthusiasm is contagious 😃. I love this time of the year too, in fact I start to get excited in January because I have a whole new growing season to look forward to. One little tip I have is to use the clear plastic round containers that you get olives, sun dried tomatoes and various dips in to put over the plant pot. Some fit perfectly and others may need the top trimmed off so they can sit just inside the pot. They act as a mini greenhouse and can easily be removed for checking. As always I look forward to your next video 👍
Always enjoy watching people sow seeds! I started some cold tolerant tomatoes really early and will do the rest maybe in 2 weeks. Lettuce from self saved seeds are out too! Some sweet peppers and aubergines are on trial this year and I seem to have acquired different chili seeds (don't know how that happened) that were sown already also. Can't wait to start potting everything up into their next pots. Growing food is just the best.
I can not start seeds for another few weeks because of my climate. But watching your videos really makes me want to grow some seeds! 3 weeks more, i can hold out!
LOVE, LOVE, LOVE you and your videos Rosie and Ben! 🥰. Love the enthusiasm and good cheer you both show for the garden and for helping others. Keep on "plugging!" Pun intended
A disadvantage of seed starting mix is that there are very few nutrients in it for the seedlings after they sprout. I like your idea, Ben, of sifting the potting mix - you get a light mix to start in that way. And I mix the potting soil with water before filling the plugs. Then I punch the holes and put in the seed or sprouts and add just a bit of soil for covering the seed. Then I can water lightly assuring that the top and seed get wet too.
Really enjoying your videos, just planted my first seeds indoors last weekend (Green Beans, Sprouts, Broccoli & Onions) ready to go in my cold frame outside in 2-3 weeks (weirdly warm in UK for February). You've motivated me to up my vegetable growing this year, bought 3x 180cm x 90cm x 45cm depth raised beds and covered in a bamboo frame with insect mesh! Planning to grow Potatoes in Bed 1, Onions (red & white) in Bed 2, Sprouts, Broccoli & Sweetcorn (only 2 of each) in Bed 3, in the first half the year, then moving to Sweed in Bed 1, Cauliflower in Bed 2, more Sprouts (for a later harvest) and Spring Onions in Bed 3. Also growing Courgettes & Climbing Green Beans in pots. Can't wait to see it all pan out, last year I only did Tomatoes, Strawberries, Garlic & Spring Onions.
I have found that pricking out the seedlings produces healthier plants although it's contrary to popular belief. I use slightly more nutritious soil each time that I pot up. The plants are so much stronger for it and really don't have any transplant shock when they go outside. 😊
Whoo-hoo! I planted out my peppers and ( a little early) sweet potato slips. They were looking sad, and I thought getting them in the ground does give them a shot. If I left them in the pots, they would have been done, anyway. Corn is in, zucchini is in and pole beans- all direct sow. This garden planner keeps me right on track, and it really helps to keep me from getting overwhelmed with what I can plant now, and what I can wait on. I'm also paying attention to harvest dates. I don't want to have 3 weeks of living with the picking basket, and spending hours a day in the kitchen, trying to put everything away. Thanks Ben!
Your enthusiasm and joy is always a pleasure to watch and so relatable! I happily check on my little seedlings throughout the day, and catch myself saying " how's my boys?" 😁 Thank you for another great video.
Your videos are just what I needed! I’m really keen to get started growing my own veg from seed but I have been so overwhelmed with all the information and terminology. Your vids are clear and informative and a pleasure to watch 😊
Starting out anew after decades without a garden or greenhouse, I direct sowed seeds last Sunday (2/19/23). Five days later I already had Radishes sprouting. And within just a few more days I had Peas and Spinach sprouting. As of yet though, no sign of my Carrots, Onions, or Lettuce. But I expect them soon. Tomorrow I'll probably sow some of the beneficial flowers into the garden.
Just the video to get my growing enthusiasm going again for this new season. Very clear tips and a great refresher Ben. Thank you 😀🌱I did already start my chillis and peppers a while ago but now I am going to get started on a few of the quick growing things like radish and spinach and of course lettuce. These crops are easy to grow for novice gardeners and can be grown in pots too for those with a smaller space. Also very timely given the news about the poor growing season in southern Europe this winter and the shortage of salad crops currently.
Good luck. Hope you enjoy it and try not to worry /stree too much… it takes the fun outta it. I have found that what will be will be. So just have to do what we can and enjoy it, this is my 2nd year
Love your videos and your enthusiasm is contagious! I will carry on with my seed sowings! I already have tomatoes up and onion bulbs in pots in the green house, I live in the SW of France, so a little ahead of gardeners in the UK.
Thanks for another informative video. We just had an Arctic vortex pass through BC so I will have to wait a little while longer to start my seedlings. I don't have any window sills on board to give them a head start, but your enthusiasm has got me excited to get started!! Cheers!
Interesting to see you using the trays designed by Charles. They are very robust. I may have to sow my onions again as the temperature in my greenhouse has already hit 30C with the vents open. Such a high temperature for February!
That's very warm for February! The plug trays are from Containerwise - don't think they were Charles' trays, but very similar. Charles' look great also - a lot of thought has clearly gone into their design.
So funny to watch you and hear the excitement and enthusiasm on your voice Ben! Albeit, I cannot deny that I have the pre start of the season bug and excitement myself. Great video. Phil. P.S. love the word bedraggled..very funny 👍🤣
Nice one Ben. Might be worth mentioning to only buy coir from reputable sources these days. With the race on for peat replacement materials, there have been many reports of seedlings and plants dying through the use of coir that has not been rinsed properly at processing. Salt is left in the coir and as you know - this kills plants.
@@GrowVeg It's a nightmare with peat-free stuff at present, Ben. It seems that every man and his dog can chuck anything they want into a bag and call it "compost"
When you gave your tip about creating a mini greenhouse with clear plastic and an elastic band, I wondered, "Would a shower cap (which is both those things in one) work?" Turns out the answer is "yes".
Hi Ben I’ve been watching your video’s for a while now and I was just wondering if you’d be able to show some harvesting vids? I love tutorials and guides but it’s also so rewarding seeing the results! Thanks!
I'm trying a bit of a hybrid this year - what I mean by that is starting off cold plants in my small plastic greenhouse, and warm season crops inside but I'm then trying to start off some tomatoes, peppers etc in the mini greenhouse - to see which turn out better, if I have any issues with frost etc
Last year I trialed using a wheelie bin half filled with water with the lid off in my greenhouse. I grow chilli's and asian plants which love the hot moist atmosphere and found having the additional water in the warmer months boosted the greenhouse climate and didn't have to water half as often. Turned out really well so will do the same this year. Forgot to mention, it's also a great slug trap, but a bit gross to empty...
Good stuff Ben, especially the part about prickling the lettuce seedlings. I was concerned about how to handle my community of lettuce seedlings until I saw this!
For teeny tiny seeds can spread them out on damp (not wet) paper towel or tissue paper and use toothpick or whatever to spread them out for proper spacing -- no waste via thinning other than just removing any unhealthy/weak starts, place on top of soil (pots or outdoor garden rows depending upon if direct sow or not) and cover. Instead of spending money on plastic seed start trays can use small cardboard trays or cut boxes down into trays or tubes placed in sturdier/solid trays or sheets (old worn out and discard cookie baking sheets without sides work great but any sturdy flat surface will do) that they'll just slide off of easily and plant the whole tray (make sure poked plenty of holes in the bottom of cardboard trays before filling with soil and seed and replace any plastic tape with paper tape or if careful and use solid sheet that can slide off of then don't actually need any tape).
Love the video and your enthusiasm 😄 may have been a bit eager of me but I've already got my san marzano tomato seeds in the propagator on my windowsill 😊 we're hoping to make our own tomato sauce this year. Basil and onions too, this is my third time trying to grow onions 🌰 fingers crossed they actually germinate this time 🤣
What a fun video...! Will be starting some seeds in a couple of weeks...we still have wintry weather here in Quebec..but I do have a nice sunny window...well half..the snow from shoveling off the roof goes half way up the window😂....
Amazing everything I wanted to know but was afraid to ask. Unlike my wife I’m not a gardener but love growing from seed or cuttings, once they are grown up enough to leave the g
I've been using aluminium muffin cups to germinate seeds for a while now , and I think they're great . I got them for £2 for 30......pretty cheap ! I use a thin nail to punch drainage holes in the bottom , and then enlarge them with a plumper nail.......so easy , even I can do it . I like the aluminium cups a) coz theyre not plastic .b) coz they need very little compost . c) coz you can push the bottom up to eject the compost at pricking out time . d) coz they should last for years . e) coz they take up very little room , horizontally , or even vertically .......sometimes I stack them to create muffin cup " towers " to maximise vertical space in my propagator . The cups in the towers need checking frequently , and pots with seedlings poking heads above ground need moving on .
Not specific advice, no. But as a very general rule I direct-sow root crops like parsnips and carrots and then start most other things off in plug or seed trays. But that's just so I can save space initially and get a bit of a head start - most things can be direct-sown too of course.
Even though I've been gardening for decades, I love these video refreshers!
We love producing them too - great to go back to basics from time to time. :-)
I needed this today. Snowstorm outside. Fireplace on inside. And panic all way round because I’m terrified of doing stuff wrong. This was calming. Thanks!🇨🇦🇨🇦🇨🇦👍❤️
That's wonderful to hear Frances. Hope your growing season is very bright and productive. :-)
Ah, even when we do something wrong, we can learn from that (at least, "I won't do that again!"). Every gardener does something wrong, even gardeners with decades of experience.
Can we just appreciate the quality of these vidoes, with the variety of angles, some lush lighting and funny little cutaways... Just utterly entertaining and high quality. I'd say you should be on mainstream tv, but I think that'd only take away from how truly splendid these tutorials are. Im a budding gardener and learning how to do this with my young children, and each video I soak up so much wonderful info and tips. Thank you for the time and effort!
That's so kind of you to say Greg - I'm really chuffed with that, and I know our video editor will also be chuffed! Thanks so much - and happy gardening!
_I declare the new growing season _*_open!_*
Ha ha, awesome! I just started my tomatoes (growing 7 varieties this year), peppers and chili peppers yesterday, so right on time 😁👍
🎉🎉
That's fab stuff - abundant pickings await you!
I love how energetic and positive you are in every video, just makes me feel really happy 😄😃😃
Wonderful to hear! Thanks for watching. 😀
Thank you Ben, your infectious enthusiasm is just what I need after a very long, cold winter. And a million thank yous for using the term "potting mix" instead of "compost", much less confusing. Compost is what we make from our garden and kitchen waste and use to top dress the garden beds. Potting mix, of which compost is an ingredient, is for putting in pots. Have a great growing season. 🥦🍅🥕🥔
Thanks so much for your kind words Alli. I hope you have a very productive growing season ahead. :-)
Cheers Ben , another fantastic video , sowing seeds is very delightful and the results are very rewarding .
Absolutely!
Oh Happy you, we have snow today and the next nights will be - 10°C 😣
So I have to wait a bit longer , but spring will come. 🌱
Blessings from Germany 👩🏻🌾
Not too much longer to wait now. :-)
yes it feels so great after such a miserable winter... life is back again and i can't wait to start eating my freshly grown veg! yay
Yay! :-)
I’ve just come in from the greenhouse after pricking out some seedlings, I totally agree it’s really exciting to get started.
Watering the compost/soil before sowing seed in trays or outside is such a simple helpful thing - cheers dude
Seed starting is Christmas for gardeners… so exciting. Great inspiring video as always Ben. 🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱🌱
I know what you mean - that's a great way to put it. :-)
Here in North Florida, I have been starting seeds since January. Most indoors and some for my spring garden that can take some possible frost. Going to do some more tomorrow! Right now I have tons of peas started, some outside to grow peas up, many more in seed trays to eat pea shoots. I've never done that and you make it sound so tasty I couldn't help but try it. Very excited. I also have different tomato varieties going, a couple different peppers, several herbs, and many flowers. Along w/peas, though in different areas, I have Rat tail radish (a new one for me), baby bok choy, purple bok choy, wasabina, a few lettuce, one early jersey cabbage (because it's the only 1 of my original 3 that made it, some bachelor buttons, to keep the cabbage company😍, and a whole host of flowers in my front yard. God bless you and everyone here with great growth this year!
I hope you have a very productive growing season - some lovely things already started there.
Yes, pure joy. 🌻
If anyone is on a budget and want seed starting trays, you could ask a local grower or nursery if they have any. We get hundreds in the first couple months of the year and just toss them.
Great suggestion. :-)
Thank you for your suggestion, I never considered doing that. Much love to you x
I will do that..! Thanks..!
Thank you, Ben! It does indeed feel great to be sowing and growing again.
Love, love, love your videos! I really appreciate your enthusiasm and excitement for gardening! It’s such fun to watch and learn as a newer gardener! Thank you from Cincinnati Ohio!
Thanks so much Erica, that's lovely feedback. Happy gardening!
I have 3 1020 trays of seedlings outside braving the weather, and one tray inside on a heat mat with seeds germinating. When the rain lets up, I'll be direct sowing Komatsuna, Chijimisai, Tatsoi, turnips, beetroot, Yod Fah, carrots, and radishes. My polytunnel greenhouse project is nearly complete, lacking mulch groundcover, and installing the cover. The three raised beds going inside it are finished, filled, and ready for planting. My snow peas are planted and sprouting. This weekend, and throughout next week, I will be turning over the leaves covering the raised beds into the soil, and seeding them. The strawberry plants I have on order are scheduled for delivery Monday, and will be planted in a GreenStalk Tower. Potato planting is coming up soon, in a week or two. The planting season has officially begun.
Lots to be looking forward to there Jay - great stuff!
I’m loving this channel. The happiest time of my life was when I was growing courgettes, tomatoes, rhubarb etc in my garden. I now have a piece of land again I can do this on (with a greenhouse) and I’m so excited to get going again
Oh wow - that is exciting! Enjoy!
Thank you Ben your enthusiasm is contagious 😃. I love this time of the year too, in fact I start to get excited in January because I have a whole new growing season to look forward to.
One little tip I have is to use the clear plastic round containers that you get olives, sun dried tomatoes and various dips in to put over the plant pot. Some fit perfectly and others may need the top trimmed off so they can sit just inside the pot. They act as a mini greenhouse and can easily be removed for checking.
As always I look forward to your next video 👍
What a great idea Vanessa. :-)
Similar, I've used brown mushroom trays with clear ones on top. Make a nice little propagator
Always enjoy watching people sow seeds! I started some cold tolerant tomatoes really early and will do the rest maybe in 2 weeks. Lettuce from self saved seeds are out too! Some sweet peppers and aubergines are on trial this year and I seem to have acquired different chili seeds (don't know how that happened) that were sown already also. Can't wait to start potting everything up into their next pots. Growing food is just the best.
Absolutely Katrin - such a rewarding experience. :-)
I love the enthusiasm, ‘glorious’✨ and ‘pure joy’ ✨ my favorite planting channel. 👋🏽 From Belize
Thanks so much for watching! :-)
Your joy is contagious 😊
Thank you! :-)
I can not start seeds for another few weeks because of my climate. But watching your videos really makes me want to grow some seeds! 3 weeks more, i can hold out!
You could start some the germination indoors,
@@edwardsaucedo9223 Thats what i am going to do in 3 weeks. If I do it before that they get to big before i can plant them outside by the end of may.
Great to hear - not long to wait now. :-)
LOVE, LOVE, LOVE you and your videos Rosie and Ben! 🥰. Love the enthusiasm and good cheer you both show for the garden and for helping others. Keep on "plugging!" Pun intended
Thanks so much - and we will! :-)
A disadvantage of seed starting mix is that there are very few nutrients in it for the seedlings after they sprout. I like your idea, Ben, of sifting the potting mix - you get a light mix to start in that way.
And I mix the potting soil with water before filling the plugs. Then I punch the holes and put in the seed or sprouts and add just a bit of soil for covering the seed. Then I can water lightly assuring that the top and seed get wet too.
Pre-watering is a great way to avoid disturbing the seeds and ensure full moisture penetration, great idea Barb.
Thank you, Ben. I will refer to this video many times in the next few months. Cheers! Mary
Excellent video. I have my pepper and tomato seeds ready to sow, and this video has great tips. Perfect!
5:56 So soothing! 😌❤️
It's beautiful stuff!
Had another 12-inches of snow this past weekend...
Thank you!
Really enjoying your videos, just planted my first seeds indoors last weekend (Green Beans, Sprouts, Broccoli & Onions) ready to go in my cold frame outside in 2-3 weeks (weirdly warm in UK for February). You've motivated me to up my vegetable growing this year, bought 3x 180cm x 90cm x 45cm depth raised beds and covered in a bamboo frame with insect mesh! Planning to grow Potatoes in Bed 1, Onions (red & white) in Bed 2, Sprouts, Broccoli & Sweetcorn (only 2 of each) in Bed 3, in the first half the year, then moving to Sweed in Bed 1, Cauliflower in Bed 2, more Sprouts (for a later harvest) and Spring Onions in Bed 3. Also growing Courgettes & Climbing Green Beans in pots. Can't wait to see it all pan out, last year I only did Tomatoes, Strawberries, Garlic & Spring Onions.
Sounds like you'll have lots to harvest there - great work!
I have found that pricking out the seedlings produces healthier plants although it's contrary to popular belief. I use slightly more nutritious soil each time that I pot up. The plants are so much stronger for it and really don't have any transplant shock when they go outside. 😊
That's really great to hear Magen. :-)
Another cracking video! Exactly what I need to get the creative juices flowing.
Thanks Ben, your content is much appreciated ... really simplifying gardening and making it something that's enjoyable and not overwhelming
That's really lovely feedback, thanks so much! :-)
Whoo-hoo! I planted out my peppers and ( a little early) sweet potato slips. They were looking sad, and I thought getting them in the ground does give them a shot. If I left them in the pots, they would have been done, anyway. Corn is in, zucchini is in and pole beans- all direct sow. This garden planner keeps me right on track, and it really helps to keep me from getting overwhelmed with what I can plant now, and what I can wait on. I'm also paying attention to harvest dates. I don't want to have 3 weeks of living with the picking basket, and spending hours a day in the kitchen, trying to put everything away. Thanks Ben!
Your very welcome. Sounds like you've another very productive year ahead of you. :-)
Your enthusiasm and joy is always a pleasure to watch and so relatable! I happily check on my little seedlings throughout the day, and catch myself saying " how's my boys?" 😁 Thank you for another great video.
Haha - same here! :-)
Me too. Hehe😂. Gardening is so much fun!
"Hoik" is now my favorite gardening term!😊
Haha - brilliant!
I love your excitement, it's very contagious! 💜🦋💜
Thanks Michele :-)
Your videos are really inspiring and you make gardening so fun
Thank you. :-)
Thank you for sharing friend, I bet the Lord teaches you so much about life while your in the Garden.
It is a truly inspirational place to be - always great to be close to nature. :-)
I purchased some CD60s from Charles Dowding this year, they are great! Awesome video as always, hope your raised beds grow full!
Those trays do look the business Will, agreed. :)
Love this guy's enthusiasm and knowledge base!
Thank you! :-)
Excited about multi-sowing and it’s abundance!
Great stuff Jack - do give it a try. :-)
It is very nice working in the garden at the lovely evening time...stock...stock...stock... 💐
Your videos are just what I needed! I’m really keen to get started growing my own veg from seed but I have been so overwhelmed with all the information and terminology. Your vids are clear and informative and a pleasure to watch 😊
Starting out anew after decades without a garden or greenhouse, I direct sowed seeds last Sunday (2/19/23). Five days later I already had Radishes sprouting. And within just a few more days I had Peas and Spinach sprouting. As of yet though, no sign of my Carrots, Onions, or Lettuce. But I expect them soon. Tomorrow I'll probably sow some of the beneficial flowers into the garden.
Great to be seeing things germinating already - spring has sprung!
It is so exciting to start again 🤗
I bought these plug trays a couple of years ago and although they are a bit pricey they are great and will outlast me!
Great to hear they're worth the investment.
Thank you for this:)
I plan to start my 1st garden this spring! I'm in Canada and hopeful for a successful summer garden! ☀️ 🌱
Hope your garden thrives - enjoy the whole process of creating it. :-)
Howdy Ben! 👋 Nice one! 👍It's so exciting to be at dropping seeds again! 💃
Certainly is Valorie!
Some of the best vibes on youtube
Just the video to get my growing enthusiasm going again for this new season. Very clear tips and a great refresher Ben. Thank you 😀🌱I did already start my chillis and peppers a while ago but now I am going to get started on a few of the quick growing things like radish and spinach and of course lettuce. These crops are easy to grow for novice gardeners and can be grown in pots too for those with a smaller space. Also very timely given the news about the poor growing season in southern Europe this winter and the shortage of salad crops currently.
Yes indeed - food shortages make you realise that growing your own is very important!
Always a pleasure and informative. Thank you.
Helpful content, wonderfully presented - thank You!
I’m trying seed starting for the first time (as well as gardening!!). I’ve only done peppers so far and I’m waiting for them to germinate.
Good luck.
Hope you enjoy it and try not to worry /stree too much… it takes the fun outta it. I have found that what will be will be. So just have to do what we can and enjoy it, this is my 2nd year
Nice one Debbie! Happy gardening. :-)
Love your videos and your enthusiasm is contagious! I will carry on with my seed sowings! I already have tomatoes up and onion bulbs in pots in the green house, I live in the SW of France, so a little ahead of gardeners in the UK.
Great to hear you're already well ahead there Liz. :-)
Thank you so much for your cheerful wisdom. I learn a lot from you. 👨🌾
Thank you! :-)
Love ya Ben.
Top teacher u are
Cheers John!
Hi Ben, some great tips there. I've been sowing Dill,5 varieties of lettuce, cosmos, and Bush tomatoes. It's felt good.🌻
Great to be sowing again Joy! :-)
Learnt so much from this single video. Choke full of useful info! Thank you for the good work!!
That is fab to hear. Thank you for watching. :-)
Thanks for another informative video. We just had an Arctic vortex pass through BC so I will have to wait a little while longer to start my seedlings. I don't have any window sills on board to give them a head start, but your enthusiasm has got me excited to get started!! Cheers!
Hopefully you can make a start soon. :-)
@bina nocht Those are fabulous ideas! I might be able to put something together! Thank you so much!
I love your teaching skills. Thank you so much😊
Thanks for watching Claire. :-)
Fantastic video, you are so good and patient. Thank you
My artichoke and onion seeds are sprouting now! Soon other seeds will join them under the lights! I get so excited this time every year!! 😆
Yey! Well done on getting the first things sprouted already. :-)
Happy for you. Wish I was going in spring because I am going into autumn.
Great video loaded with wonderful information! Thank you Ben!!!!
You're very welcome! :-)
Interesting to see you using the trays designed by Charles. They are very robust.
I may have to sow my onions again as the temperature in my greenhouse has already hit 30C with the vents open. Such a high temperature for February!
That's very warm for February! The plug trays are from Containerwise - don't think they were Charles' trays, but very similar. Charles' look great also - a lot of thought has clearly gone into their design.
Lettuce can be sown into pure sand. Very good germination rate and it is easy to take the seedlings out for pricking.
Great tip, thanks Gerőházi.
My tomato 🍅 seedlings appeared this morning Ben 😁 so satisfying 😁 I love your Chanel 🤗 have a great spring 🍎🌱
Yey! Great to hear Lynda. Still waiting on some of mine!
@@GrowVeg early days but your enthusiasm is infectious Ben ❤️
So funny to watch you and hear the excitement and enthusiasm on your voice Ben! Albeit, I cannot deny that I have the pre start of the season bug and excitement myself.
Great video.
Phil.
P.S. love the word bedraggled..very funny 👍🤣
Cheers Phil - really appreciate your kind words. :-)
These are perfect videos
Lovely video thank you. Looks like I’m on the right track with my gardening!
Glad to hear it Jon. :-)
Thanks for sharing. I do enjoy your enthusiasm.
Love your videos, thanks for sharing and take care 🙂
Thanks for watching Christine. :-)
Nice one Ben. Might be worth mentioning to only buy coir from reputable sources these days. With the race on for peat replacement materials, there have been many reports of seedlings and plants dying through the use of coir that has not been rinsed properly at processing. Salt is left in the coir and as you know - this kills plants.
I had no idea - thanks so much for sharing that! Sad there's such a lot of untrustworthy sources like that.
@@GrowVeg It's a nightmare with peat-free stuff at present, Ben. It seems that every man and his dog can chuck anything they want into a bag and call it "compost"
When you gave your tip about creating a mini greenhouse with clear plastic and an elastic band, I wondered, "Would a shower cap (which is both those things in one) work?"
Turns out the answer is "yes".
Indeed it would - good thinking! :-)
Confidence building Ben! 👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼🥕✅
So pleased to hear that! :-)
Hi Ben I’ve been watching your video’s for a while now and I was just wondering if you’d be able to show some harvesting vids? I love tutorials and guides but it’s also so rewarding seeing the results! Thanks!
Do have a watch of some of my garden tour videos - I harvest a fair amount in some of those. Also this video: th-cam.com/video/GPrn0UMrOvw/w-d-xo.html
"Sowing the seeds of Love" 🎵
Lets gooo! Got me excited for this season
Fantastic teaching!
Thanks! 😀
Amazing! I envy your energy!
nice seedlings I hope you have lots of luck this season
Thank you - and I hope you do too Jackie.
Thank you muchly for this.
I have Windowsill plug seed starters, with the lids.
I've got to get busy.
Take care GV & everyone.❤️🙂🐶
I just find this channel and love it. Thanks 🙏 it will be very usefully ❤❤❤❤
Very good Ben, thank u!
I love this guy.
Thanks so much! :-)
I'm trying a bit of a hybrid this year - what I mean by that is starting off cold plants in my small plastic greenhouse, and warm season crops inside but I'm then trying to start off some tomatoes, peppers etc in the mini greenhouse - to see which turn out better, if I have any issues with frost etc
Great stuff - just keep the warm season crops safe from frost. :-)
I look forward to your videos!
To another year of learning and growing :o)
Looking forward to it Mark. :-)
Last year I trialed using a wheelie bin half filled with water with the lid off in my greenhouse. I grow chilli's and asian plants which love the hot moist atmosphere and found having the additional water in the warmer months boosted the greenhouse climate and didn't have to water half as often. Turned out really well so will do the same this year. Forgot to mention, it's also a great slug trap, but a bit gross to empty...
What a great setup! :-)
Just the information I needed..thanks
Good stuff Ben, especially the part about prickling the lettuce seedlings. I was concerned about how to handle my community of lettuce seedlings until I saw this!
Glad to have helped Lonnie.
For teeny tiny seeds can spread them out on damp (not wet) paper towel or tissue paper and use toothpick or whatever to spread them out for proper spacing -- no waste via thinning other than just removing any unhealthy/weak starts, place on top of soil (pots or outdoor garden rows depending upon if direct sow or not) and cover. Instead of spending money on plastic seed start trays can use small cardboard trays or cut boxes down into trays or tubes placed in sturdier/solid trays or sheets (old worn out and discard cookie baking sheets without sides work great but any sturdy flat surface will do) that they'll just slide off of easily and plant the whole tray (make sure poked plenty of holes in the bottom of cardboard trays before filling with soil and seed and replace any plastic tape with paper tape or if careful and use solid sheet that can slide off of then don't actually need any tape).
Great advice and ideas, thank you. :-)
Thank you this was so helpful to me
Love the video and your enthusiasm 😄 may have been a bit eager of me but I've already got my san marzano tomato seeds in the propagator on my windowsill 😊 we're hoping to make our own tomato sauce this year. Basil and onions too, this is my third time trying to grow onions 🌰 fingers crossed they actually germinate this time 🤣
Fingers crossed for you Ann-Marie!
Very helpful! Thanks!
What a fun video...! Will be starting some seeds in a couple of weeks...we still have wintry weather here in Quebec..but I do have a nice sunny window...well half..the snow from shoveling off the roof goes half way up the window😂....
Won't be too long till spring arrives I hope. :-)
Amazing everything I wanted to know but was afraid to ask. Unlike my wife I’m not a gardener but love growing from seed or cuttings, once they are grown up enough to leave the g
I've been using aluminium muffin cups to germinate seeds for a while now , and I think they're great . I got them for £2 for 30......pretty cheap !
I use a thin nail to punch drainage holes in the bottom , and then enlarge them with a plumper nail.......so easy , even I can do it .
I like the aluminium cups a) coz theyre not plastic .b) coz they need very little compost . c) coz you can push the bottom up to eject the compost at pricking out time . d) coz they should last for years . e) coz they take up very little room , horizontally , or even vertically .......sometimes I stack them to create muffin cup " towers " to maximise vertical space in my propagator . The cups in the towers need checking frequently , and pots with seedlings poking heads above ground need moving on .
What a great idea Richard!
Is there information on which vegs should be direct planted and which are better starting in seed trays?
Not specific advice, no. But as a very general rule I direct-sow root crops like parsnips and carrots and then start most other things off in plug or seed trays. But that's just so I can save space initially and get a bit of a head start - most things can be direct-sown too of course.