This Spring we teamed up with renowned kitchen garden writer Rekha Mistry to explain how she uses our Wool Compost for Seeds...
'Time to sow onion seeds. You asked when I sow and in particular HOW I sow. HOW I have achieved those magnificent harvests over the past 3 years from seeds!
For the past 3 winters, I get very excited when I receive @dalefootcomposts seed compost. And onion seeds are the first on my list to be sown. I've found the quality of this peat-free seed compost to be fine in structure and always of superb quality. Oh my joy to find it now contains comfrey too! Fantastic! I do not need to worry about the nutrient boost seedlings will need whilst in a seed tray!
To save on space, compost and trays. For 'spring sown' onion seeds, I always use full size deep seed trays with drainage holes. Fill it with lovely fluffy Dalefoot compost. Tap down the tray and then tamp down the compost gently with a tampering tool or a similar sized tray to create an even growing space. This not only removes air pockets but helps achieve even germination for such a large number of seeds sown too. Carefully scatter seeds evenly. (I scatter no more than 80 seeds, because I will not fuss over this tray again. I will not thin out individually until planting out day in April). Next I always prefer to seive over 1cm layer of seed compost. Tamp down again, so seeds and the "compost sandwich" are in contact with each other. Then label and water from base. Tray is now set in the unheated greenhouse with a propagator lid until germination takes place. As soon as seedlings appear, the lid is off and all I will do until April is keep this tray watered when needed.
That's it. Next time you see this tray, it will be in April when I plant out. For successful onion seedlings good quality 'seed compost' and seeds are required.
I'm here for you should you need my guidance. Happy sowing!'
Rekha
Rekha runs her blog Rekha's Kitchen Garden where she shares her wealth of gardening knowledge, tips and recipes. You can also find her on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter