Purchasing Vegetable Seeds Online
Choosing the Right Veggie Seeds: A Straight-Up Guide
Plunging into the world of seed catalogs for veggies can leave you feeling utterly baffled, man! With so many options shouting about their newfound glory, it's easier than hell to end up overwhelmed. But don't sweat it, Alan Titchmarsh has got your back with this no-nonsense guide to navigating the confusing landscape of veg seed selection. He'll help you figure out what to look for, from treating your taste buds right to balancing the old with the new.
Keep It Simple: Grow What You Fucking Love
First things first - grow the veggies that fire up your tastebuds! Sounds like common sense, but it's easy to get swept away by all those sparkly new options in the catalog. If nobody in your crew digs broadbeans, there's no reason to grow a whole patch of 'em, no matter how tempting they may seem. Stick with what you know you'll enjoy and experiment with some newbies too.
The Low-Down on Length of Growing Season
When scoping out seeds, pay attention to the number of days till maturity listed on the packet. Choose varieties that mature within your garden's growing season. If you've got a short growing season, opt for early maturing veggies. Longer growing seasons can accommodate mid to late season crops.
Early, Mid, or Late Season
Cut off the duds by choosing crops that mature early if your growing season is short. Anything long in the tooth, like tomatoes or aubergines, can be a pain in the ass. So opt for short-growing-season varieties that ripen earlier, like the snappy Czech Early aubergine.
Don't Let Your Favourites Get Buried
While it's cool to try new things, don't let your old favourites get kicked to the curb. Your go-to veggies deserve a spot in your garden. When it comes to beetroot, branch out from the traditional dark red varieties. Go crazy with orange, yellow, and striped options. Just don't go overboard - stick with what your crew digs.
Brassicas with Disease-Resistance: A Blessing for Acid Soil Gardeners
Cheers to brassicas with an improved resistance to club root, which can be a curse for acid soil gardeners. It's a real lifesaver if you're battling acid soil and trying to grow your own grub.
F1 Hybrid Varieties: A Helping Hand
F1 hybrid varieties might cost you a few extra bucks, but they're worth it. These first-generation crosses are usually loaded with vigor and disease resistance. If you're new to veggie gardening, these are great because they're easier to grow and maintain. Just remember that F1 hybrids cannot be saved for seeds from your harvest, so you'll need to buy new seeds every year.
Aid for First-Time Veggie Growers
If you're new to veggie gardening and feeling lost, fear not! There's assistance for you.
Seed Tapes
Hate fussing around with seeds? No worries! Get your hands on seed tapes. These bad boys come in various varieties, like radishes, with the seeds already spaced out for you. Simply drag the tape along your drill, cover it up with soil, and you're golden.
Pot Toppers
Like seed tapes but for potted plants? Look no further than pot toppers! These tissue-like strips have seeds laced within, allowing you to sprinkle them onto your potted compost without any fuss.
The Thrill of Homegrown Veggies
For Alan, nothing beats the primal satisfaction of planting, growing, and plucking your own veggies. Go ahead, pick the seeds that offer disease resistance, vigor, early cropping, and constant production. But above all, choose the seeds that will deliver on flavor - because if you ain't going to enjoy 'em, there's no point in growing 'em! Have fun, and may your garden flourish.
- To ensure you're growing veggies that delight your taste buds, select seeds based on your personal preferences. Avoid getting swayed by numerous new options in seed catalogs.
- When selecting seeds, carefully consider the number of days till maturity listed on the packet and choose varieties that mature within your garden's growing season. If your growing season is short, opt for early maturing veggies, while longer growing seasons can accommodate mid to late season crops.
- Don't abandon your favorite veggies in favor of new varieties. Incorporate them into your garden, but feel free to experiment with unique versions, like colored beetroot options beyond the traditional dark red varieties.
- If you're dealing with acid soil, look for brassicas with improved resistance to club root, which can be problematic in such conditions. Additionally, consider F1 hybrid varieties that offer enhanced vigor and disease resistance, especially for first-time veggie gardeners.
