I am getting eager to start preparing for this Spring and Summer, but I know it’s just too early for a lot of what I want to do. I’ve started seeing an increase in Twitter posts showing peoples seed trays as people start to get their tender annuals underway. But for me with no greenhouse or cold frame, it’s just too early. I start many of seedlings off in windowsill propagators in the utility room. But this is getting knocked down to be rebuilt longer. So for a little while, this will be out of action. If I start my tender annuals now they’re going to end up too big inside and end up outside too early to then suffer from cold weather. Then if I start digging ground I’m liable to hit bulbs. So I’m holding off. This week looking at doing nothing. Snow has come down this week so the bulbs that started coming up may be regretting it.


1. Patience
I have been stockpiling propagators, yoghurt pots and toilet rolls ready for planting seedlings. I’ve talked about these before, this year I’ve gone for a couple of solid options that will last. It is very tempting to get them filled, but it’s just too early for most of my planned plants. The exception being sweet peas. Once I have a time frame on the utility room extension I may look at starting my sweet peas. But if I start now I’ll be looking at a house filled with seedlings in the way with months until they can go out.
2. Potting tray
In preparation for the sowing ahead, I have bought a portable seed tray. I normally pot up on the grass leading to lots of compost ending up on the lawn. Having watched lots of Gardener’s World I have grown envious of potting sheds. I don’t currently have space to set up a potting bench but at least having a tray will catch some of the compost and make the job a bit easier. As with the previous post I am resisting using it though as it still feels too early to start sowing.
3. Diary
In order to try and organise my seed box, I’ve put some of the key dates for sowing into my diary to remind me to start them going. I have a bad habit of missing sowing dates, so I’m trying to organise what will be coming up.
4. Not pruning
Again, I am resisting doing more work. I gave a handful of trees and shrubs a prune a few weeks ago. I have a few more to do once the risk of frost has gone. The dogwood is due a hard prune, but I will leave until Spring as the red stems still look attractive. But the temptation to put my new Niwaki secateurs to work is strong.
The hydrangea mopheads have gone over fully. I won’t prune these until Spring as they offer protection from frosts and I like the look of them.
5. Not tidying
There are a lot of perennials looking untidy that could do with cutting back. But again, I’m leaving. Some of the taller perennials provide stems for insects to hibernate in and I don’t want to disturb them. Then some of the ground cover is again providing hibernation spaces.
6. Not planting
I have a number of plants to go in the soil but until the soil warms up I’m keeping them in their pots. I’ve got a mass horde of discount hostas and the fern from last week to go in the soil. It’s tempting to get them in the soil but they won’t benefit from going in. They won’t root well and I want to order some more sheep wool to act as a barrier to get them established initially. So, for now, I’ll keep them sheltered and wait.
I hope you’ve enjoyed my week of doing very little. There is a bit of weeding to do today, but we’ll see how the weather is. So far it’s freezing inside so not sold on working outside. Hope you enjoy your weekends and have more productive gardening weeks ahead.
I agree, I think it is a time for doing very little in the garden. I don’t tend to sow seeds until February at the earliest. Like you I am stockpiling toilet rolls – must remember to tell my other half not to put them in the recycling.
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I’ve asked the other half, but don’t think she likes them left around if I don’t store them quickly.
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A little calm right now and procrastination as I said in my post. Good luck for the digging work … Do you dig by hand or with a mini-excavator?
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It’s not me doing it. Builders with a pneumatic drill. Think they are all done with drilling. They’ve been bringing bricks in ready for building up.
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The little yogurt pots worked really well for me last year. Seedlings grew much bigger, faster than in store-bought peat pots. Probably because they didn’t dry out.
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I don’t usually start sowing seeds until March and April. I like your new potting tray. Very useful.
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You sound like a coiled spring ready to be released on an unsuspecting garden!! I am holding back with many seeds since we are away in early March. I usually catch up……. eventually!
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You have a lot to be patient about, all on the starting line poised ready to go. I am sure you are right waiting, there is so much temptation at this time of year. But you are very well organised, when the time is right there will be no stopping you!
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The portable seed tray looks useful. I’ve been looking for one here. I tend to get soil everywhere and the normal house tray I use just is not big enough.
I like the propagators the clear plastic lids look substantial. Next time we bring the car over to the UK I think I’ll invest…
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I’ve had two of the more solid through two years. Should last many more so tried to get more of these to cut my waste.
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I so agree. Leave the garden for now as it will benefit later when the ladybirds come out of hibernation and feast in the aphids. X
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That’s the hope. My roses would benefit from some protection.
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We can just dream and dream for awhile! I loved the potting tray too. And the thistle looking plant!
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The thistle looking plant is teasel. Architectural but spikey to the extreme.
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You’re not the only one doing nothing in the garden, me too! Good luck on the utility room extension — I imagine you’ll be thrilled to have that completed. It’s freezing here in New Jersey (US) as well, but I’m eyeing next week’s projected temps to at least putter around and pick up some leaves.
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Do you have a particular technique for watering the seeds that are sown in toilet rolls? When I tried that the other year, the card tubes just went soggy & mushy and nothing germinated so I guess I’m going something wrong!
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They have usually do go a bit soggy, but so long as they hold until germination. A bit of vermiculite in the potting mix can hold in moisture to reduce need to water. Then I usually aim watering in middle of surface. But some will collapse before it gets to planting point.
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Admirable restraint! Definitely too soon for annuals. April for me. I will sow hardy perennials about now as they need less fiddling about with.
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I sowed carrots in toilet rolls last year. I propped them together in a seed tray and supported them around the bottom of the tray with more compost. It worked well and I was able to plant them out in the rolls. I use root trainers for sweet peas. Like you seed sowing is still a few weeks off – at least!
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