So, you’ve decided planting your own veggie patch is the best way to cure your isolation boredom and provide some extra fresh food for your household without having to venture to the supermarket… But how do you actually start growing the plants? And where will you source the seeds from? With many shop shelves bare and more people realising the need to increase their food security even nurseries and hardware stores have been selling out of seeds and seedlings of late. But if we take a moment to look around our houses and neighbourhoods in our local community, we may find all we need to grow our own food from seed. Thinking creatively, improvising and making do with what you’ve got are more important now than ever! Benefits of growing from seed:
What you will need:
Collecting and sourcing seeds: Start with what you’ve already got, have a look around your kitchen for any potential seeds you could use to grow from fruits, veggies and herbs (try pumpkin seeds, chillies, capsicums, melons, zucchini, tomatoes, or whatever is in season!). Let plants you already have in your garden go to seed – wait until the seed pods are fully mature and drying out while still on the plant, then collect them. Find some herbs or veggies that have gone to seed that you can collect seeds from in your neighbourhood or from friend’s & family’s gardens (why not start your own local seed swapping group). Make sure to dry out any seeds you collect before storing them to prevent mould! Check out ‘Seed saving’ & ‘Seed exchange’ groups on social media in your local area to trade and learn more about seed saving and collecting! Look out for local community groups, neighbourhood houses, and of course community gardens that you may be able to find seeds for free or for trade. Come down to the Deakin Community Garden at Burwood and find a variety of plants that are currently going to seed and ready to be collected yourself! Storing:
Planting and growing your seeds: First, remember to check if your seeds prefer to be sown directly into a garden bed/pot or grown indoors until they’re big enough to be transplanted (not most root veggies!) Check a veggie planting guide for when is best to sow each plant in your area for each month before you pop them in (see Gardening Australia, Gardenate, ABC Organic Gardener). Some seeds to look at planting in April might be:
Then fill your container nearly to the top (1cm below edge) of your chosen container with seed raising mix or some good quality soil with a bit of sand/gravel for drainage at the bottom. Make sure your soil is damp, water a little if it needs planting. For small seeds, sprinkling them on top of the soil before covering with a little more seed-raising mix/soil (just enough to cover them). For larger seeds, make a small trench with your finger, plant spaced apart and cover with more soil. When watering be careful to use a fine mist on your watering can/hose, so you don’t wash the seeds away. Alternatively, you could put the container in a dish of water for it to soak up into the soil from below. Make sure to remove them when the water has soaked in or it will get too soggy! Label your freshly planted seedlings with the name and date planted while you remember with a wooden icy pole stick or any other label you can find. In colder weather use a transparent plastic or glass covering to create a mini greenhouse that will warm up and keep more moisture in (cut up plastic bottle, reuse plastic punnet lids). Placement – somewhere sunny and warm like a windowsill or balcony often works depending on the season and the type of plant. Some might need more or less sun and might do better inside or outside, trial a few spots around your place and see what works! Keep soil moist but not soggy, check with your finger every day or two to feel if soil is damp or dry, if it’s dry, it needs a water. When your seedlings have grown to about 5-10cm high depending on type they can be transplanted to your garden bed or a bigger pot. Sharing your own seeds!
Once you’ve successfully grown some plants remember to let a few of them go to seed so you can collect and save some for next time you want to plant them. You can then continue the cycle by sharing your home-grown seeds and produce with your friends, family and community! Let's sow our way to food security together while we're apart, happy growing!
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The happy Deakin Scarecrow family- Russel Scarecrow, Rita Hayworth and Benny Cumberbale |