Author: Incredible Edible Leeds

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Seed Sowing

Sunflower Bambino

Helianthus annuus

Dead head regularly to encourage continuous flowering.

Seed Saving: Allow seeds to form on the largest heads and allow to dry and then harvest the seeds.

Nutritional Values: Sunflower seeds are rich in the B complex vitamins, which are essential for a healthy nervous system, and are a good source of phosphorus, magnesium, iron, calcium, potassium, protein and vitamin E.

Culinary uses: Sunflower heads are edible and are delicious roasted with a little salt and pepper and olive oil.

Categories
Seed Sowing

Wildflower Seeds (Not Edible)

A mix of seeds to create a beautiful wildflower habitat and encourage biodiversity in urban landscapes.

Sowing Rate:

1 – 2 g/m2

Contains:

Buttercup, White Campion, Corncockle, Cornflower, Corn Chamomile, Field Forget-me-not, Corn Marigold, Scentless Chamomile, Common Poppy, Field Pansy

Wildflower Site Preparation

Cultivate to achieve a fine seed bed, sow seed mix and then roll to ensure firmness. The best results are obtained when there is good contact between the soil and the seeds.

Sowing Times

Sowing can best be achieved by mixing the seed with dry sand, dry sifted topsoil or sawdust and evenly broadcast. It is important that the seed is in contact with moisture in the soil so the seedbed should be lightly raked and then watered.

Categories
Seed Sowing

Parsley

Petroselinum crispum

  • Early indoor sowings in pots or trays under glass. Thin to 5-6cm (2-2.5”) apart before gradually hardening off and planting out in April 25cm (10”) apart.Later sowings direct into the growing site 1cm (0.5”) deep. Gradually thin to eventual spacing 25cm (102). The thinnings can be potted for winter use. Always harvest by cutting 2cm (¾”) above the soil to encourage new growth.

Categories
Seed Sowing

Lettuce – Salad Bowl Mixed

When to Sow: Indoors: year round – Outdoors: April

When to Harvest: Regularly

How to Sow:

  • Early sowings under glass into pots or trays of sowing compost in a frost free location. Lightly cover seeds with a sprinkling of compost.
  • Alternatively sow seeds from April thinly along rows 1.5cm (0.5”) deep and 30 cm (12”) apart directly into the soil.
  • Prick out sowings made under glass into pots or module trays and grow on until ready to harden of.
  • Plant out into the vegetable plot 30cm (12”) apart between the plants and rows.
  • When large enough thin seedlings sown outside to 30cm (12”) apart.
  • Transplant thinnings into other rows. Water well during hot dry spells.
  • Pick outer leaves regularly for continued growth.
Categories
Seed Sowing

Cauliflower

When to Sow: January / February or September / October (see How to..)

When to Harvest: 18-24 weeks after sowing

How to Sow:

  • Sow Jan/Feb in a propagator on a windowsill or in a frost-free greenhouse.
  • Cover seeds with 6mm (1/4”) sieved compost.
  • Germination is approximately 7-12 days.
  • Transplant seedlings into 75mm (3”) pots, grow on and plant in cultivated soil 50-60cm (20-24”) apart each way.
  • May be sown September/October and over-wintered in a cold frame for eventual planting outside.
  • Plant firmly.
  • Sowing to cropping is 18-24 weeks.