Tips for Growing Vegetables with Thompson And Morgan Seeds

Editor's note: This article is part of budgetgainer.'s 2024 report.

Growing your own vegetables can be rewarding, healthy and fun. Thompson and Morgan have a fantastic range of vegetable seeds and plants, with everything you need to get started.

Choose crops that grow quickly and are easy to care for. Ensure your plot has good drainage and is nutrient-rich with organic matter such as compost, leafy greens, grass clippings or straw.

Planting

As supermarkets continue to struggle with stock levels, it’s an ideal time for gardeners to try their hand at growing vegetables themselves. It’s not only an economical way to eat but is also highly rewarding and can be a fun family activity. There’s no need for a large garden – you can grow flowers, vegetables and herbs in containers, window boxes or even just a small patch of land at Thompson and Morgan Free Delivery Voucher Code.

Regardless of whether you plan on direct sowing your vegetables outdoors or indoors, it is recommended to prepare the soil before planting. This will help to ensure the seeds are able to germinate and thrive. This can be done by loosening the soil, removing any weeds and if necessary adding in some well-rotted compost or manure.

Many seeds benefit from pre-chilling or stratification – a process which speeds up the germination of slow to germinate varieties. Simply add the seeds to a seed tray with some moistened compost, cover them with a plastic bag or cloche and place in the refrigerator for the suggested amount of time.

It’s also worth considering sowing some green manure (BUY NOW). These fast-growing plants are an effective means of improving soil structure, suppressing weeds and reducing the need for fertilizers.

Sowing

Whether starting plants from seed indoors or in the garden, careful sowing will help to ensure your vegetables thrive. The key is to make sure that you are giving your seeds the best chance of germinating, which is why it is worth reading up on growing guides and paying attention to the back of your seed packet for specific information.

For example, if you see mention of ‘pre-chilling’ or ‘stratification` on the packet this is a process that helps to speed up germination for some varieties. You will need to place your seeds on moistened seed compost, then seal the tray in a polythene bag and move it into the refrigerator for a period of time (usually about a week).

The back of your seed packet should also typically give you a guideline as to the spacing of your seeds. It`s worth bearing this in mind when sowing - particularly in small gardens as it can be easier to manage the space you have with closely spaced crops.

Paying close attention to the soil conditions of your garden is also essential. It is helpful to have a soil test done so you can determine if you need to add in some extra nutrients or amend the soil with manure before planting your vegetables. This can be achieved by simply having a sample taken and a chart created to show the levels of nitrogen, phosphorous and potassium.

Growing

Some seeds are quite unfussy and will germinate with the minimum of fuss, but others need a bit more care. The seed packet will tell you what conditions are needed for germination. For example, it may indicate that the seeds need to be started indoors and supplied with just enough warmth to bring them to life. That doesn`t necessarily mean a heated greenhouse or any other expensive equipment; you can use an airing cupboard, a cold frame, or even just a sunny windowsill to provide the warmth and moisture required by some seeds.

Once the seeds are planted they will grow into mature vegetables, ready for harvesting. During the growing process, it`s important to keep an eye out for insect pests and diseases. It`s usually easier to manage them at an early stage, so a quick visit to the garden every day or two will help prevent problems. Also, practicing crop rotation can help reduce the build-up of pests and diseases in the soil.

Growing your own vegetables is a rewarding and enjoyable hobby. The tips above will help you create a healthy, productive Home & Garden Discount Codes and save money on fresh produce from the supermarkets. Plus, you`ll be reducing your carbon footprint and giving back to the environment at the same time. So, grab your Thompson And Morgan catalogue and get planting!

Harvesting

When seed is ripe it will usually come away easily from the pod or capsule with a little fingertip pressure, and it should then be emptied into a labeled envelope for storage. This process is sometimes known as `pre-chilling` and can speed up the germination of some slow-to-start seeds. To pre-chill your seeds simply place the enveloped seed in a sealed polythene bag and move it to a cool, dark place such as the bottom of a refrigerator.

It is worth checking that the seed is absolutely dry before storing, as damp seeds will soon rot. Paper bags and envelopes are best, rather than cheap polythene bags which can leak through the corners. Older envelopes are ideal, but it is always a good idea to check that they have not been crudely folded leaving large holes through which precious seed may trickle.

Growing vegetables from seed is incredibly rewarding, but it can be tricky to get the timing right. To help, Thompson & Morgan include simple sowing and growing instructions for each variety on every seed packet. You can also download the

Last Word

Thompson & Morgan Seeds Calendar from the website to plan ahead and make sure that you are sowing at the right time!