Gardening with Margaret Matthews
For extra satisfaction grow from seed
by Margaret Matthews
"To see the world in a grain of sand,
And a heaven in a wild flower,
Hold infinity in the palm of your hand,
And eternity in an hour."
We are required to experience a flight of the imagination similar to that of the 18th century mystical poet William Blake, when we plant in the earth a minute black speck that will be transformed, in a few short weeks, into a flowering plant.
This miracle of nature is well illustrated by Papaver rhoeus, the scarlet Flinders poppy, which has the smallest of seeds. Watching the transformation from seed to flower is one of the most satisfying aspects of gardening: an activity that has so many creative facets. Growing one’s own plants from seeds is rather like making a ‘read’ cake, instead of buying a packet mix from the supermarket. You can go to the same supermarket and buy a tray of healthy seedlings, but don’t be surprised if every other garden in your street is displaying the same plants in spring.
Growing from seed does require some care and knowledge. Only recently have I been able to sow seeds with confidence and be fairly sure of the result. One needs to discover when to sow each particular variety, the temperature needed for germination, the depth to plant and the way to avoid dire diseases such as ‘damping off’. Acquiring this information takes a little time and trouble, but it is easily obtained from books, or from the specialist seedsmen from whom you will probably order your seeds. Imagine the satisfaction you will experience when a friend admires a flower in your garden and you are able to say, your green thumb swelling with pride, "Yes, isn’t it lovely? I grew it from a seed."
Seeds, although less expensive than plants, are no longer to be had for a few cents a packet. Like most commodities they have increased in price and the number of seeds per packet has decreased. I find it worthwhile sowing the more expensive seeds individually in Jiffy pots, and then placing over them a plastic cloche or putting them into a small propagator which can be bought quite cheaply. To get the seeds started while it is too cold outside, I put them in a warm room until they germinate and then introduce them to the outside world.
The range of both perennial and annual seeds available from the specialists is wide. Not only can you obtain individual colours instead of mixtures (which often result in a garish clash of colour), but plants can be grown in a range of heights and breadths, making landscaping more effective.
There can be few gardeners who have not at some time been seduced by a nurseryman’s colourful catalogue, or a bright seed packet. But take your fill of the vivid illustrations and purple prose, for when you actually receive the seeds from a specialist supplier such as Specialty Seeds or Diggers Seeds, they will probably come in plain packets. You will need to get your imagination working again, with or without the help of Blake!
Probably the most important reason of all for growing seeds is to continue preserving as many plants as possible. A browse through old gardening books and catalogues will reveal how many have already been lost.
Growing plants from seed is an activity that can be enjoyed by older people and the handicapped as well as by the active gardener. To raise seeds successfully both time and patience are needed, but not a great deal of mobility.
Vita Sackville-West, the English gardener and writer, wrote in ‘The Observer’ in 1950: "The charm of annuals is their light gaiety, as though they must make the most of their brief lives, to be frivolous and pleasure-giving. They must always be youthful, because they have no time to grow old."
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