Meanwhile, back at the ranch... (part 3)

Seeds grow into plants. It's what they do, it's what they were designed for. But that doesn't change the fact that when they grow, it's a little bit magical. 


In the last few days, the level of growth we've seen under (under Clare's care) has been astounding. Shoots have appeared on all manner of veg, and the speed at which they're reaching for the sky is gratifying - the sooner they grow, the sooner they'll produce veg! 

Tomatoes  

As is clear from the picture, the shoots will eventually have to be thinned out. For the moment, it's just nice to go over and spend a moment gazing at them. The kitchen window is now full of little seed pots. The tomatoes were the first to send forth shoots, but there have been others since, for example cabbage, peas and sugar snaps, as below:

Cabbage

Peas and Sugar Snaps

Clare's also after sowing seed for leeks, and got a tip from an online allotment guide to plant them in an easily transportable (and disposable) tray:

Leeks (yet to germinate)

All the veg planted are used widely in our personal diet - the leeks, for example, are a mainstay of Clare's (delicious) vegetable soup. Thomas loves peas, and loved being able to pop open the pods eat them raw last year. 

There are still more seeds from other veg that have yet to germinate, but I suppose patience is required skill in this business. Eventually (hopefully) it will be rewarded with a great harvest.