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seed sowing. My sowing list includes greenhouse tomatoes, chillies and sweet peppers, plus a few half-hardy bedding varieties – all plants that benefit from early sowing and a long growing season.My plan for the week involves something of a spring clean

sowing.There are seed trays already stacking up in the greenhouse, and the propagator is working overtime. Luckily, there are lots of seeds that positively relish an early start. Perennials, for one: I sowed the Seed Club High-Value Perennials collection

in the south-west. As well as feeding my young family out of our back garden, I squeeze in as many flowers as I can manage. This year I’m itching to sow the mouth-watering selection of flowers, veg, herbs and salads on offer through the Seed Club. The moment

has been the traditional day for many keen show growers to sow their onion seeds, in a heated propagator in the greenhouse (not in the garden, of course). Do onions really have to be sown on Boxing Day, or could this just be an excuse to escape from

folding over the base and sliding the paper off. There are also simple, wooden pot-making kits available to buy.Make batches of differently-sized pots so that you have plenty to hand as the seed-sowing season gets under way, and look for other things

patch, be sure to allow sufficient space for the fully mature crop.Pumpkin seedsSmall potsSeed compostHeated propagator or warm windowsillWell-rotted manure or compostVented bell clochemid-March to mid-June18-22 weeks from sowingSow seeds individually

A greenhouse or polytunnel allows you to grow a wider range of plants, and extends the growing season. Once the structure is in place you'll need to kit it out with a few essential items, listed below.You’ll have more success raising your own seeds

of 18-21°C to germinate, so do consider investing in a heated propagator to maintain a constant temperature through March and April.Good quality seed compostPotsSummer bedding seedsVermiculiteMarch - April10 minutes to sow the seedsJune - September

well watered. A fairly sheltered spot in full or part sun will suit them best. It's a good idea to make several sowings at two or three week intervals, to increase the potential harvesting period.Sugar snap pea seedsGood quality seed compostSmall pots

in half by wind and rain. In the end I had to tie each plant individually to a short cane.I'll use the same contingency plans during 2013, raising plants under cover in line with my Seed Sowing Masterplan. Do you have one? If not prepare it now, including