Before retiring in 2016 I spent 44 years in professional horticulture following training at Pershore College of Horticulture, at the time recognised as the best in the country. I feel I know a thing or two about growing plants along with many other aspects of horticulture.
I've had an allotment for 35+ years but did not give it sufficient attention for many years prior to my retirement. The first spring of retirement was to correct this in many ways, new raised beds, significant soil enrichment, new paths, 800 litres of water storage, protection for young crops etc. I now have a highly productive piece of land. This year I decided to grow more young plant material from seed including many standard vegetables such as leeks, runner beans, lettuce, Cavolo Nero, peas etc. and a number of annuals, admittedly tricky ones, such as Verbena bonariensis, Cosmos sulphureus, Cosmos xanthos and Black Eyed Suzie. On the vegetable side I have previously germinated and grown these types successfully.
Germination has been appalling with the exception of Cavolo Nero. Even the beans have required a second sowing just to get the numbers I need! In some instances I have less than 5 (five) seedings from a packet. I have three thoughts in mind:
- Are other gardeners having difficulty with germination in 2019? In which case it may be the season?
- All of the seed came from Kings seeds, chosen for no reason other than our local retail nursery stocks these. Is this typical of their quality?
- Do others have seed companies they have found especially successful?
Others experience would be very welcome as I don't believe this is bad luck, inexperience or incompetence.
