Peat-Free Compost: Choosing a Blend, Watering and Feeding
Choose peat-free compost for the plant and its purpose. Learn how to check moisture, read feeding instructions and avoid unnecessary extra fertiliser.
Journal
-
Growing strawberries: the complete guide
Quick answer: Growing strawberries takes full sun and well-drained soil at pH 5.8–6.2. Set plants with the crown level at the soil line, 45 cm (18 in) apart in rows 90–120 cm (3–4 ft) apart for June-bearers. Pinch off all flowers the first year, renovate within two weeks of harvest, and mulch with 10–15 cm…
-
Annual Flowers from Seed: A Complete Growing Guide
Quick answer: Most annual flowers germinate best at 65–72°F (18–22°C) and take 5–21 days depending on the species. Hardy annuals like calendula, larkspur and sunflowers can be direct-sown outdoors once the soil has warmed to around 50°F (10°C), while tender annuals such as petunias, lobelia and ageratum need 6–8 weeks indoors before your last frost…
-
How to Grow Carrots: Straight, Sweet Roots Every Time
Quick answer: Grow carrots by sowing seed directly 1–2 cm (1/2–3/4 in) deep into deep, stone-free, free-draining soil once it reaches 7 °C (45 °F), with rows 25–30 cm (10–12 in) apart. Seed takes 10–21 days to emerge, so keep the surface evenly moist. Thin to 4–6 cm (11/2–21/2 in) and cover the bed with…
-
Dividing Perennials: When and How to Do It Right
Quick answer: Divide fall-blooming perennials in spring and spring-blooming perennials in fall, roughly four to six weeks before the ground freezes. Most perennials benefit from division every 3-5 years, once the center thins out or flowering drops off. Dig up the whole clump, split it into sections with at least 3-5 healthy shoots each, and…
-
How to Grow Onions from Sets: A Complete Guide
Quick answer: Plant onion sets once the soil has warmed to around 50°F (10°C), pushing each bulb into loose soil so the tip sits level with the surface, spaced 4–6 in (10–15 cm) apart. Water evenly, stop feeding nitrogen once bulbs start to swell, and harvest when about half the tops have yellowed and flopped…
-
Growing Microgreens on a Windowsill
Quick answer: Most microgreens are ready to harvest 7–21 days after sowing. Sow seed thickly into moist seed compost or a growing mat, keep it dark and damp for 3–5 days until it germinates, then move the tray into bright light and water from below until the first true leaves appear.