I've got seedlings!

[Uller]

OK, so I know just about everyone else grows their own veg and it isn't really that big a deal! But last year, none of my tomato or chilli seeds germinated (first attempt to grow veg), so I took a couple of plants from a friend with a nursery and made do with those. Felt a bit like cheating though and I didn't really feel like I had grown anything.

This year, I read more, planned more, bought all the right gear (not very 'ish' but am hoping it will last me for some time) - and I have 3 cucumber seedlings and 23 tomato seedlings. I've also sown chilli & aubergine and have spring onion, rocket, lettuce, courgette and seed potatoes to go into a raised bed that I am preparing this weekend. Only 2 of us and I'm not sure what I am going to do with 23 tomato plants, but I guess I have to keep them alive first!

Anyway, a little thing really, but I'm really chuffed!

[becks77]

Wow, brilliant, look forward to transplanting, look forward to salads and chutney...yum!

[Annpan]

Well done

23 tomato plants huh.... ketchup, ragu and chutney

[Fizzy Izzy]

Good for you!

It's so exciting to see those seedlings growing... I hope that your tomatoes do well

[Chicken6]

I get excited every year the seedlings appear

[bodrighy]

Two yars ago we went on holiday for a fortnight and when we came back we couldn't get into the greenhouse as the tomatoes had gone ballistic. We hadn't taken any shoots off before we went and we ended up with bowls of tomatoes red and gren in the kitche. They went into just about everything we cooked. Still had loads left for chutney, green & red

Pete

[Rosendula]

OK, so I know just about everyone else grows their own veg and it isn't really that big a deal! ....

You kidding? It's a massive deal. It doesn't matter how many years or even decades you've been sowing seeds, when they first show signs of life your heart leaps and you walk around with a stupid grin on your face for the rest of the day.

Only 2 of us and I'm not sure what I am going to do with 23 tomato plants, but I guess I have to keep them alive first!

Look up the recipes on Red's website. Her roasted tomato sauce is yummy and seems to freeze well. You can also bottle tomatoes, make soups, pasta sauces, ketchups, dips... all sorts. The recipes are endless and because tomatoes work so well with herbs, cheese and other things, it's impossible to get bored of them. Well, that's my opinion anyway.

[Jandra]

Germination = great!

Start saving jars (and have family save jars), hope for blight to stay away and when you harvest your estimated (23x40) tomatoes: can, can, can (YES, you CAN ).

I've just finished my last jar of canned tomatoes, so now it's back to shop-bought...

Good luck, Jandra

[Uller]

Thank you everyone! I've got 9 aubergine seedlings now and I think I can see the beginnings of a chilli.

Really look forward to the tomatoes and the opportunity to preserve some - I got a huge amount from one plant last year and my dad doesn't want to grow any on his allotment, so hopefully I can share some with him to repay him for all the leeks, courgettes, potatoes etc etc that he has given me!

[buggalugs]

Uller thats fantastic WTG you!!!I know I will be the same if mine come up :) Aubergines too now, my goodness Good luck with everything
Jacqui

[MuddyWitch]

Uller,

I've been gardening for over 40 years but I STILL feel wonderful at the sight of my first seedlings each year.

If you don't want to grow on all of your plants, could you swap them? (Where are you?)

MW

[Rosendula]

Two doors up from my house there's a very elderly couple. The bloke used to grow veg, but his failing health is very limiting. However he still grows annual flowers from seed in his greenhouse. Every morning he goes out to open the greenhouse window and have a look at his pots. Every evening he goes out to close the window and have another look at the pots. This morning after he'd had a look, when he came out, I'm sure I could see a slight smile on his face. It's wonderful to see someone still getting pleasure from new life at such a late stage in his own.

[Green Aura]

It's a brilliant feeling!

Still makes me feel wonderful - oncoming spring, getting out gardening, cooking with stuff you've just picked, preserving and making wine from them - and all from those tiny little shoots that are starting to crop up. YAY!!!