Seedlings

Here is a nice article about Seedlings

Lifestyle - Huntingdon Today: News, Sport, Jobs, Property, Cars, Entertainments & More: "GARDENING: Seedlings are cost effective
It's great to sow your own plants and watch them mature.
The rewards are high, but so are the costs if you are only growing a few. You have to heat an area much larger than you need just to keep a few young plants.
It's great to sow your own plants and watch them mature.
The rewards are high, but so are the costs if you are only growing a few. You have to heat an area much larger than you need just to keep a few young plants.

Enter the specialist young plant growers. Seedlings can be bought, ready germinated, in a 7cm square pot. About 100 Antirrhinums cost �2.99, and can be picked out into seed trays ready for planting outside later.

A packet of seeds alone may well cost the same amount.
These are some of the best plants to start with early in the season because they are tougher than some other summer-flowering plants. They may even over-winter next year if you are lucky.

Geraniums may be tempting. About 20 plants that fill tubs and flower all summer long cost as little as �2.99. In a couple of months' time, these could cost �1.50 or more each when bought in 9cm pots from a garden centre. Sounds too good to be true? There are a few pitfalls.

Buying plants this early still requires attention to detail. They must be kept light. If they are put in gloomy conditions then they will grow towards the light. A leggy, spindly plant will never be healthy or beautiful.

A common tip is to line a planter box on three sides with tin foil, and place it facing a window. It is best if the window is double glazed, so that cold weather won't affect tender young plants. The idea is that the sides of the box will collect all ava"