Because I wanted to save money, get a head start on growing and because without a car it’s very hard to get to a garden centre for nursery-grown plants—besides hauling them home on two buses, I bought seeds, windowsill trays and seed starting compost to grow my own. English houses have large windows, deep windowsills and radiators that span the width of the window—perfect for seed incubation.  After the appointed amount of time—usually 7-14 days, up the seeds sprouted.  I misted and turned the trays twice a day—at least. Flowers of all sorts, and vegetables.  I’ve always loved watching things grow. Lovely.

But then I was away for three days and my husband dutifully misted and turned them—mostly.  But he’s not a plantsman and many of them withered.

I also bought a poly-vinyl covered greenhouse to shelter the remaining seedlings when the temperatures were no longer near freezing. I waited properly and set each tray on a shelf, zipping the door against cool night air.  Oops! I forgot that the sun could cook them through the vinyl.

I planted the few that didn’t fry, in my big pots so they wouldn’t dry out so fast.  Alas, the sun bleached them. What’s left of my seedlings may flourish yet but I’ve begun to realise what the Bible says, “The worker is worthy of his hire,” is true for plant growers as well. No wonder nursery plants cost so much! It takes a lot of skill and just right conditions to grow plants indoors—or out (though I’ve been gardening for years).  I’ve run out of time to start again since our growing season in Yorkshire isn’t very long so my husband and I finally made an all-day trek to a garden centre in a not too distant village—or is it a town, I’m never quite sure here, and bought some lovely bigger plants.  Here are contrasting photos of my Money Maker tomato seedling and my new Golden Sunrise nursery grown plant—it even has a flower! (An edible calendula/pot marigold behind it–this did well from seed and flowered all winter)