Our good friend owned a plant nursery next-door to where I grew up. He generously let me start some seeds in his greenhouse as a 14 year old. I wonder if he ever thought his encouragement and generosity would be such an important step on my path into growing cut flowers? Later on, I added some formal skills from a horticulture course at the Lincoln-based Organic Training Centre's Biological Husbandry Unit, and now I'm a flower farmer!
Although it helps, you don’t need a greenhouse! I will provide you with some basic equipment to get started sowing seeds in autumn (and even winter!). Seed collecting and seed sowing are ESSENTIAL skills for keeping down the cost of gardening and keeping the ‘Gardener’s Code’ alive so you can share seeds and plants around to other gardeners. Plus, it’s all pretty wonderous how the blueprint for life is held in such tiny vessels!
In this very practical workshop you will:
Gather some seed at my leased Flower Farm (in Yaldhurst, Christchurch)
Learn about identifying the seeds on different cut flower plants – what stage they are ready to collect – how to dry and store them – when and how to plant them.
Learn the answers to questions you may not have even had… “Will the seed from this plant produce flowers the same colour and shape as the plant I’m collecting them from? (Is it-true-to-type)” “Does this seed need light/dark/warmth/cold to germinate?” “Is this plant a hardy annual/ tender annual/biennial or perennial?”
Sow some seeds – prick out some seeds – identify some volunteer seedlings on the farm.
Learn how to do germination testing.
Raid my seed collection!
Take home a chart with seed saving and sowing information for a wide variety of cut flower plants.
Take home all the equipment you need to keep your seeds growing - to later be enjoyed in your garden or given to friends.
Meet some other beginner or seasoned plant people.
Have some scrummy refreshments.
Notes:
*Suitable for those with reasonable mobility, or bring a support person as there is walking and bending involved to access the plants.
*The toilet facilities are very basic (portable camp toilet in a dry shed). There is a service station with amenities close by though!
Two dates available - choose preferred option from the drop down menu under 'date'.
Saturday 18th March 1.00pm to 4.00pm
Tuesday 21st March 10.30am to 1.30pm
