I don’t usually do this, sir, but you are, what I believe to be, an “angel” of a human. I wish more people would not let themselves get distracted and mesmerized by technology and high tech tools and methods. As you have said many times, it’s not too complicated. We don’t have to reinvent the wheel! I’m 26, and I just started my 1st garden/farm project. I have been following you since the 1st time I had the idea of gardening 3 years ago, and now, after all your beautiful videos and thoughts, I feel like I cannot fail, even if sometimes I will.
Yep..I've managed to hold off on all the frost tender.. even though 2 old boys put out pumpkin seeds under pots out on the lottie this week!! I won't sow them for another 6 days here in s London looking at forecast and sweetcorn and melon probably Monday. As we're 3 weeks behind it's really 1st week of April and our autumns seem to go on for longer nowadays....
I love spending a Friday evening with a man who is in tune with nature, is patient, is generous and full in their heart. Thank you Charles. (I won’t tell my husband 😉)
I absolutely love the constant evolution and improvement of these videos both in production and content. I can’t tell you enough how much I’ve learned over the years and how amazing it feels to be able to pull off this kind of magic now. 😍
Charles, you couldn't be more right about the whole "feel like you're missing the boat by sowing late" thing. I have a gardening friend who seems like her point in life is to tell me I need to hurry up. This year, we got a late frost, and my "tardiness" actually saved me from disaster. Now I've got you to back me up too. Now, if you don't mind...I'll go sow my leeks too. hahaha
Like thousands of others, I have thoroughly enjoyed your videos over the years and learned so much. I have to say I watch them (as I suspect many people do) in part because your relaxed approach and gentle demeanour helps me de-stress and focus more on what matters in life. This is UA-cam at its very best. Thank you very much, Rob.
Thank you Charles again you have a way with these videos that is informative but also so laid back and encouraging. I have solved the mystery: Professor green thumb did it! In the conservatory, with the garden trowel. 😂
Want to say (apart from the photography, the wisdom, generosity and inspiration) I really appreciate that you have proper subtitles. I don't know when they changed but a while back I could not recommend your channel to Deaf friends... and now I can!
I had to laugh when you said people worry about watering from above. Its funny how us beginners are so out of touch with how nature works. Thank you for freeing us from that bit of worry. LOL.
Think i planted my Toms too soon lol, have a terraced house in the uk, small garden done with the no dig method, after the last year and working in a hospital (Domestic) and the wifes breast cancer, watching Charles and his garden is good therapy, thanks Charles and Co
I am so happy to help, in your challenging situation. I hope that somehow your tomato plants will pull through, and if they do it will be a little bit miraculous because of the crazily cold weather.
Greetings from Poland:) It's been the first warm day today so my 86 tiny tomatoes have spent their day in the polytunnel but they had to come back home for the night two hours ago. Thank you so much for all videos. I wish you a fantastic and successful season. Lots of people in Poland DO love you!!!
I've been looking forward to a summer sowings video! As I'm in Barcelona I'm about 2 months ahead climate wise so I've already planted out my tomatoes, courgettes, etc and taken out my broad beans that were incredible! Had my first harvest of 1st early potatoes too!
This year I sow everything with your calendar 🙂 So far so good, didn't kill single plant. Didn't start toms and cucumbers in January 🙂🙂/like other people smarter than gardener with huge experience/ Thank you,Charles for another great video 🙂🙂
Bought compost anomalies are maddening, so you sharing your own experience eases our frustration. Well, mine at least. I love reading the comments here too. A lot can be learned from those who share their experience, and your kind replies to those who seek advice.
G'day Charles. Everything is explained so well and easy to understand. It's always a pleasure to watch your videos. Thanks very much for another excellent video. Regards, Daz.
Thanks Charles. Your knowledge is invaluable and it’s inspiring to see someone so skilled sharing so freely. We’re half a year behind in New Zealand. It give me six months to let your ideas sink in before it’s time to put it into practice.
I’m a retired teacher living in Colorado, USA, and I know a smart person, Charles, when I see one. I enjoy your videos so much because even though I’ve been a gardener for many years, I always learn something new from your videos. Thank you for sharing your experience with us. Fantastic!! 🌷
Planted my brassica seedlings a few weeks ago out on the understanding they were hardy - however, I think they were scorched by the sun rather than frost. I don't think I hardened them off sufficiently?. I subsequently moved all seedlings outside the other day (was sunny but blowy) to harden them off only for the cold wind to whip and scorch them. I have resown emergency seeds and surprised at how fast they have germinated compared to earlier in the year. You live and learn. Always good to watch Charles - a voice of calm in a mad world!
Thank you and I'm sorry to hear this but as you say, one learns all the time. I think the problem you had was frosts with fleece touching leaves. I had never seen that happen myself so badly, but have found that my plants recovered and look alright now, just smaller than I had hoped!
@@CharlesDowding1nodig How kind of you to reply Charles! Yes, they were under fleece with leaves touching - that could be it. As you mentioned in your video - I'm starting to run out of space in the conservatory!
"You can be afraid to be miss the boat" YES that is very much the feeling!! I made that mistake by sewing too early, putting out every day my seedlings and bringing them back in every evening... they were growing well and lookin beautiful until... I forgot them outside one night. Lost around 70 young plants. I was so angry at myself and sad too, and I was persuaded it was to late now but thanks to you I'll give it another go straight away! Thank you, love your videos and the calm atmosphere you've got there, bye from France.
True about compost quality. I used multipurpose B&Q verve for at least 3 years and it was really good. But this year I have been hearing in Facebook that it's no good. Yeah, last week I went shopping for woodchips and saw from a from a split bag what that people were talking about. I bought a different brand and it was somehow cheaper 🤷♀️ and it was of decent quality 👍 I'm waiting for my hotbin to start making my own compost. Great video 👍 Take care 🙂
@@CharlesDowding1nodig I think compost is a bit of a problem this year. Not sure what's going on. If you are struggling to grow healthy seedlings that is definitely saying something.
I am addicted to sowing but have held off from sowing really early . However my toms and peppers are now planted out in my poly and Ive got away with it......so far! The garden where I volunteer has really over done it I think, toms, peppers curcubits sown way to early and now vastly overcrowding the heated propagator. I have other stuff to sow which will go in later this month...I love it! Rock on Charles. Paul
I presoak sweet corn seeds for 24 hrs, then leave them in a sprouting glass for a couple days and sow the sprouting seed. It worked wonders last year. They grew incredibly fast and well. :)
I've got 3 cherry tomato plants coming up voluntary. I had planted some brassicas, radishes, peas, and beets, carrots, and bunching onions in that bed the end of March direct sowed to see how they would do but actually they did just fine. They are far enough apart, I'll probably leave them or I guess I could put them in pots so I can put them where I want them. I got my seeds from MIgardener and Dollar Tree. I had to cover with plastic 2 nights as we got snow and frost warnings April 21 and 22.
I am growing leeks for the first time this year thanks to Charles! Never even tasted them before, but Charles always seems to enjoy them. I didn't realize how hardy they are with transplanting.
Almost half a million subscribers Charles, there is inspiration in that!! Learning so much from you. Thank you for your willingness to share your knowledge and calm and authenticity so freely.
I have definitely sown way too soon! :-) But here in Belgium I feel that Autumn somehow arrives sooner than in GB, like July and August are literally canicular but then September gets rain and cold mornings so the tomatoes and cucurbitaceae get sick very easily... So I try to give them a headstart so I can make the most of the dry season... We'll see what the results will be! :-)
Brilliant video as always, thank you! My first year I planted French marigolds with tomatoes but last was my second year and I planted basil with tomatoes last year and they seemed to enjoy each others company 😊
Don't sow too early! Wise advice. I was given a Christmas present of a propogator with grow lights. Naturally, I couldn't wait to sow, so now I have cucumbers flowering in April!!! Back to the drawing board.
because of your video I have just sown chard for us. It's the first time that I try growing chard and I'm excited to see how it will work. thanks for the great tips and all the best for you and your family.
Another very informative video from you Charles, I’m sure we all learn something from them and use them to our advantage ! They help our growing improve to great standards! For bumper harvests! 👍
Beautifully done! Great info and really well produced. Whenever I see a notification for one of your videos I resist the urge to just watch it on the fly, instead I wait for a quiet moment, make a cup of tea and take it all in 🌱 ☕️☺️
Thank you Charles for sharing your experiences growing. I so appreciate listening and watching you work. Have been a backyard gardener (California) for many years; but this was my first year growing some plants from seed. Have had a few failures, but the successes make me forget the failures. I'm not afraid of growing from seed now. I will just carry on, as I've heard the British say in the movies that I love. Thank you again!
Great to see you again Charles. Such an important topic for all of us to take in. I think we get so eager for the season to start. Canadian weather is a bit like a yo-yo in the spring and people forget those little frosty nights that sneak up on us. The only "happy little accident" on my end is, I assumed many of my old seed from some heritage tomatoes that I have hung onto for years would have poor germination. So of course I sowed them all, HAHA. Now I have hundreds of plants to give away to anyone who will have them. I can only grow about 100 around my property so I think many people will walk away very happy. XD Here I am about 3-4 weeks away from last frost and I too find this a timely video. I was just thinking about starting the next round. Happy sowing and growing everyone!
Lovely video. I sow tomatoes here in February, but of course that has nothing to do with my abilities, just the weather. I've seen others who should know better completely misinterpret "last frost date". It's an average. Charles understands it. To others, I suggest internet searching a little on basic probability. E.g. my "last frost date" ended a couple of weeks ago .... then a few days ago we had a frost. Is that a reason for a big fuss? No, not 5% of the time 😉 (in my case). P.S. I hope Edward gets well-rewarded for his skills; he's grown and is quite clever.
All my seeds have sprouted but one, the celery! Now I know the reason, they need light and I covered them with too much soil. Thanks for another great video, you are an excellent teacher 🙂
Hi Charles. Last year here in Squamish, BC, Canada - we had a colder April. But this year, 2nd week of April - I already transplanted my lettuces, kale, beets, swiss chards, onions, leeks, spring onions, peas, spinach and basil. Its risky for frost but its a good risk because i have been enjoying baby leafs of lettuces, swiss chard, kale and beets...
I left my spring onions in the bed over winter (in polytunnel) and now I have tons of flowering heads / seeds. I sowed a few straight off the plant and to my amazement the have sprouted.
Another great informative video Charles. Thank you so much. I started to sow some seeds too early and regret it. The dining room table in the bay window is now full with seed trays. Hope none of my family want feeding for the next few weeks.
Watching your videos is always a pleasure) I'm always like 'ah well, my seedlings look almost the same as Charles's, so seems that I'm doing it right')) I now only have a balcony (no yard or garden), thus very limited in space, yet I'm growing lettuce, rocket, purslane, peas, basil, coriander, rosemary, sage and other herbs, tomatoes, peppers, cukes, beans and a bit of flowers of course. Greetings from St. Petersburg, Russia)
A dilemma with peppers and the forecast is it's going to be a little cold, mid to low 40's at night for a few days, putting it a week late when the day temps are going to be in the high 70's for an extended time. The peppers are going to need some time for hardening off with light levels before the hot days arrive, but cold temps are extremely bad for them. The winds will be moderate and a little high, up to 20mph, which can strip the plants dry or shred them against supports. There's also intermittent rain forecast that shouldn't be torrential. At least the areas for the peppers are already set up, so we can spend our efforts on building windbreaks and sun shields for them.
Has anyone ever considered that learning from Charles & daily 'having a go' at growing fruit 'n' veg 'n' salads, is probably one of the best ways to de-stress, get away from the pressures & expectations of 'modern life' & self-help in a very natural way. A little gentle exercise required & a lot of care, attention & nurturing. Improving mental health; far better than tablets. You're a little treasure Charlie boy - lol. Charles, could you consider asking the company (Containerwise?) that moulds your own design of seed modules to make Smaller Versions please. I'm not a market gardener or small-holder, so sowing seeds for one person doesn't require 60x cells. Variety not quantity, better suits a sustainable, self-sufficient lifestyle objective. 12x or 18x cell modules would be ideal, & maybe with the optional extra of having a clear plastic high dome cover, to keep the warmth & humidity within. Multi-variety sowing proves difficult in 60x cell modules, when different seeds germinate & grow-on at very different rates & requiring different & separate growing conditions. Best regards to all, from a sunny, but still frosty Colchester. JohnnyK.
I use a jigsaw to cut my 72 cell and 128 cell plug trays into smaller pieces. That way I have assorted individual trays with 10-20 cells each. I put them on capillary mats in 1020 trays with domes to retain moisture and evenly hold the warmth from heat mats if required. Each small tray has just one type of plant, much easier to manage as they grow.
@@tetonvalley7535 Hi & thank you for your reply & comment. I'd already thought of cutting a large x60 cell tray into smaller sections, but the cut edges would probably be structurally weaker & not be the nicely rounded off / moulded edge form. It's clear from your actions that there is a demand for fewer cell modules. I rather like the design of Charles', as the hole underneath is finger sized @ 14mm (I've got my fingers stuck many times within the holes trying to push-out the plugs - lol). I also like that the cells have greater taper, thus discouraging the plugs to stick firm within. Additionally his design is better made & the materials to last much longer. Regards, JohnnyK.
Thanks Johnny for your nice words. Keep it quiet but we are working on smaller trays! Releasing late summer I hope. Also I tried cutting with a hacksaw and it did a fair job! Got 5, 12 hole trays
@@johnkay4701 I keep the outside edges on as many of the pieces as possible so they end up with quite a bit of integrity, and an ultra fine-toothed blade on my electric jigsaw creates a surprisingly smooth cut. I also use a gumdrop-shaped grinding stone made for a Dremel tool to enlarge the drainage holes, a perfectly sized dowel pops the starts right out, albeit one at a time. Finally I add air pruning slits (akin to Winstrip trays) with a Dremel cutting bit in the larger cells, 72 and 32 per 1020. Just a bit (!) of extra work but I have had great results and have some that are five years old and still going strong. Nice to hear Charles has already been working on this! Happy Gardening and c’mon City!
I am in Taos, NM and my one brother is in Medina, OH and we compare weather notes almost daily. Yeah seems like the cold will just not go away this year!
Hello, Charles. I live on Vancouver Island, British Columbia, Canada, and I've often referred new gardeners to your videos. Not only do you give REALLY good tips and advice, but your climate is very similar to our own. Thank you
Thanks for your great videos. You have influenced my garden practices so much, more than any other gardening guru. My gardening conversations are often laced with "according to Charles Dowding........." 😁
wonderful video as usual Charles, but i cant help but think you should do one just on tomatoes? maybe you have and the search didnt bring it up but like a growing guide to tomatoes like you have on some other veggies would be great because i think 80%+ of gardeners always grow tomatoes, sow times, planting out times all that good stuff i think would be a great video to add to your arsenal. thanks again though thoroughly enjoyed this one. 🙂
So inspiring Charles Dowding! I don’t have a greenhouse here in San Diego ,CA can you please share your knowledge on how to grow seeds in the absence of a greenhouse? My eggplant seeds got eaten by bugs the other day. Thank you so much Charles!
Oh dear that is a pity! Any kind of do it yourself structure could serve, with reasonable light level. For a large garden it would be worth investing in something quite permanent but, from here, it's hard to advise what you might create or buy
Charles you are another of my favourite gardeners. It's so good of you to share your knowledge. This year I planted most things a lot later than my previous years and everything is looking really healthy.
Thank you Charles for another video.It has been interesting to learn how compost varies so much. You also explain everything so well .I haven't yet been confident enough to sow seed into my home made compost.I will have to try this now .
Hi Charles, I was just thinking about you and hope you are enjoying your Spring. 🌿💚🌿 Greetings from Windermere, Florida zone 9b We are already putting on the AC and harvesting lettuce and tender greens for a few months. Happy Gardening 🌿👩🌾🌿
I'm about 2 weeks ahead of you.My tomatoe, cucumber and pepper plants are about 10-12cm tall but i'm making a green house and the plants will go inside next week.It's a made up green house with wooden frame and polythene but it will de double walled ,so an airgap will be left to help with isolation.It should keep good temperature and hopefully my plants will do very well this year. Great Video and very good explanation.
Hi Charles. This has been such a helpful video! Being able to watch the step-by-step approach helps with the education. Even as a gardener (albeut beginner level 1 junior apprentice), I'm learning how to take my time, relax and let nature take its course, which the video reinforces that process, especially when there is a temptation to rush-rush, hurry-hurry. Thanks a million! PS, the radicchio/chicory mix seedlings are poking through after 4-days on the east and south facing windowsills :-)
Yes! I’ve definitely learnt that a cold spring means early down plants/seedlings stay longer and grow way too big on my window sills! My tomatoes and squashes are so big... I mean... I have flowers on my marmande tomatoes ! 😂 But but but! As I don’t have a greenhouse I was thinking they needed to be started earlier because they are going to be grown outside.... any thoughts on that peeps? It’s my last year of sowing early I promise! 🤣 I’ve started to put mine outside when it’s a warm day (not necessarily in direct sun, they wilted fast!) to slow the growth down of my window sill jungle! Bringing them in at night... I love doing that, it’s like bringing in your babies to keep them all safe and healthy... they’re like... thanks mum... 💖
Nice care! I start tomatoes for outdoor planting later, because I do not have space undercover for them growing too enormous. There are so many factors in play 😀
Thanks for a great video, I had one light bulb moment from one small comment you made; "celeriac need light to germinate", that explains this years failure so far, thanks again.
Held to your advise about not sowing to early. Last year I sowed way too early although it feels like I'm being lazy and late I have kept to the schedule using my last frost date. So wanting to get more going but it's not time yet. Thanks again for the encouragement.
Thank you Charles, I had gotten so worried that I was too late seeing my tomatoes at the end of April. But after watching you I feel far not relaxed about it! Time to get the cucumber and courgette going
I have learned so much from you since December when I found your channel! This is my first year with a big garden and so far it’s going well! I’m following your instructions to a T. Thanks for your great teaching!
I plant my tomato in the first week of April for six weeks growth before the 15th of May which is the last of the Eisheiligen or 'Ice Saints' in this area of Germany. This year I have Sungold, Ailsa Craig, Sweet Million, Crimson Crush and for the first time Crimson Cocktail. Some of my self seeded Ailsa Craig are now rampant, already twelve inches high whereas others, notably the Crimson Cocktail are barely an inch high, both planted in the same potting mix, in the same six inch pots and left on the same sunny window sill in an unheated room (I don't see the sense in planting Tomato on, two in a six inch pot and choose the strongest of the two, if there are two weak plants in the pot then you can replace them with a stronger plant from another pot). The variance this year is something I have never witnessed in twenty years of growing tomato, to be honest I don't know if I have a freak batch of weak plants from some cultivars, something tells me it's going to be an interesting season this year!
Hi Charles and 'crew'. Great video. Thanks. I'm definitely not guilty of sowing too early. This video was very timely as otherwise I might have 'overcompensated' for my super late start with the cold tolerant plants by sowing others too early. Dipping into course 3 at the moment and seeing what I can get away with playing catch-up on.You've convinced me to try to find room for cabbage in the form of Duncan F1 and going to try out Kaibroc. Also will try out some container growing of these and others. Grew Calinaro last year and it was amazing to eat but even the two we grew were more than we had room for. :-)
My tomato and pepper seedlings have just sprouted and starting to grow, and will be ready to transplant after our last frost date in mid-May. The instructions always say to start the seeds 6 to 8 weeks before the last frost date, but they grow much too fast for that long a growing period before transplanting. I always plant the seeds in trays 4 weeks before the last frost date, and they are strong an ready to transplant by the last frost date.
Charles Sir, I’ve been following you for a long time. I moved from Pennsylvania to Arizona (America) just over 3 years ago. I’m so amazed that I planted 6 Swiss char into very large pots. The pots were placed under my peach and promagrant tree for some protection from the intense sun. I never moved the pots, give a spray of water a few times a week and after 3 years I’m ver proud to say I’m still tearing off leaves for side salad everyday. I have never heard you speak about one plant going on this long? I really expected it to die off in the winter. Of course it does slow down in development but the plant is growing like crazy. I should send you pictures. Please advise if possible.
Two years in a row I am too eager to transplant my tomatoes and peppers too early. This year particularly, it was snowing 2 inches after the last frost date. Next year I will give myself less work and more success just simply not starting them so early. Probably not ideal for your case, but in my garden, I'm seeing lettuce and cilantro do a good job self sowing themselves, as well as chives and parsley. So I'll give myself less work by simply letting more of them go to flower and not pull them.
Nice work. You are right that self seeding is not my ideal because although it sounds easy, you end up with seeds popping up all over the place even where you don't want them sometimes! Then you need to spend time separating them out et cetera. It works but it's not necessarily less work!
Love your videos and I respect and appreciate your knowledge about gardening - especially those many trials you run. On overhead watering of seedlings ... I've been rather fanatical about using only bottom-watering my seedlings but after watching your approach, I trust that I can carefully top water. That's going to save me a lot of time and effort for my more developed seedlings. Thanks for that.
Thank you @CharlesDowding I’m going to start sowing again on Saturday and I’m happy to know it’s a good time to start leeks. I’ve got onions in but I would love to grow leeks. I need to review your calendar for May! We’re almost there. 🌻
I don’t usually do this, sir, but you are, what I believe to be, an “angel” of a human. I wish more people would not let themselves get distracted and mesmerized by technology and high tech tools and methods. As you have said many times, it’s not too complicated. We don’t have to reinvent the wheel! I’m 26, and I just started my 1st garden/farm project. I have been following you since the 1st time I had the idea of gardening 3 years ago, and now, after all your beautiful videos and thoughts, I feel like I cannot fail, even if sometimes I will.
How lovely to read this Christos. I feel blessed to connect with and help people like yourself, and wish you well.
Newbie, you are learning from the best....I have watched hundreds of other "gardeners" videos and Mr. Dowding is untouchable
W
Agreed!
Watching Charles water seedlings is far more fulfilling and nourishing to my soul than any self help book or Hallmark movie.
It is, right? So weird. But so awesome.
Amazing!! Shall ponder that while watering 😀
@@CharlesDowding1nodig peace and love, Charles.
I feel the same, I love his videos.
We need Charles Dowding fan tee shirts !!!
Lesson learnt from this video is that I've planted everything too soon!
Same here!
same here 2
me too...😫
Yep..I've managed to hold off on all the frost tender.. even though 2 old boys put out pumpkin seeds under pots out on the lottie this week!! I won't sow them for another 6 days here in s London looking at forecast and sweetcorn and melon probably Monday. As we're 3 weeks behind it's really 1st week of April and our autumns seem to go on for longer nowadays....
Yeah when i got snow on my potatos I realise this too
I love spending a Friday evening with a man who is in tune with nature, is patient, is generous and full in their heart. Thank you Charles. (I won’t tell my husband 😉)
Cute 😀
I absolutely love the constant evolution and improvement of these videos both in production and content. I can’t tell you enough how much I’ve learned over the years and how amazing it feels to be able to pull off this kind of magic now. 😍
Great to hear!
Completely agree, great stuff!
Charles, you couldn't be more right about the whole "feel like you're missing the boat by sowing late" thing. I have a gardening friend who seems like her point in life is to tell me I need to hurry up. This year, we got a late frost, and my "tardiness" actually saved me from disaster. Now I've got you to back me up too. Now, if you don't mind...I'll go sow my leeks too. hahaha
Well done Arnie!
I relate to this a little too much 🤣. Thanks
Like thousands of others, I have thoroughly enjoyed your videos over the years and learned so much. I have to say I watch them (as I suspect many people do) in part because your relaxed approach and gentle demeanour helps me de-stress and focus more on what matters in life. This is UA-cam at its very best. Thank you very much, Rob.
That is kind of you. Cheers Rob.
CD's voice is the YT version of a splendid cup of chamomile tea. Thank you Charles!!
💚
He needs to get crackin' with book narations!
Very well said! 👏👏👏☕
Thank you Charles again you have a way with these videos that is informative but also so laid back and encouraging. I have solved the mystery:
Professor green thumb did it! In the conservatory, with the garden trowel. 😂
Clued!! 😀 was dibber though
Want to say (apart from the photography, the wisdom, generosity and inspiration) I really appreciate that you have proper subtitles. I don't know when they changed but a while back I could not recommend your channel to Deaf friends... and now I can!
We buy them, and it's quite an investment but feels worthwhile, so it's lovely to have feedback like this!
Elegant,understated,and knowledgeable as always.
Much appreciated Mick
I had to laugh when you said people worry about watering from above. Its funny how us beginners are so out of touch with how nature works. Thank you for freeing us from that bit of worry. LOL.
Glad it was helpful, and there are many people who try to confuse things so be careful what you could believe and question everything 🌱
Think i planted my Toms too soon lol, have a terraced house in the uk, small garden done with the no dig method, after the last year and working in a hospital (Domestic) and the wifes breast cancer, watching Charles and his garden is good therapy, thanks Charles and Co
I am so happy to help, in your challenging situation. I hope that somehow your tomato plants will pull through, and if they do it will be a little bit miraculous because of the crazily cold weather.
His videos are as lovely as the weather 😌🎉
Greetings from Poland:) It's been the first warm day today so my 86 tiny tomatoes have spent their day in the polytunnel but they had to come back home for the night two hours ago. Thank you so much for all videos. I wish you a fantastic and successful season. Lots of people in Poland DO love you!!!
Oh wow! Nice to hear, hope your tomatoes grow well
I've been looking forward to a summer sowings video! As I'm in Barcelona I'm about 2 months ahead climate wise so I've already planted out my tomatoes, courgettes, etc and taken out my broad beans that were incredible! Had my first harvest of 1st early potatoes too!
Sounds great!
This year I sow everything with your calendar 🙂
So far so good, didn't kill single plant. Didn't start toms and cucumbers in January 🙂🙂/like other people smarter than gardener with huge experience/
Thank you,Charles for another great video 🙂🙂
Bravo Ula 🍅
19 minutes of sanity in a 'going crazier every day' World.
Bought compost anomalies are maddening, so you sharing your own experience eases our frustration. Well, mine at least.
I love reading the comments here too. A lot can be learned from those who share their experience, and your kind replies to those who seek advice.
Thanks Amanda, best of luck!!
G'day Charles.
Everything is explained so well and easy to understand. It's always a pleasure to watch your videos.
Thanks very much for another excellent video.
Regards,
Daz.
Wow 😲! Must planting vegetables...
Thanks Charles. Your knowledge is invaluable and it’s inspiring to see someone so skilled sharing so freely.
We’re half a year behind in New Zealand. It give me six months to let your ideas sink in before it’s time to put it into practice.
I’m a retired teacher living in Colorado, USA, and I know a smart person, Charles, when I see one. I enjoy your videos so much because even though I’ve been a gardener for many years, I always learn something new from your videos. Thank you for sharing your experience with us. Fantastic!! 🌷
That is awesome Carolyn!
Planted my brassica seedlings a few weeks ago out on the understanding they were hardy - however, I think they were scorched by the sun rather than frost. I don't think I hardened them off sufficiently?. I subsequently moved all seedlings outside the other day (was sunny but blowy) to harden them off only for the cold wind to whip and scorch them. I have resown emergency seeds and surprised at how fast they have germinated compared to earlier in the year. You live and learn. Always good to watch Charles - a voice of calm in a mad world!
Thank you and I'm sorry to hear this but as you say, one learns all the time. I think the problem you had was frosts with fleece touching leaves. I had never seen that happen myself so badly, but have found that my plants recovered and look alright now, just smaller than I had hoped!
@@CharlesDowding1nodig How kind of you to reply Charles! Yes, they were under fleece with leaves touching - that could be it. As you mentioned in your video - I'm starting to run out of space in the conservatory!
"You can be afraid to be miss the boat" YES that is very much the feeling!! I made that mistake by sewing too early, putting out every day my seedlings and bringing them back in every evening... they were growing well and lookin beautiful until... I forgot them outside one night. Lost around 70 young plants. I was so angry at myself and sad too, and I was persuaded it was to late now but thanks to you I'll give it another go straight away! Thank you, love your videos and the calm atmosphere you've got there, bye from France.
Merci et je te souhaite le succes, deuxieme fois
Your voice is so soothing. I can hear your talk all day long !! ❤️
The magical show begins with the seeds.
Ya me enamore Charles...admiro a los hombres constructores y los productores de alimentos como tu...con todo respeto a la señora Dowding 😊🥰
🥬!
True about compost quality. I used multipurpose B&Q verve for at least 3 years and it was really good. But this year I have been hearing in Facebook that it's no good. Yeah, last week I went shopping for woodchips and saw from a from a split bag what that people were talking about. I bought a different brand and it was somehow cheaper 🤷♀️ and it was of decent quality 👍 I'm waiting for my hotbin to start making my own compost.
Great video 👍 Take care 🙂
Thanks for sharing Susan
@@CharlesDowding1nodig I think compost is a bit of a problem this year. Not sure what's going on. If you are struggling to grow healthy seedlings that is definitely saying something.
(almost) happy to hear that even Charles has his hits and misses with bought comoost!
Thank u Charles....always great advice and wonderful to watch the master at work!
I am addicted to sowing but have held off from sowing really early . However my toms and peppers are now planted out in my poly and Ive got away with it......so far! The garden where I volunteer has really over done it I think, toms, peppers curcubits sown way to early and now vastly overcrowding the heated propagator. I have other stuff to sow which will go in later this month...I love it! Rock on Charles. Paul
I presoak sweet corn seeds for 24 hrs, then leave them in a sprouting glass for a couple days and sow the sprouting seed. It worked wonders last year. They grew incredibly fast and well. :)
Great tip!
I've got 3 cherry tomato plants coming up voluntary. I had planted some brassicas, radishes, peas, and beets, carrots, and bunching onions in that bed the end of March direct sowed to see how they would do but actually they did just fine. They are far enough apart, I'll probably leave them or I guess I could put them in pots so I can put them where I want them. I got my seeds from MIgardener and Dollar Tree. I had to cover with plastic 2 nights as we got snow and frost warnings April 21 and 22.
I am growing leeks for the first time this year thanks to Charles! Never even tasted them before, but Charles always seems to enjoy them. I didn't realize how hardy they are with transplanting.
Good luck!
Almost half a million subscribers Charles, there is inspiration in that!! Learning so much from you. Thank you for your willingness to share your knowledge and calm and authenticity so freely.
Thanks a million!!
Use my airing cupboard for germination - watch multi hours a day and as soon as they sprout - the sun! Thanks again for a great vid.
These videos are like movies for me. Always waiting to watch more. I'm sure it's true with others as well. Thanks for the wonderful collection
Glad you like them Deepesh
I have definitely sown way too soon! :-) But here in Belgium I feel that Autumn somehow arrives sooner than in GB, like July and August are literally canicular but then September gets rain and cold mornings so the tomatoes and cucurbitaceae get sick very easily... So I try to give them a headstart so I can make the most of the dry season...
We'll see what the results will be! :-)
Fingers crossed!
Brilliant video as always, thank you! My first year I planted French marigolds with tomatoes but last was my second year and I planted basil with tomatoes last year and they seemed to enjoy each others company 😊
Lovely options Jenny!
Thank you Charles, I didn't know that seeds don't need light to germinate!
Well most don't. There are actually a few, rare exceptions but generally they just need warmth and some moisture. 👍
Hello from Whidbey island. I really like your videos and always learn something new to help me on my gardening venture. Thank you.
Don't sow too early! Wise advice. I was given a Christmas present of a propogator with grow lights. Naturally, I couldn't wait to sow, so now I have cucumbers flowering in April!!! Back to the drawing board.
because of your video I have just sown chard for us. It's the first time that I try growing chard and I'm excited to see how it will work. thanks for the great tips and all the best for you and your family.
You are so welcome!
Another very informative video from you Charles, I’m sure we all learn something from them and use them to our advantage ! They help our growing improve to great standards! For bumper harvests! 👍
You are very welcome David
Aside from the excellent presentation and info, the photography & video production is superb
Thanks a lot and Edward is your man
"The only thing Charles is missing is a video on heat loving plants at the seedling stage". Haha great video to see.
Yes! Thank you!
Beautifully done! Great info and really well produced. Whenever I see a notification for one of your videos I resist the urge to just watch it on the fly, instead I wait for a quiet moment, make a cup of tea and take it all in 🌱 ☕️☺️
Thank you Charles for sharing your experiences growing. I so appreciate listening and watching you work. Have been a backyard gardener (California) for many years; but this was my first year growing some plants from seed. Have had a few failures, but the successes make me forget the failures. I'm not afraid of growing from seed now. I will just carry on, as I've heard the British say in the movies that I love. Thank you again!
Thanks for sharing, great to hear 😀
His sowing videos are always some of my favorite!
Great to see you again Charles. Such an important topic for all of us to take in. I think we get so eager for the season to start. Canadian weather is a bit like a yo-yo in the spring and people forget those little frosty nights that sneak up on us. The only "happy little accident" on my end is, I assumed many of my old seed from some heritage tomatoes that I have hung onto for years would have poor germination. So of course I sowed them all, HAHA. Now I have hundreds of plants to give away to anyone who will have them. I can only grow about 100 around my property so I think many people will walk away very happy. XD Here I am about 3-4 weeks away from last frost and I too find this a timely video. I was just thinking about starting the next round. Happy sowing and growing everyone!
Many thanks Angela, and good luck with all those tomato plants!
Thank you 😊 I sowed leeks, kale and spinach yesterday. They didn’t like starting in my house, but the weather is lovely to try again outside 🙏🏻
As a very novice gardener i''m so happy to have come across your channel 2 days ago!
Many thanks for your videos and looking forward to the next.
Welcome Eric
The man is a legend! Nuff said. Greetings from Arizona.
Lovely video. I sow tomatoes here in February, but of course that has nothing to do with my abilities, just the weather. I've seen others who should know better completely misinterpret "last frost date". It's an average. Charles understands it. To others, I suggest internet searching a little on basic probability. E.g. my "last frost date" ended a couple of weeks ago .... then a few days ago we had a frost. Is that a reason for a big fuss? No, not 5% of the time 😉 (in my case).
P.S. I hope Edward gets well-rewarded for his skills; he's grown and is quite clever.
Cool and yes!
I think its so wonderful to see such thick stems on the tomatoes🤯💪
All my seeds have sprouted but one, the celery! Now I know the reason, they need light and I covered them with too much soil.
Thanks for another great video, you are an excellent teacher 🙂
Cool thanks!
Great tips. Thank you for the Polish subtitles
Hi Charles. Last year here in Squamish, BC, Canada - we had a colder April. But this year, 2nd week of April - I already transplanted my lettuces, kale, beets, swiss chards, onions, leeks, spring onions, peas, spinach and basil. Its risky for frost but its a good risk because i have been enjoying baby leafs of lettuces, swiss chard, kale and beets...
Thanks for sharing Joy and well done
This was a very good and informative video. We appreciate you Charles Dowding. 🙏🏽
I left my spring onions in the bed over winter (in polytunnel) and now I have tons of flowering heads / seeds. I sowed a few straight off the plant and to my amazement the have sprouted.
Another great informative video Charles. Thank you so much. I started to sow some seeds too early and regret it. The dining room table in the bay window is now full with seed trays. Hope none of my family want feeding for the next few weeks.
😀
Watching your videos is always a pleasure)
I'm always like 'ah well, my seedlings look almost the same as Charles's, so seems that I'm doing it right')) I now only have a balcony (no yard or garden), thus very limited in space, yet I'm growing lettuce, rocket, purslane, peas, basil, coriander, rosemary, sage and other herbs, tomatoes, peppers, cukes, beans and a bit of flowers of course.
Greetings from St. Petersburg, Russia)
So nice of you to say and how amazing! Sounds really satisfying
A dilemma with peppers and the forecast is it's going to be a little cold, mid to low 40's at night for a few days, putting it a week late when the day temps are going to be in the high 70's for an extended time. The peppers are going to need some time for hardening off with light levels before the hot days arrive, but cold temps are extremely bad for them. The winds will be moderate and a little high, up to 20mph, which can strip the plants dry or shred them against supports. There's also intermittent rain forecast that shouldn't be torrential. At least the areas for the peppers are already set up, so we can spend our efforts on building windbreaks and sun shields for them.
Has anyone ever considered that learning from Charles & daily 'having a go' at growing fruit 'n' veg 'n' salads, is probably one of the best ways to de-stress, get away from the pressures & expectations of 'modern life' & self-help in a very natural way. A little gentle exercise required & a lot of care, attention & nurturing. Improving mental health; far better than tablets. You're a little treasure Charlie boy - lol.
Charles, could you consider asking the company (Containerwise?) that moulds your own design of seed modules to make Smaller Versions please. I'm not a market gardener or small-holder, so sowing seeds for one person doesn't require 60x cells. Variety not quantity, better suits a sustainable, self-sufficient lifestyle objective. 12x or 18x cell modules would be ideal, & maybe with the optional extra of having a clear plastic high dome cover, to keep the warmth & humidity within. Multi-variety sowing proves difficult in 60x cell modules, when different seeds germinate & grow-on at very different rates & requiring different & separate growing conditions.
Best regards to all, from a sunny, but still frosty Colchester. JohnnyK.
I use a jigsaw to cut my 72 cell and 128 cell plug trays into smaller pieces. That way I have assorted individual trays with 10-20 cells each. I put them on capillary mats in 1020 trays with domes to retain moisture and evenly hold the warmth from heat mats if required. Each small tray has just one type of plant, much easier to manage as they grow.
@@tetonvalley7535 Hi & thank you for your reply & comment.
I'd already thought of cutting a large x60 cell tray into smaller sections, but the cut edges would probably be structurally weaker & not be the nicely rounded off / moulded edge form.
It's clear from your actions that there is a demand for fewer cell modules. I rather like the design of Charles', as the hole underneath is finger sized @ 14mm (I've got my fingers stuck many times within the holes trying to push-out the plugs - lol). I also like that the cells have greater taper, thus discouraging the plugs to stick firm within. Additionally his design is better made & the materials to last much longer.
Regards, JohnnyK.
Thanks Johnny for your nice words.
Keep it quiet but we are working on smaller trays! Releasing late summer I hope.
Also I tried cutting with a hacksaw and it did a fair job! Got 5, 12 hole trays
@@johnkay4701 I keep the outside edges on as many of the pieces as possible so they end up with quite a bit of integrity, and an ultra fine-toothed blade on my electric jigsaw creates a surprisingly smooth cut. I also use a gumdrop-shaped grinding stone made for a Dremel tool to enlarge the drainage holes, a perfectly sized dowel pops the starts right out, albeit one at a time. Finally I add air pruning slits (akin to Winstrip trays) with a Dremel cutting bit in the larger cells, 72 and 32 per 1020. Just a bit (!) of extra work but I have had great results and have some that are five years old and still going strong. Nice to hear Charles has already been working on this! Happy Gardening and c’mon City!
We just had snow and two major frosts here in Ohio. Glad I held off on planting. Excited to get things going this year. Thanks for sharing Charles.
I am in Taos, NM and my one brother is in Medina, OH and we compare weather notes almost daily. Yeah seems like the cold will just not go away this year!
@@mountainhobbit1971 Blue Rock here. I'm using no dig with forrest compost instead of making my own. Works extremely well.
Que emoción poder ver y aprender de usted señor ✍️es una maravilla 🌱🌱🌱 felicidades me encantó 👏👏 abrazo grande desde 🇦🇷 bendiciónes 🙌🙌
Muchas gracias Estela
Hello, Charles. I live on Vancouver Island, British Columbia, Canada, and I've often referred new gardeners to your videos. Not only do you give REALLY good tips and advice, but your climate is very similar to our own. Thank you
So nice of you, thanks :)
Ah, i must have gotten it right this year, my cucumbers and tomatoes are the same size as yours!😁 Beautiful video, thank you!
Perfect!
Thanks for your great videos. You have influenced my garden practices so much, more than any other gardening guru. My gardening conversations are often laced with "according to Charles Dowding........." 😁
That's cool, thanks :)
wonderful video as usual Charles, but i cant help but think you should do one just on tomatoes? maybe you have and the search didnt bring it up but like a growing guide to tomatoes like you have on some other veggies would be great because i think 80%+ of gardeners always grow tomatoes, sow times, planting out times all that good stuff i think would be a great video to add to your arsenal. thanks again though thoroughly enjoyed this one. 🙂
Cheers Jon.
I have done it, in my online course, lesson 30 but it's not free.
May do a You Tube one.
After watching Charles, decided to rip out the lawn and plant food. Wish me luck..... Entering spring in South Africa so cant wait
I do wish you luck and reckon you will enjoy the growing
Thank you @Charles for the lovely video . always a pleasure to watch and learn from you.
So inspiring Charles Dowding! I don’t have a greenhouse here in San Diego ,CA can you please share your knowledge on how to grow seeds in the absence of a greenhouse? My eggplant seeds got eaten by bugs the other day. Thank you so much Charles!
Oh dear that is a pity! Any kind of do it yourself structure could serve, with reasonable light level. For a large garden it would be worth investing in something quite permanent but, from here, it's hard to advise what you might create or buy
Charles you are another of my favourite gardeners. It's so good of you to share your knowledge. This year I planted most things a lot later than my previous years and everything is looking really healthy.
Cherie 💚
I've been waiting so long for a show on how you plant your warmth loving plants like tomatoes, corn, and melons. Thank you and God bless!!
You are so welcome!
His Calendar is an incredible wealth of knowledge with sowing times all year round :)
You've changed my garden with this sowing method, and I love that 💚🌱💚 thanks a lot 🙏🐞
Thank you Charles for another video.It has been interesting to learn how compost varies so much. You also explain everything so well .I haven't yet been confident enough to sow seed into my home made compost.I will have to try this now .
Hi Charles, I was just thinking about you and hope you are enjoying your Spring. 🌿💚🌿
Greetings from Windermere, Florida zone 9b We are already putting on the AC and harvesting lettuce and tender greens for a few months.
Happy Gardening 🌿👩🌾🌿
I'm about 2 weeks ahead of you.My tomatoe, cucumber and pepper plants are about 10-12cm tall but i'm making a green house and the plants will go inside next week.It's a made up green house with wooden frame and polythene but it will de double walled ,so an airgap will be left to help with isolation.It should keep good temperature and hopefully my plants will do very well this year.
Great Video and very good explanation.
Good to hear Filip, early harvests I hope
Now I know why I struggle with basil...I'll remember to keep em on the dry side in future. Thanks Mr.D
Hi Charles. This has been such a helpful video! Being able to watch the step-by-step approach helps with the education. Even as a gardener (albeut beginner level 1 junior apprentice), I'm learning how to take my time, relax and let nature take its course, which the video reinforces that process, especially when there is a temptation to rush-rush, hurry-hurry. Thanks a million! PS, the radicchio/chicory mix seedlings are poking through after 4-days on the east and south facing windowsills :-)
😀 Great to hear Phil!
Yes! I’ve definitely learnt that a cold spring means early down plants/seedlings stay longer and grow way too big on my window sills! My tomatoes and squashes are so big... I mean... I have flowers on my marmande tomatoes ! 😂 But but but! As I don’t have a greenhouse I was thinking they needed to be started earlier because they are going to be grown outside.... any thoughts on that peeps? It’s my last year of sowing early I promise! 🤣
I’ve started to put mine outside when it’s a warm day (not necessarily in direct sun, they wilted fast!) to slow the growth down of my window sill jungle! Bringing them in at night... I love doing that, it’s like bringing in your babies to keep them all safe and healthy... they’re like... thanks mum... 💖
Nice care!
I start tomatoes for outdoor planting later, because I do not have space undercover for them growing too enormous. There are so many factors in play 😀
Thanks for a great video, I had one light bulb moment from one small comment you made; "celeriac need light to germinate", that explains this years failure so far, thanks again.
Cheers Will and allow 10-12 days too
Thanks Charles, beautiful as ever watching and learning. All the best, Andy & Karen 👍
Thank you Mr Charlie. I think most of all for reminding me of the content luxuriousness involved in lovingly handling compost.
Held to your advise about not sowing to early. Last year I sowed way too early although it feels like I'm being lazy and late I have kept to the schedule using my last frost date. So wanting to get more going but it's not time yet. Thanks again for the encouragement.
Thanks for sharing!
Thank you Charles, I had gotten so worried that I was too late seeing my tomatoes at the end of April. But after watching you I feel far not relaxed about it! Time to get the cucumber and courgette going
Glad I could help!
I have learned so much from you since December when I found your channel! This is my first year with a big garden and so far it’s going well! I’m following your instructions to a T. Thanks for your great teaching!
Great job! Thanks Emily
I plant my tomato in the first week of April for six weeks growth before the 15th of May which is the last of the Eisheiligen or 'Ice Saints' in this area of Germany. This year I have Sungold, Ailsa Craig, Sweet Million, Crimson Crush and for the first time Crimson Cocktail. Some of my self seeded Ailsa Craig are now rampant, already twelve inches high whereas others, notably the Crimson Cocktail are barely an inch high, both planted in the same potting mix, in the same six inch pots and left on the same sunny window sill in an unheated room (I don't see the sense in planting Tomato on, two in a six inch pot and choose the strongest of the two, if there are two weak plants in the pot then you can replace them with a stronger plant from another pot). The variance this year is something I have never witnessed in twenty years of growing tomato, to be honest I don't know if I have a freak batch of weak plants from some cultivars, something tells me it's going to be an interesting season this year!
This is interesting feedback Bob!
Brilliant content, learned more from Charles than any other UA-cam channel. In depth and all aspects considered
💚 thanks
Hi Charles and 'crew'. Great video. Thanks. I'm definitely not guilty of sowing too early. This video was very timely as otherwise I might have 'overcompensated' for my super late start with the cold tolerant plants by sowing others too early. Dipping into course 3 at the moment and seeing what I can get away with playing catch-up on.You've convinced me to try to find room for cabbage in the form of Duncan F1 and going to try out Kaibroc. Also will try out some container growing of these and others. Grew Calinaro last year and it was amazing to eat but even the two we grew were more than we had room for. :-)
Great to read this Neil and that sounds encouraging, that you are not too early!
My tomato and pepper seedlings have just sprouted and starting to grow, and will be ready to transplant after our last frost date in mid-May. The instructions always say to start the seeds 6 to 8 weeks before the last frost date, but they grow much too fast for that long a growing period before transplanting. I always plant the seeds in trays 4 weeks before the last frost date, and they are strong an ready to transplant by the last frost date.
Excellent!
Thank you Charles. This is my first year of seed sowing, inspired mainly by your videos. Your guidance is invaluable.
You are very welcome Robert
Charles Sir, I’ve been following you for a long time. I moved from Pennsylvania to Arizona (America) just over 3 years ago. I’m so amazed that I planted 6 Swiss char into very large pots. The pots were placed under my peach and promagrant tree for some protection from the intense sun. I never moved the pots, give a spray of water a few times a week and after 3 years I’m ver proud to say I’m still tearing off leaves for side salad everyday. I have never heard you speak about one plant going on this long? I really expected it to die off in the winter. Of course it does slow down in development but the plant is growing like crazy. I should send you pictures. Please advise if possible.
Amazing Sally! Send please to admin@charlesdowding.co.uk
exactly how I feel, left behind when I see people in different climates sowing. can't wait for warmer weather.
Two years in a row I am too eager to transplant my tomatoes and peppers too early. This year particularly, it was snowing 2 inches after the last frost date. Next year I will give myself less work and more success just simply not starting them so early.
Probably not ideal for your case, but in my garden, I'm seeing lettuce and cilantro do a good job self sowing themselves, as well as chives and parsley. So I'll give myself less work by simply letting more of them go to flower and not pull them.
Nice work. You are right that self seeding is not my ideal because although it sounds easy, you end up with seeds popping up all over the place even where you don't want them sometimes! Then you need to spend time separating them out et cetera. It works but it's not necessarily less work!
Love your videos and I respect and appreciate your knowledge about gardening - especially those many trials you run. On overhead watering of seedlings ... I've been rather fanatical about using only bottom-watering my seedlings but after watching your approach, I trust that I can carefully top water. That's going to save me a lot of time and effort for my more developed seedlings. Thanks for that.
Great!
In Hertfordshire, our last frost date is a week later than yours so it is very easy to be tempted to put stuff out too early.
Thank you @CharlesDowding I’m going to start sowing again on Saturday and I’m happy to know it’s a good time to start leeks. I’ve got onions in but I would love to grow leeks. I need to review your calendar for May! We’re almost there. 🌻