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New to fruit and veg growing

wray 787wray 787 Posts: 10
in Problem solving
Hi, I am very new to this and hoping to start a raised veg bed this year. I have planted some seeds, but they are very leggy. Is this normal. I used seed compost. 

Posts

  • wray 787wray 787 Posts: 10
    Should have said, one is mixed salleaves (left) the other is cauliflower!
  • BobTheGardenerBobTheGardener Posts: 11,385
    Those seedlings have been raised somewhere which is too warm and with not enough light, resulting in tall, weak, leggy seedlings which are technically known as etoliated.  I would start again - as soon as the seedlings start to germinate, move them to somewhere in full daylight but not warmer than about 15C.
    A trowel in the hand is worth a thousand lost under a bush.
  • wray 787wray 787 Posts: 10
    And here was me blaming the seed compost! To be clear, as soon as I spot a tiny bit of green, off to the bright but coldish windowsill? Or, not the west facing kitchen. 
    Thanks Bob. 
  • BobTheGardenerBobTheGardener Posts: 11,385
    edited March 2019
    Yes, the warmth is only needed until they germinate.  They will do much better once germinated on the cooler windowsill.  A good tip to help maximise light is to cut the top and one long side off of a small cardboard box and line the inside of the box with aluminium foil, to reflect light from the back onto the tray of seedlings which is placed in the box on the windowsill. :)

    A trowel in the hand is worth a thousand lost under a bush.
  • wray 787wray 787 Posts: 10
    That looks cool. I will get my blue Peter groove on and make one of those. 
    Thanks for taking the time to help a novice. 
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