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Chipping sweet pea seeds
Frankie6
Posts: 85
Hi,
I have finally got around to the Big Sow (better late than never).
Having read that my usual method of sowing sweet pea seeds (soak overnight, then plant) is wrong, I have tried chipping them.
I have lots of problems with strength and stiffness and muscle fatigue in my joints, including my fingers. After 2 packets of seed barely chipped at all, I am ready to throw in the towel. Is there an easier way?
0
Posts
Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.
I don't chip them either too fiddly. Do as dove suggests. Life's too short.
I must admit (3 packs in and an awful lot to go) if just sowing them in moist compost works just as well, I am happy to give this up.
As a gardener with all kinds of strength/joint issues, I would welcome an advice thread on work arounds for aspects of gardening which are tricky.
I do as Dove does.
Which aspects are particularly tricky for you?
Frankie, I'm sure there are lots of people on the forum who garden with a disability. You should start a thread and invite members to share tips and advice.
I was told by a sweet pea grower to put them on damp kitchen paper and when they start growing a tiny white root plant them on....got the best crop ever last year...so using same method this year.
Thanks for all the helpful comments! Busy Lizzie, I find holding them with enough force to keep them still, difficult, then exerting enough pressure and control on the knife. I sharpened the knife to make it easier, but that just increased the chances of cutting myself, as it skittered off the surface because I don't have the hand strength (can I just say I haven't hit 50 yet; problems due to genetic flaw not age).
I started using a rasp instead to scarify them, but now, encouraged by forum replies, I gave in and have just soaked the rest for a bit! 17 packets of sweet peas in pots
Next year I might give each of the easier methods a go and see which has the best success rate for me.
All mine have germinated without soaking, King's seeds. Eagle seeds are excellent too. The ones I didn't have much success with were T&M. So it may be the supplier, not the method.
I didn't mean problems just with chipping sweet peas, I was wondering generally how your problems affect your gardening. I am getting arthritis in my hands, especially the left one which I used for pulling up the weeds that I have dug with my trowel in my right hand. Sometimes I lose my grip and drop things. I used to hand milk Jersey cows, think that was the cause - and genetics.
Ah I see Busy;Lizzie. Sadly almost all my seeds are T&M this year as I went a bit wild on the offers, so I don't know if they will respond well without chipping.
I have problems with defective muscles, ligaments and joints, similar in some ways, but not the same as, arthritis, (defective due to genetic defect rather than wear and tear) so these jobs are difficult -
pruning (no strength);getting up and down, staying down,; potting on and on (prefer to plant in something that can be planted straight outside); turning hard soil over; weeding tap roots - need a tool which gets them out without relying on strength; hoeing large spaces; digging - just not possible unless I persuade my boy to do it. I don't dig unless absolutely necessary. I much prefer to mulch, of necessity - and top up soil endlessly. Anything repetitive ( e,g, spraying large areas) or requiring normal strength can also be a problem. Gripping can be a problem too, even gripping and manipulating small object such as seeds.
I actually do pretty well, using the boy for heavy work, although he is fairly resistant and not much technical use. The thing is, I am young middle-age, so finding work-arounds will be helpful for a very long time.