Growing from seed – how and where

As you develop the number of sites you’re cultivating you might want to consider growing from seed.

First have a look at the Seed saving fact sheet for information on how to save your seeds.

Then use the Growing from seed: tips on propagating your plants from seed fact sheet for information on when and how to plant the seeds.

You will need to consider space for growing your seedlings, which Incredible Edible groups have found some great solutions for. Incredible Edible Conwy have taken on a garden share in the grounds of a large house where they’ve got some poly tunnels. The group cultivate their seeds there before planting the seedlings out in their different sites in town. The garden share helps the owner (they get to pick the crops for free and have some great company each week) and gives the group a perfect site for doing additional growing. There’s a simple agreement between the house owner and the group, and as long as everyone is respectful of this agreement (e.g. the group will meet potential new members away from the house, so there aren’t strangers turning up at the gate) then it’s a great example of positive reciprocity in action.

For Incredible Edible Dunstable, the haul of loads of slightly out of date seeds from a local seed company was a great bonus, but the group didn’t have a place to cultivate them. So they gave away the seeds to their members, the local brownies and anyone else who was interested in a few packs of free seeds. But there was a catch… Everyone who took free seeds were asked to bring a few of the seedlings back to the Incredible Edible Dunstable site for planting there. That way everyone wins!