There are some seed shapes I struggle with. Scabious leaves me unoptimistic for success, and grasses often tuft lifelessly long after their anticipated germination window. Even the darts of marigolds and the ridged curls of calendula seeds have been a sometime disappointment before indoors, mocking me with their beginner-friendly reputation.
But this is to be the year of successful companion planting. Within 2 days of sowing, ‘Daisy Wheel Lemon’ was kinking its furry white roots down into the soil. Green stretches of stem pushed the seed casings skywards, and perfectly non-descript seed leaves forced their way out. The Calendula is following on, in the palest green straightening up out of the pot, with the caterpillar seed husks soon to be left browning on the surface.
In no time I’ll forget the memory of ‘Sherbert Fizz’ doing little to nothing, and perhaps I’ll try a packet again, having turned the Asteraceae corner. With a foray into grasses already underway – Pennisetum macrourum watched closely for signs of life – it’s now just time for mastering scabious.
a year in the garden 