Growing Seedlings

Growing plants from seeds can be an inexpensive way to start a garden and it is satisfying to watch the plants grow.

Here's an easy way to grow some capsicums plants from seed using empty beverage cans and 'pet pellets'

1. Seeds collected from a fresh capsicum - these had been allowed to dry out over a couple of months.
2. Empty beverage cans
3. Pet Pellets

Create a holder for a peat pellet from an empty beverage can by cutting the can as shown in the photos. After cutting the main shape, follow up by trimming with scissors to make a smooth edge.

1. Soak the peat pellets (which can be purchased online or from a garden center) in water for 20 minutes. They will expand in size.
2. Using a small stick make some holes in the peat for the seeds.
3. Place some seeds in the holes, pushing them in with the stick. They should be about 5mm deep.
4. Place the peat pellets in the holders made from the beverage cans.
5. Keep the soil damp but not wet.
6. After about 2 weeks the seeds should have germinated and be visible

If multiple seeds have germinated, choose 3 to keep and cut the others off with a small pair of scissors. This is to prevent overcrowding.

A support for a number of peat plant holders can be created by nailing some to a wooden pole, or to a wooden fence.

Attaching a plant holder to the door of a refrigerator using a small magnet is also an option. Although I found the plants germinated faster on the balcony.

When the seedlings are of a suitable size. Plant the peat pallets, with seedlings, into the garden or a patio pot. If there is overcrowding, cut off one or more seedling using a pair of scissors.

A garden barrier can also be created using empty beverage cans. This is useful when growing mint and you don't want the roots spreading out and taking over the entire garden.

1. Cut off the top and bottom of some empty beverage cans.
2. Cut down one side of the cans and flatten the sheets out by rolling against a table edge.
3. Dig a small drench next to the mint, which is growing in your garden, slot in the metal sheets so they overlay each other, making a barrier the mint roots can't travel through.
4. Fill in the small drench which soil.