Planting in punnets

I like to always have a few punnets of vegetable seedlings on the go. That way, as soon as a gap opens up in the patch, I’ve got healthy, established seedlings ready to plant.
Don’t get me wrong; direct sowing is the preferred method for many gardeners, and it’s often satisfying to simply make a drill in the soil, drop in some seed, and be done with it. But starting seeds in containers offers several advantages that can lead to a significant increase in your backyard production.

Punnet power

• Control conditions One key advantage is the control you have over the conditions. No matter what the day throws at you – heat, cold, thunderstorms – you can move punnets to a spot where they’re most likely to survive and thrive. Keeping all your punnets together, preferably in a spot you can easily monitor, ensures they receive the regular attention they need, especially watering and feeding. This approach leads to fewer losses and ultimately greater harvests.
• Out of season With the right set-up, you can create conditions to grow crops out of season – like starting winter vegies in the heat of summer or summer crops in the depths of winter.
• Head start You can start seeds in punnets anytime, so you don’t need to wait for space to become available in the patch. If your seedlings outgrow their punnet before your garden is ready for them, it’s easy to size them up into larger pots. This keeps them growing strongly until it’s the perfect time to plant them out. By the time they hit your patch, they’ll already have weeks or even months of growth under their belts, meaning earlier harvests and a more productive season overall.

Get a copy of our Early Autumn issue (OG 155) for more tips on planting seeds in punnets and how to ‘size up’ plants before putting them into the garden. Get a copy here.