I was getting ready to sow a few seeds indoors and looked at a packet of
Nasturtium "Empress of India" and it says "Sow direct" March to May. So

I'm suspicious of this "sow direct" lark since a neighbour failed with
some "sow direct" sunflowers (while mine started on the windowsill were
great). Mind you, the rodents around here probably ate his seeds.

what to do?

Steve Harris - Cheltenham - Real address steve AT netservs DOT com
A useful bit of gardening software at http://www.netservs.com/garden/

"Steve Harris" wrote in message
...
:I was getting ready to sow a few seeds indoors and looked at a packet of
: Nasturtium "Empress of India" and it says "Sow direct" March to May. So
:
: I'm suspicious of this "sow direct" lark since a neighbour failed with
: some "sow direct" sunflowers (while mine started on the windowsill were
: great). Mind you, the rodents around here probably ate his seeds.
:
: what to do?

Nasturtiums grow like weeds and self seed all over the place so I think
you're quite safe. You might want to know how to get rid of them later lol

In article , Steve
Harris writes
I was getting ready to sow a few seeds indoors and looked at a packet of
Nasturtium "Empress of India" and it says "Sow direct" March to May. So

I'm suspicious of this "sow direct" lark since a neighbour failed with
some "sow direct" sunflowers (while mine started on the windowsill were
great). Mind you, the rodents around here probably ate his seeds.

Sunflowers are very attractive to slugs, and it was probably those that
got his sunflowers. Nasturtiums are less attractive.

I grew 'empress of india' last year, sowing in pots and planting out at
about 4 inches. Worked well.

I don't get anywhere with sowing direct as my garden is shady and damp
and absolutely full of slugs.
--
Kay
"Do not insult the crocodile until you have crossed the river"

I agree that sowing direct doesn't always work. I start everything off in pots or trays and plant them out later. Even plants that are supposed to be sown direct, such as annual poppies, can be successfully transplanted if you're careful. I can only imagine direct sowing working on completely bare beds (i.e. no competition for light, etc., from established and regrowing perennials and shrubs). And yes, slugs will love the soft young growth of many seedlings. Incidentally, I've successfully managed to keep the slugs out of my small vegetable patch by edging it with copper piping. Apparently the copper gives them an electric shock so they won't cross it.

Robert wrote:

: "Steve Harris" wrote in message
: ...
: :I was getting ready to sow a few seeds indoors and looked at a packet of
: : Nasturtium "Empress of India" and it says "Sow direct" March to May. So
: :
: : I'm suspicious of this "sow direct" lark since a neighbour failed with
: : some "sow direct" sunflowers (while mine started on the windowsill were
: : great). Mind you, the rodents around here probably ate his seeds.
: :
: : what to do?

: Nasturtiums grow like weeds and self seed all over the place so I think
: you're quite safe. You might want to know how to get rid of them later lol

which plants selfseed and grow like weeds depends on your soil
type/condition and hence will vary from garden to garden.
Nasties just seem to struggle in mine.

I have noticed with lettuce, that those that are germinate and grow from
direct sown seed are more slug proof than transplanted seedlings!