Kitchen Garden Forum

I planted out my purple sprouting seedlings about 6 weeks ago and they haven't done anything since. They were sown in cells, hardened off and then planted out. Is there anything I can do to get them moving?

Has the rain this week made a difference, or are they just the same.

You could give them a feed with more nitrogen than potash - nettle tea is high nitrogen if you want a D.I.Y feed, or just feed with a balanced one like Miracle Grow.

You might dig one up gently and check if its roots are ok if they don't start growing soon to see if it is a pest or disease problem.

If this is PS to crop next Feb onwards, they will be slow growing. I have only just pricked out my seedlings the same time as the sprouts and the sprouts are far more advanced,
I wouldn't worry too much provided they still look healthy.

Beryl.

thanks for the advice. I have plenty of nettles growing. How do you make nettle tea?

I put lots of nettles (they work quicker if you let them wilt first) in a water butt and give it a good stir every couple of days for a week or two. Keep a lid on it as it absolutely stinks. Then use it diluted - not an exact science - but the books say it should be the colour of weak tea. Better on the weak side than too strong. You can fish the nettles out and put them on the compost heap when it is ready.

I haven't even sown my PS yet. Had some plants from Suttons last year which didn't go in until 2nd week of August and they did very well.