On this page:

Otepoti Urban Organics runs Dunedin's very own Seed Savers Network - specialising in heirloom and open pollinated varieties that are tried and true to do well in the Otago / Southland climate. We really appreciate people's support in helping us maintain and improve this genetic stock for present and future food growers in the region. To get on the email list and receive a free seed list, simply send an email to otepoti.urban.organics@gmail.com . More information on our seed bank can be found HERE (http://www.urbanorganics.org.nz/node/150)

 

There are also several other options for sourcing seeds. You can get them from friends who have saved seeds, grass roots seed saver networks, or commercial seed companies. For Otago / Southland growers, you can also try sourcing seed from the southland seed savers network (click for more info).

 

When choosing seed, you need to consider its suitability to your region and the season. All of the species of veggies listed in the species specific gardening guide of this site (and more) can be grown in Dunedin and Coastal Otago / Southland in general. Also, different strains of the same vegetable may be suited to different parts of the year. For instance, some strains of spinach grow well in spring, others in autumn.

 

Seed brands to avoid include 'Carnival' and 'McGregors'. Many of the other mainstream seed brands such as Yates etc, sell mostly hybrids, which are useless to save seed from and as such we discourage their use.

 

Seeds can be started in pots or trays of soil, or sown directly in the ground where they are to grow. Small pots made from newspaper or peat are good for directly transplanting into the soil with no distrurbance to the tender roots of the seedlings. Styrofoam grape trays are avaliable for free from out the back of most supermarkets or grocers. These are good for bulk seed germination. Any type of tray that has drainage and can hold 5-10cm of soil is good.

 

To germinate seeds, fill your trays or pots with a fine grade, clean soil. Avoid obvious chunks of bark, clay, compost, stones etc.

 

Plant seeds at a depth reccomended on the seed packet. If you're using seeds without attached instructions, a general rule of thumb is to cover the seed with between 1 and 2 times its own depth in soil. For very fine seeds, such as mesclun mix or carrots, seeds can just be sprinkled on the surface and covered with a sprinkled layer of dirt. For larger seeds like pumpkins and beans, poke holes in the dirt where each seed is to go, and then place one seed in each hole.

 

After you've sprinkled or planted the seeds, water the tray / pots with a gentle, fine mist of water, which will fill in the holes with soil and not distrub the seeds too much.

 

Place the trays in a location that is warm but not too dry. Direct sunlight is best avoided for early germination. Keep the soil moist at all times. After a few days to a couple of weeks (depending on your strain) you will notice the seeds germinating and sending out 'cotyledons', the 'seed leaves' which are the most basic type of leaves. After this the plant will send out 'true leaves'. Once the seedlings are of a manageable size, you can plant them out into your garden. If you planted direct into the ground, then you're set to go. Some species, like carrot, will usually need to be 'thinned' out a little bit after direct sowing. In other words, you remove the smallest / runtiest seedlings in the row until plants are spaced appropriatley.

For plants grown in newspaper or peat pots, plant them direct into the ground including the pot. If kept moist, the roots will easily grow through the pot and into the soil.

 

For plants grown together in trays, you'll need to carefully separate them when transplanting. Sometimes it's easier to lift out a chunk of seedlings from the tray and then seperate them out from there, rather than trying to dig them up individually from the tray.

 

To transplant from pots into the garden or into larger pots, simply loosen the root ball up a bit by squeezing the sides of the pot, then, holding the stem of the plant between your fingers, flip the pot upside down and ease the root ball out of the pot. Transplant into an appropriately sized hole.

 

For all types of transplants, water well after transplanting until the plant starts showing signs of fresh growth, then water as per required for that particular plant. Just watch your plants and see if they seem like they need watering or not. You'll get a feel for it.