Submitted by our Gardening Moderator Jane:

"This is the sowing season for many types of seeds. Think herbs, salad vegetables of all kinds, tomatoes, spinach and nasturtiums for a start. Chan Man Hop at Number 8 Connaught Road West is currently well stocked with seeds from Malaysia and Belgium including some interesting herbs. A couple of doors further West at Number 11 Wong Yuen Shing has a wide range of Yates seeds and also some local vegetable seeds sold by the catty (but you can request a modest quantity for a few dollars). Yates seeds from Australia are very reliable with an almost embarrassingly high germination success rate. They are not organic, but they are packaged to withstand a wide variety of climates Down Under and so the packets resist Hong Kong’s humidity pretty well.

Most European seed companies tend to use less robust packaging for their seeds which often cease to be viable before they are sown. If you order organic seeds, be sure to sow them immediately for best results.

Hard seeds like nasturtiums, coriander, parsley and carrots seem to sprout faster after an overnight soak in tepid water. Try using sandpaper on large, hard seeds to help them germinate.

Damping off is a challenge in Hong Kong as healthy looking seedlings sometimes give up trying for no apparent reason. A preventive spray of Neem solution can help avoid this problem. And I have read on the internet that Camomile tea has anti-fungal properties that can also help seedlings to make it through their early weeks.

It was early in the season, but I planted a few Okra seeds in big pots late last month and they seem to be thriving in all-day rooftop sunshine. The ones in the ground, however, are not doing as well – doubtless because they receive less sun.

To learn more about organic growing techniques and some hints on getting the most out of limited space, sign up asap for the Organic day out in the New Territories on September 28. We will start with a hands-on class at the Community Growers Group headquarters in the Lam Tsuen Valley.

Second stop is the nearby Kadoorie Farm & Botanic Garden for a look at ingenious ways to get the most out of limited spaces and the square-foot demonstration plots. Our third major stop will be at Hong Kong’s largest and most up-to-date organic farm which specialises in cultivating heirloom tomatoes and fresh figs.

During the day there will be opportunities to stock up on first rate potting soil, ideal for seed raising; vermiculite; potted herbs and other enticing items.
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Organic Day out in the New Territories

Vegetable and herb sowing season is here. Are you ready?

Interested in growing at least some of your own food?

Book asap for a 3-stop Organic Day in the New Territories, September 28, Wednesday.

Learn by doing at a hands-on session on organic gardening techniques.

Visit the organic “keyhole” plantings at Kadoorie Farm & Botanical Garden for fascinating insight into how to get the most out of limited growing space.

Explore Hong Kong’s largest and most up-to-date organic farm (taste sun-ripened figs fresh from the trees and other equally delectable produce)

During the day you can stock up on organic compost/potting mix ideal for raising seedlings, unbeatable value at $65 per 25 K sack.

You will also be able to buy organic Neem-based pesticide/fungicide, organically grown potted plants including herbs; organic free-range eggs, vegetables and fruit; local honey. Books on HK plants; pots & containers of all kind, bark mulch and vermiculite.

Early registration is essential. Friends are welcome. Regrettably, this excursion is not geared to young children.

Cost: $150 per head covers all fees for the day and round-trip travel by private coach. Depart Pier 4 at 9am, return at approximately 5pm. Additional passenger pick-up/drop-off at University Station.

Lunch: Bring-Your-Own or try Kadoorie’s Sunshine Café (soup/sandwiches/noodles etc made with organic farm produce).

Sign-up asap by e-mail:Janetaipeng@gmail.com.

Queries to Jane Ram by e-mail or phone at any reasonable hour: 2982 0330.

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Another tour by our Gardening forum moderator, Jane, after the very successful "Organic Day Out" tour above on Wed, Sep 28, 2 days ago, with quite a number of Lammaites joining in, including myself. My photo gallery is in progress....

Strawberries & Sunflowers

Discover for yourself why Strawberries and Sunflowers make good partners during our October 26 visit to the AFCD’s experimental farm at Tai Long in the northern New Territories.

The day will also include a visit to a specialist organic seed & gardening supplies shop and at least one nursery well stocked with a wide variety of bedding plants, annuals & perennials.

Cost: $150 per head for round-trip coach transport for the day from Pier 4, Central (with additional pick-up at University Station).

For more information and to register asap: Janetaipeng@gmail.com

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Click here for Lamma-zine stories and recent Lamma Spotlights of the Week:
Photo, Video, Person, Wildlife, Bird, Artwork.