It is in the early months of the year that I most miss my pretty little greenhouse. When I moved my daughter asked if she could have it and the whole thing was successfully dismantled and moved to Kent where it is being put to good use – I do still have visiting rights but its too far for me to use. So I have returned to using my kitchen windowsill to give tender plants a good start in life. Currently it is home to five tomato seedlings, which now go out during the day, five seed potatoes chitting, some cut and come again leaves and a small pot of sprouting leaves which I am trying for the first time. For gardeners like me without a greenhouse a sunny windowsill provides a convenient place to get things started.

For gardeners who like to be ahead a sunny windowsill can be used to start off a few hardy vegetables, such as calabrese, cabbage and leeks, which once germinated can be pricked out and potted on before being hardened off outside so they are ready for planting when the weather is right, hopefully mid-spring. I have decided to look into getting a windowsill propagator which will help to keep seeds at a stable temperature. Until then I am going to use 2L water bottles cut off to form mini-greenhouses to help some Morning Glory seeds to germinate. This is another first as I haven’t grown these from seed before and I have been told they can be a bit tricky so it might be a challenge.

Of course it doesn’t end there, windowsills can be ideal for tender crops. If you haven’t got a garden at all a few plants can be successfully reared indoors. Chillies and basil are particularly successful and will love the warmth of being indoors. For a quick supply of baby leaves try sowing lettuce, peas, rocket and cress thinly in trays and harvest when they are just a few inches high - delicious. There are a few pitfalls and full sun can be an enemy as well as a friend. Seedlings can be scorched if the temperature rises too high so be ready to move your precious crop away from the window when the sun is at its hottest. Opening a window can cause cold draughts something that your tender plants won’t enjoy.

Of course you might have some failures but being able to harvest and eat something you have grown yourself makes it worth trying.

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