Fancy some lunar salad? NASA announces plans to grow seeds on the Moon

As far and wide as we are proud to say our customers come from here at Seeds By Post (http://www.seedsbypost.co.uk), we must admit that the Moon is one place that we don't deliver mail order seeds to. But that could change one day, with the news that NASA plans to bring basil, turnip and cress seeds on its next mission to the Moon so that it can grow plants there for the first time.

This first ever attempt to germinate plants on another world will doubtless have imaginations racing about the possibility of we humans one day taking up residence there, although for now, the mission will doubtless also fascinate the gardeners who shop for vegetable and herb seeds with us. Just in case you're wondering about the atmosphere issue, NASA has said that a specially constructed canister will be used to house the seeds, with what has been dubbed the Lunar Plant Growth Chamber carrying enough air for 10 days.

The air in the chamber would be adequate to enable the sprouting and growth of the seeds for five days, NASA has stated, amid hopes that the experiment will eventually lead to astronauts growing their own food while in residence on a lunar base. The mission, with a launch date of 2015, forms part of a commercial Moon landing project, the Moon Express lander.

Anyone who ever grew cress seedlings on filter paper at school should be able to understand NASA's basic plans, which will involve the use of natural sunlight to germinate the plants inside the chamber, with the seeds growing on pieces of filter paper laden with nutrients. In a statement, the NASA Ames Research Center said that the growth of plants on the Moon would also assist its assessment of the suitability of the lunar surface for supporting life, with the long term goal being for human beings to live and work there.

It said: "As seedlings, they can be as sensitive as humans to environmental conditions, sometimes even more so. They carry genetic material that can be damaged by radiation as can that of humans. They can test the lunar environment for us acting as a 'canary in a coal mine'. If we send plants and they thrive, then we probably can."

The statement added that colonists not only required the life support - "food, air, water" - provided by thriving plants, but that plants were also a source of psychological comfort, as shown by how popular greenhouses had proved in Antarctica and on the Space Station show. Indeed, it was experiments on the International Space Station that demonstrated the ability of plants to grow in low gravity environments.

We're certainly excited here at Seeds By Post (http://www.seedsbypost.co.uk) to learn more about the herb and veg seeds' fate when the mission finally happens, but in the meantime, we'll remain a little more 'down to Earth' - by continuing to provide all of the very finest seeds, of the leading brands, to our loyal customers.

Editor’s Note: Seeds By Post (http://www.seedsbypost.co.uk) are represented by the search engine advertising and digital marketing specialists Jumping Spider Media. Email: info@jumpingspidermedia.co.uk or call: +44 (0)20 3070 1959 / +34 952 783 637.

Rooftop gardens add colour to London's Square Mile

The UK's financial services epicentre may seem an unlikely place to find customers of vegetable, flower and herb seeds, but Seeds By Post (http://www.seedsbypost.co.uk) is proud to report that even the Square Mile seems to have caught the gardening bug, with rooftop gardens adding some much-needed greenery to the most densely urban parts of the capital. These gardens have sprung up from parts of buildings that would have otherwise been ignored and unloved concrete spaces, so it's fantastic to see so many now blooming with the most beautiful fruits, vegetables and wild flowers.

One example of such a garden can be found at the Strand headquarters of the private bank and wealth management specialist Coutts, where busy kitchens are well catered-for with vegetables, fruit and herbs. On the roof of another building very close by is the edible garden tended to by employees of the international law firm Olswang, whenever they can grab a few moments in their lunch break. They also take unsurprisingly little time to eat the produce grown from their vegetable seeds.

But such a large number of rooftop gardens in this part of London haven't emerged by coincidence. The transformation of unused roof spaces into something decidedly greener was encouraged by inmidtown, the Business Improvement District for Bloomsbury, Holborn and St Giles. Mitch Steprans, business manager at inmidtown, has spoken of the "massive potential" of the capital's roof gardens, stating that "Of our 570 member businesses, probably half could be greened."

No doubt these newfound seeds customers are already seeing the many benefits of having a garden in such close proximity to their work, with the positive effects on the environment - including rainwater runoff and sound reduction, improved heat retention and biodiversity - not to be ignored. However, there's also the fact that a company's people, ranging from lawyers to other employees, just feel better thanks to its presence. Whenever they can spare a moment, it gives them the chance to take in a bit of fresh air and a change of scenery, not to mention meet people from other business departments.

Olswang's garden is also giving novice gardeners the opportunity to learn about growing food, while clients, potential clients and charity partners have also been impressed by the visual impact, practical expertise and inspiration that the garden has brought. Certainly, the garden's large potted trees, bee hives, peppers, herbs, strawberries and lavender all contribute to a gorgeous-looking space, but it is also very practical, now providing food to the firm's busy kitchen - from lovage and sorrel in summer drinks to lemon verbena in oily fish. Plates, meanwhile, are given a splash of red and green by the garden's finest tiny radishes and beetroot.

Clearly, introducing a bit of country to the city has had a very real positive effect on employee productivity and wellbeing in the very heart of London's financial quarter - and here at the leading veg seeds provider Seeds By Post (http://www.seedsbypost.co.uk), we can only hope that the trend continues.

Editor’s Note: Seeds By Post (http://www.seedsbypost.co.uk) are represented by the search engine advertising and digital marketing specialists Jumping Spider Media. Email: info@jumpingspidermedia.co.uk or call: +44 (0)20 3070 1959 / +34 952 783 637.

                                          

What needs to be done in your garden in August

If there is one month of the year when we might just forgive you for not stocking up on the finest vegetable, herb and flower seeds with us (only slightly, though), it is surely August, which is holiday time for many of us. It's the point of the year when even the most enthusiastic gardeners can often be looking around for a mobile phone charger or shopping for sun cream rather than tending to their vegetable patch or visiting Seeds By Post (http://www.seedsbypost.co.uk) - but don't be fooled into thinking that your garden doesn't need some TLC at this time of year.

Perhaps the most obvious problem with leaving home for a week or several, is that your plants can suffer from a lack of water in these days of constant, stifling heat. You therefore shouldn't forget to arrange for the watering of your containers and baskets by someone else, or even have a system set up that can regularly supply water to your plants. If any of your baskets or containers are continually exposed to the full sun, move them to a position of shade. Another good idea is standing terracotta pots on gravel trays that have been topped up with water, so that the reservoir of fluid can be gradually absorbed by the pots.

Another watering method is to make some holes in the lid of a plastic water bottle, before cutting off the bottom of the bottle, turning it upside down into the plant compost and finally filling it with water, which gradually makes its way into the soil. Such watering principles are equally effective on vegetable seeds. 'Grow Your Own' gardeners need to spend this month and September gathering, harvesting, bottling and jam making, although good weather still makes possible the sowing of quick maturing salad crops.

Throughout August, we continue to stock the broadest range of veg seeds, from alfalfa, asparagus and aubergine to watercress, mushrooms and tomatoes, as well as herb seeds and flower seeds from our usual assortment of in-demand manufacturers, such as Thomson and Morgan and Johnsons seeds. But August isn't just a month for planting new seeds and watering. That's because it's also a period when wisteria will need to be pruned, flowering plants regularly deadheaded and home grown vegetables harvested as they become ready.

You'll also need to ensure that your lawn still looks up to scratch, as well as that ponds and water features have been topped up. If you've bought some herb seeds, bear in mind that dill, basil and coriander are all perfect for enjoying at this time of year, in summer fish recipes and even desserts. However, we might leave you to come up with some more ideas of your own for your garden in August. Just don't forget to shop with Seeds By Post (http://www.seedsbypost.co.uk) when you're running low on any of your favourite mail order seeds!

Editor’s Note: Seeds By Post (http://www.seedsbypost.co.uk) are represented by the search engine advertising and digital marketing specialists Jumping Spider Media. Email: info@jumpingspidermedia.co.uk or call: +44 (0)20 3070 1959 / +34 952 783 637.

Veg for the Year Ahead

The most versatile month in the seed sowing calendar has arrived, or should have arrived if you'll excuse the weather. April is the ideal month to plant a wide variety of vegetable seeds, outweighing any other month due to the soil beginning to warm in the spring in the air. It’s time to get busy planting some of the wonderful vegetables you'll be enjoying at your dinner table this summer and beyond, just remember to make sure you wait until the final frost is out of the way and don't forget to cultivate an optimistic outlook for your gardens year ahead to help it on its way. Seeds By Post (http://www.seedsbypost.co.uk) would like to share with you in this blog entry some of the best veg seeds to plant right now, and some top tips for planting too:

• Root vegetables - beetroot, turnip, carrot and parsnip seeds are all ideal to sow in April. Use a loose soil to allow the roots to grow downwards freely.
• Summer salads - lettuces, endive, cress, rocket, radishes. Sow these in a well composted soil with a general fertiliser. To prevent the common disorder of 'tip burn' that can be experienced with some soils, you may wish to add lime before planting.
• Brassica crops - kale, summer and early winter cabbages, brussel sprouts, purple sprouting broccoli, calabrese and cauliflowers are among some of the easiest crops to grow, they like a well drained rich soil in partial shade. Its best to avoid growing brassicas on the same piece of ground more than one year in every three, this will help to avoid the build up of soil pests and diseases.
• Tomatoes, peppers and aubergines are ideal to plant at this time. Grow them in a location that has as much direct sun, and shelter from winds, as possible.
• Celery/celeriac - celery germination rates aren't great so sow your celery seeds in stations (5 seeds a station) a few inches apart. Then thin out all but the strongest plant that emerges from each station.
• Courgettes, squashes, cucumbers and melons are some of the most productive vegetables in the garden. They require a sunny location and fertile, moist soil. Add plenty of compost or well-rotted manure before planting.
• Herbs including basil, coriander and parsley are great around the garden border. Although many herbs produce pretty flowers that are just as tasty as the leaves, coriander and parsley should not be allowed to flower or they will set seed.

Putting work in this month will put food on the table through the summer and winter months. And don’t forget, vegetables grown from seeds taste far better than the shop bought alternatives, and at a fraction of the price. Seeds By Post (http://www.seedsbypost.co.uk) has an extensive selection of mail order seeds to plant in this key month in the gardeners calendar, paving the way for an exciting year ahead.

  

Editor’s Note: Seeds By Post (http://www.seedsbypost.co.uk) are represented by the search engine advertising and digital marketing specialists Jumping Spider Media. Email: info@jumpingspidermedia.co.uk or call: +44 (0)20 3070 1959 / +34 952 783 637.