I really like devising little experiments, like trying out different composts (see http://kfonmebike.blogspot.com/2010/05/this-years-experiments.html: comparing peat and peat-free compost and sowing depths and http://kfonmebike.blogspot.com/2009/04/experiment.html, an earlier peat and peat-free comparison). This spring I've tried comparing coir compost (below left) with New Horizon (below right). The seedlings are (from the back): French Marigold, Calendula, Sorrel, Spinach, Oriental Salad, Mixed Salad, Lettuces 'Little Gem', 'May Queen', 'Marvel of Four Seasons', and finally Cabbage 'Offenham 2'. All sown 19.3.11, with vermiculite to lighted the growing media.
At the moment the New Horizon definitely has bigger plants, but the coir seedlings are nice and uniform and germination rates seem slightly better. The coir seems easier to keep moist too. Both trays are in my mini-greenhouse on a sheltered corner.
A few weeks earlier I'd set up another little experiment, comparing my windowsill and this mini-green house for raising early seeds. It's not totally a 'fair test' as they are in different containers, but they are in the same compost and both face south.
Large lettuce seedlings in the windowsill batch (above) and (below) smaller seedlings in the mini-greenhouse.
Below - both together for comparison (the empty modules are French Marigold and Basil, both rather elderly seed. A small lesson!)
Just because the windowsill plants are much bigger isn't necessarily a good thing. they are now out in the mini-greenhouse to harden off and are suffering rather, due to the fluctuation in temperature. Sometimes it may be best to have slower-grown, tougher seedlings.
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