Buying seeds online?

Simplicity would be to germinate in such a propagator in the garage. Even if its dark, many seeds do not require light to germinate, although some do.Constant temperature, humidity and no shocks is all they need. Once they are 'up', move to the greenhouse to grow on. This means you need to check them at least once a day. Try not to start them too early, as your unheated greenhouse may be too cool. Does your garage have a southfacing window that could be the 'nursery' area.? Other possibilities may occur within the house itself.

 

I've used most of the online places over the years, I'm predominantly tight fisted so I search a lot of the cheaper sellers including seed parade and bargain seeds. The quantities tend to be smaller with the cheaper ones, but do you really need half kilo of runner bean seeds or 5000 count of french marigold. It depends what you're after, fill your garden or fill everyones garden.
As for quality, I've had as many failures with the bigger companies as the smaller ones

 

Another vote here for Premier seeds. I find they give plenty in a pack - their Ammi majus pkt could have covered my garden in plants many times over! The tomato pkts are also generous.

 

Good morning infradig, I think that is probably the way I will need to go for this year anyway. The glasshouse will be at the back of the garage and there is only one small window (west facing), so probably not nearly enough for germination. Also the garage is as cold as the glasshouse will be, until I can get it insulated later this year.

The house is east (front), west, and I get a lot of light in one of the receptions rooms at the back, so I think I will start them off indoors, as you suggest and then transfer to the glasshouse when they are established. My electrician is coming soon for something else, so I will speak to him about the possibility of getting power to the glasshouse in the future (when funds are available!).

So a good practical solution to get me going, thank you for the suggestions

 

Thank you for sharing this @flounder, great advice. I am only growing for me to start with, more for practice than anything else, with excess going to neighbours etc. Then as I learn more about permaculture I will try to grow more and ensure it makes it ways to where it can directly help people, food banks etc. So you're right I don't need hundreds of seeds yet, I will focus on trying to get anything to grow now, then hone my skills moving forward.

Thank you, have a good weekend

 

Hi @CarolineL Oh, Ammi majus, I tried to grow this twice on my RHS Level 2 practical course at Hever Castle, and both pots did well, but then they both mysteriously disappeared

I had forgotten all about them, but would love to grow them here, so thank you for the recommendations for Premier Seeds and reminding me about them, off to order them now Wishing you a good weekend, albeit a bit of a wet one I think!

 

Not wishing to prejudice your electricians opinion, but can advise that you need " A RING-MAIN EXTENSION VIA A (switched) FUSED SPUR ", simple if you have a 13a socket in your garage, from which run both power and lights in the greenhouse to IP65, Damp environment.
Ball park figure would be around £160 when performed with other work

 

Thank you @infradig that is really good to know. The garage has power, a light and sockets, so hopefully it will be about the amount you mentioned.

 

Hi @Barders I had attempted and failed previously, and the tiny pkts had been expensive. The Premier ones were not only big but gave good germination. Unfortunately the plants didn't reseed themselves as I'd hoped.

 

I've used Premier Seeds in the past & I was very happy with them. Other than some tomato seeds last year I haven't bough any online for some years. Maybe I'll get some from them this year.

 

Thank you @Balc, that's good to know