lupin sowing

Hello everyone, this is my first post. I've been looking at the forum for a while as I recently moved into a house with a garden, which I've never really had before. Last year was my first year, managed to grow a few spuds and a great crop of leeks, with a bit of lettuce and courgette too. I am very excited for spring to roll around so I can get cracking on another year!

I've been trying to improve the largely neglected garden. I've got some lupin seeds, as they caught my eye and am told they are quite easy low maintenance - my main difficulty will be stopping them spreading (right?)
My question is, how successful am I likely to be if I just sprinkle the seeds on the soil now? I'd rather save my efforts and potting compost for the veg I plan to grow.

Another question, would rhubarb do ok under a small apple tree (on the north side)? Best described as heavily dappled shade all day. Maybe 2 hours direct sun at best in the afternoon. I got a few potatoes out of that space last year, but noticeably smaller than those in the better positions. (Nurturing rhubarb from seed though, willing to put much more effort in than with the lupins!)

Attached a pic of my raised bed, under the care of my prize winning(!) scarecrow based on Mr McGregor of the Peter Rabbit books

 

Personally, I would leave it another six weeks before sowing them. Usually sown in late autumn or early spring. I'd need a Black and Decker to sow them here at the moment.

 

I put some lupins in rootrainers then planted them out in spring.

 

@dayonedisc Lupins I would start in small pots on a window sill inside at the end of Feb early Mar and then plant out when they get to look like lupin plants. Lupin seed has a hard coat so can germinate quicker if you scratch the seed coat with sandpaper or a nail file.
Rhubarb I wouldn't grow from seed, but get a rhubarb crown or small plant from a garden centre or somewhere like B&Q. This will get established this year and you can probably take a small crop in 2024.
Rhubarb likes a deep fertile soil that doesn't get too dry; so under the apple tree is not a good place. Also will take a bit of light shade, but really needs more than a couple of hours sun a day.

 

Welcome to the forum @dayonedisc and congratulations on the scarecrow- he looks just like my dad if he scrubs up

Lupins are definitely better to start indoors, it's not a hassle at all but rather fun to watch them germinate and grow. If you have a bright windowsill (or grow lights) they can be sown around now, if the light is lower I'd wait a bit to avoid them growing leggy and weak. They'll probably flower next year or with any luck, late this summer.

It would be nice to follow the development of your new garden, please do post updates and photos if you have time.

 

I'd put rhubarb the west side of your compost bin; you are having one I hope?

 

Thanks for your responses. Sounds like I need to rethink my rhubarb plot at least.

Yes I've got a compost area, and got some mulch out of it last year. Recently filled it with fresh manure, but it doesn't seem to be doing much. Hope it speeds up once the weather turns as I was hoping to be able to use some of it for planting out end of may

 

Welcome dayonedisc. If you have problems with slugs and snails it's best to start Lupins inside and plant out once they are at least 6in/15cm tall, or you'll find they disappear very quickly.

 

Rhubarb would just love to be in the soil below the right hand box behind the themalite blocks.
Presuming the lighter coloured heap is the new manure ? Would blend that with layers of green material and generate some heat. It appears to be bound with woodshavings, this will rot, given time, but is best when used as a compost component, in my experience. Minimum practical size would be a 'pallet' sized cube.(80cm3)