New to gardening

Hi everyone,
This is my very first post, so I hope I have put it in the right place.
I am a new gardener (got my garden just last year) and have had a few successes this year but not many so I thought I would ask some questions before next year comes around. I have done some research and bought some books but I am still confused about some things....
I intend to grow flowers from seeds in my brand new greenhouse for hanging baskets and beds.
(1) Do I really need a greenhouse heater? If so, which is the best non-electric type to buy? I am disabled and therefore it needs to be easy to use. Any greenhouse tips you can give me will be gratefully recieved.
(2) I know that I have to use seed compost when I first sow the seeds but do I need to use other compost when I prick them out or just continue using seed compost?
(3) I've read that you can place your trays of seeds in plastic bags and leave them but no one says how often you should water seedlings.
(4) When should I take the trays out of the plastic bags?
(5) When I transfer some of the plants to hanging baskets and tubs, again which compost should I use?
(6) I keep hearing the words vermiculite and perlite on gardening programs and I have read about them but am still confused about whether I should add either one to seed compost, or any other compost.
Finally, I have successfully managed to grow canterbury bells from seed (my very first seeds) on my window cill but the packet does not say when to plant them into the garden.
Thank you in advance for any advise you can give
Annie

 

Welcome to Gardeners corner

 

Thanks Zigs, nice to be here

 

I'm just veg & wildflowers Dept. but there will be others to answer your questions soon.

With seed compost, its very fine, so there are others to pot on into, with better drainage etc. I usually pot on into a multi purpose compost.

 

Hi Zigs,
I have to admit I am really confused about the different types of compost

 

Hi Armandi,
Thank you for the welcome.
Yes, I'll be doing it in spring - I don't fancy my chances of trying to do something over winter as I am disabled and cannot do much in the winter.

 

Welcome to GC, Auntpol Well done on growing your Canterbury Bells; tried once, failed, then other aspects of life took over and gardening was put on the back burner (until more recently).

Looking forward to getting to know you across the forum

 

Hi Mum,
I must admit that I was really suprised at how well the canterbury bells have done. I sowed 30 seeds and only 16 germinated, but they are a lot bigger than the plants I ordered last year from jparkers. I still don't know when to plant out the canterbury bells. At the moment I am putting them outside as we have such lovely weather but bringing them indoors at night. I don't even know if thats what I am supposed to be doing.

 

I have no idea, Auntpol; the only thing I do know is, they are summer flowering plants and should be at their prime in the garden now; or a bit earlier than now?

You had a slightly greater than 50% success rate with those seeds: I would call that great!!!

I do think the rule of thumb is, that you plant them out when the danger of frost has passed (which was a while ago). At this point, I can't help wondering if they are now going into their downtime mode? After all, we're heading now into Autumn.

 

Hi Mum,
The packet said sow seeds in june/july (which I did) for flowering the following year.

Last year the plugs that I got from Jparkers arrived in october or november (can't remember exactly and lost the invoice) and I planted them straight away. Parkers only send plants out at the time they are meant to go in the garden so I know that even if I had ordered them early they would have arrived at the right time.

They bloomed in april but were totally destroyed by a hail storm. We had hail storms the size of golfballs which punched holes in my neighbours greenhouse but didn't leave a mark on mine which is just over the fence. Luck or what!

I am presuming that because last years were planted oct/nov? that is what I should do again this year. But I don't know how much difference a few weeks will make. If I plant them early october and they shouldnt be planted till late october/early november how much difference will it make to how they do?

 

I have just recieved an email saying Anthony posted but its not appearing here.

Anthony, I cannot use an electric one because (a) the greenhouse is too far from the house and (b) I am disabled and have to beware trip hazards.

Thanks for the suggestions ... in wilkinsons end of season sale I got ...
Busy Lizzie
Lobelia
Marigolds
Petunia
Verbena
impatiens
anagallis
tagetes
geranium
morning glory
nasturtium
aubrieta
gazania
rudbeckia
I know I went a bit overboard but i figured that (a) I am bound to have some failures and (b) I can give some away if I have to.
Thanks for the advise on compost/vermicite. I will be sure to follow instructions.

 

I don't think you'll need a heater as all of these can be started in the spring when the greehouse itself will give them as much protection as they need. Or if you sowed any in Feb (which I never find very successfully anyway) you could consider using a sunny windowsill indoors.

Your other alternative is a paraffin stove - needs refilling with paraffin fairly often. Quite a ticklish job unless you have some help, maybe? I don't find it easy coordinating lid, bottle, funnel and stove.

 

Hi Madahhlia,
Glad to know the concensus is that I won't need a heater if I'm sowing in spring.

I have just thought of another question thou. I was considering getting one of those automatic vent openers for the greenhouse. But considering how long the plants will be in the greenhouse before they are planted out I'm not sure if I need one. What do you think.