Seeds

Discussion in 'General Gardening Discussion' started by Kayleigh, Feb 20, 2013.

  1. Kayleigh

    Kayleigh Kayleigh M Solomon

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    Hello everybody!
    My nan has gave me lots of seeds and I just wondered if anybody has any tips to get a really good and successful harvest/flower.

    The seeds she has given me are:

    Pumpkin 'Jack O'Lantern'
    Pumpkin 'Mammoth'
    Courgette 'De Nice a Fruit Rond'
    Courgette 'All Green Bush'
    Squash 'Patty Pan Custard White'
    Kohl Rabi 'Purple Vienna'
    Spinach 'Matador'
    Fennel 'Fino'
    Radicchio 'Palla Rossa'
    Swiss Chard 'Bright Lights'
    Onion 'Bedfordshire Champion'
    Lettuce 'Salad Bowl'
    Lettuce 'Salad Leaf'
    Broccoli 'Purple Sprouting'
    Leek 'Musselburgh'
    Carrot 'Early Nantes'
    Beet root 'Boltardy'
    Cabbage 'Greyhound'
    Celery 'Lathom Self Blanching Galaxy'

    Cleome 'Violet Queen'
    Bellis 'Monstrosa Mixed'
    Sweet William 'Tall Single Mixed'
    Echinacea

    Oh my lord there is so many ... :heehee:
     
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    • stephenprudence

      stephenprudence GC Weather Guru

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      Is that all of them or is there more hiding ? You won't be starving this autumn :dbgrtmb:
       
    • Kayleigh

      Kayleigh Kayleigh M Solomon

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      There might be a few hiding lol
       
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      • stephenprudence

        stephenprudence GC Weather Guru

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        We'll if you do add them on here... You'll have a 100 packets soon!
         
      • nFrost

        nFrost Head Gardener

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        I've got Leek 'Musselburgh' and have just sown them in seed trays now, will be planting them near my carrots. Supposedly they help each other
         
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        • JWK

          JWK Gardener Staff Member

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          That is a big list!

          All I can say is to get organised, I use a spreadsheet but a pen and paper is just as good to group together those seeds with similar germination requirements (light & heat). Then plan when you have to get them sown. You don't need to do them all at once. You can sow successively over a month or two at this time of year using one or two propagators. So you'll be first of all sowing those that need starting in Feb/March.

          Also some veggies you can sow successively over the season, so for instance sow half a dozen lettuce seeds now, then repeat in a months time, etc, etc. That give you a few lettuces over the whole season rather than a glut all at once.

          Once they germinate you can move them out (pricking out), which means transplanting the seedlings into bigger trays or pots. The more hardy stuff like lettuce and spinach can then go straight outside into the greenhouse for a few more weeks before you harden them off and plant in their final positions.

          The tender ones (like pumpkin) will need to be kept in your house, so delay sowing these until late April/early May when the weather is improving and there wil be little risk in them getting cold when they need to go outdoors.

          I tend to start most of my seeds in pots in a propagator, but some seedlings dislike transplanting, in your list all I can see are carrots that prefer direct sowing in the soil.

          Get a quality seed compost (like Westlands John Innes Seed Compost), get some seed sowing modules and keep everything clean. Write out labels with the variety and sowing date and stick these in your pots before you sow. I usually prepare everything first then sow at the end with clean hands so I don't risk mixing up seeds.

          Of course you also need to plan the space for your final planting, pumpkins need a lot of room for example.

          Well sorry if this all sounds a bit basic, they are all from mistakes I made in the past :) It sounds fun though and I enjoy the planning almost as much as the eating when it comes to veg. There will be a bit of hard work inbetween too :)
           
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          • Tee Gee

            Tee Gee Gardener

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            I could go on to discuss most of those on your list, but considering I have already written about them in detail on my website I think it would be simpler for both of us for me to just direct you to my site;

            http://www.thegardenersalmanac.co.uk

            I would suggest you use the alphabetical index to find them.

            Best of luck....Tg
             
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            • Val..

              Val.. Confessed snail lover

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              Pray for good weather!!!! :love30:
               
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              • clueless1

                clueless1 member... yep, that's what I am:)

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                Out of that list, I've only grown the Chard 'Bright Lights'. Best sow it sooner rather than later as its a bit slow to start.

                Sow a lot more than you think you'll need, because I think its best to harvest it regularly as young leaves. It is a delicious alternative to lettuce. It gets a bit bitter as it matures, and all sorts of things like to eat it. Don't hide it away. The colours really are stunning, it should be on display.
                 
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