Principles of seed sowing

What a good article, I am feeling a bit cheesed because the seeds I have sown this year are not doing too well!! No patience I know!

I am thinking maybe the compost wasn't ideal, I didn't use perlite and I've covered them with a plastic bag?!

Really that's my question should the trays of seeds be sealed in a plastic bag?!
They are in my cold greenhouse.

 

Out of interest, what seeds are they?

 

Well, quite a variety: not sure if you want me to list them!
I will go and check in greenhouse..

 

I was just wondering if you were being too hard on yourself and it was the seeds.

 

All mine are (until germination)

 

Hi all,

Well my borders are nearly all clear and beds nearly ready. Just not sure what to buy as in seeds

 

That rather depends upon where your interest lie and what you like plant wise. Give us a few pointers.....................

 

Hi

Well i am new to all this and its my first garden so i am not sure

Chris

 

So you want ideas for plants to sow in situ? Not the right time of year for this, but Cerinthe major is a foolproof germinator......................


It should flower and set seed this year if sown now, but performs better if the seeds germinate in the autumn for spring flowering. Not large (60cm tops) so should fit in most gardens. How much space do you have?

 

So is it now to late to sow any flower seeds?

 

No (in short). But, do you want to sow just anything, or do you want to grow something that you like?
Personally, I would start seeds off indoors or in pots as it is easier to keep an eye on them with regards to making sure that they don't dry out. Also it means that if a late frost is imminent you can move them to a protected spot.

However, here are two annuals that you can sow in situ now to bloom this year;
Nicotiana sylvestris......................


That plant still grew another 50cm at least before the frosts took it!

Cleome may be pushing it a bit, but worth the effort....................




There are lots of things that will work equally as well, but I mainly grow perennials and exotics.
Start a thread in General Gardening Discussion and you'll be inundated with ideas.

 

I was thinking of starting them off in pots first inside the house or outside

Many t

 

Start the seeds off in trays or pots inside Chris, they will germinate quicker. Windowsills are usually the best as the seedlings get most light there.

Have a look round your local garden centre for seeds to buy. The backs of the packets will tell you what you can sow now and how to start them off.

 

Hi,

Are these to small to start seeds off and once they are ready in these trays would they need to go into large trays or straight into the garden

http://www.wilko.com/seed-trays-pla...d Tray&VBMTC=ae2adcd3b8395a74f11df6e4907a60fd

Chris

 

They would be fine, once the seedlings fill them either pot on or plant out, depending on plant.