Seed sowing plans

I've just taken delivery of a Garland super seven heated Propogator and over the weekend I'll be planning out my seed sowing for the coming season as I intend growing lots of veg and flowers this year...from seed.

I know Kristen posted a spreadsheet last year of his sowing/planting out plans (which I have a copy of) but I wondered if anyone else has anything along the same sort of lines or if anyone has any tips/good advice in regards to succesful sowing that the forum could discuss here...thereby arming everyone in advance?

Steve...

 

Many thanks John, a great resource!

Steve...

 

I have a rough plan together now, for just the edibles and I have put it online so it can be viewed and commented on. It shows what I intend to grow/need to order and the timings are all from the back of their respective seed packets.

Sowing Plan

Would anyone advise starting any of these seeds off earlier?
Can perhaps the dwarf beans be started earlier, and grown on to crop earlier in the greenhouse?
Can anyone recommend a reliable, disease resistant cucumber for greenhouse growing?

Steve...

 

Thanks John...I'll have a look in at wilkies nearer the time for cucs.

Greenhouse is not heated at present, but will be shortly after I have got a new wick for my heater, then I'll have to have a play and see what I can grow/crop.

The sowing plan above was made in excel and if anyone wants a copy to help create their own plan then please pm me your email address and I'll mail you a copy..then you can adjust for your own requirements. Saves a bit of time on creating your own!!

Steve...

 

If you want something a little different try cyrstal lemon ...really do look a bit like lemons...nice crisp taste and vigerous even did ok outdide here in lancashire. as for seed planners be careful with them dont forget to factor in changes for weather...i like to go with my gut

 

Just to add a little extra cucumber cyrstal lemon somtimes known as cyrstal apple.

Grew that one in the greenhouse this year almost filled a 8 X 6 with 2 plants, I have grown it outside in the past with no problems.



Trevor

 

Nothing will be going out in the garden until after our local last frost date, and all will be hardened off prior to that. I wish I could go by "gut" feeling but its only my second year growing edibles so I still have much to learn, hence why I started this topic to have people chime in with their gut instincts, knowledge and experience. The chart I made is a reminder and workplan for me...something to aim for.

Last year I had forgotten to buy and sow cucumber seeds until it was too late. A quick plea on freecycle got me two different plants, one of which died fairly quickly, the second tried to bear many fruits but only one got longer than an inch (2.5 inches) and that was it. This year I know what seeds to buy now and can raise the plants from that myself, discard first few fruits and all should be well...fingers crossed!

I'll keep records for a few years until it becomes second nature, if it ever does.

I was looking at the chrystal lemon and another similar cuc (F1 Sunsweet) the other day, but will leave that for next year I think.

Steve...

 

Your plan is very impressive, Steve. I have one from Dobies which gives a large range of veggies and I use that one as a guide. Yours is of course personalised.
My own veggie chart just has columns for "date sown", "germinated" etc. and shows the successes and failures over the season.
I tend to grow veggies that I like and which like my garden conditions. I'm on my third year of growing so I know pretty well what will grow well and what won't. My best things are potatoes, leeks, mangetout peas, runner beans and lettuce. My onions are always tiny and spring onions are hopeless too - don't know why.
I haven't done tomatoes or sweet peppers since the first year because you can't leave them, and we go off for weekends during the summer (no friendly watering neighbours around, unfortunately).
New things I will be trying this year are asparagus peas (I like the sound of them) and chillies; also herbs such as parsley, lemon balm, peppermint and maybe chamomile.

 

I've never used a heated propagator Steve. I find seeds germinate perfectly well in a seed tray or pot on the windowcill.
I tend to go with the gut feeling method. I just get that this is an auspiciious day to be planting whatever feeling.
I know it's only january but so far all I have planted is peanuts and chillies.
I have harvested my ginger but still have the roots to replant - waiting for an auspicious day.
I'll be starting quite a lot of stuff in February - on the days when that feeking comes on me.
Other stuff will wait until March or April. There's a limit to what I can keep indoors.
I expect the result of all this to be good.
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