Seed sowing

Up till now this year I've not sown any seeds, I've managed to stop myself making those far too early sowings that I usually do.
I think its due to the extra cold weather this year, it was minus 5 here last night and what with the cost of heating the greenhouse to keep out the frost, turning on the propagator as well seems a bit extravigant.
They forcast it getting a bit warmer next week, so hopefully by next week end I will be making a start, I hope so anyway.

 

I've just laid in stocks of compost, washed my seedtrays [in the dishwasher!] and sorted out somethings I can sow as soon as I've sorted out space in the green house. Spent most of today sorting out geraniums and fuschias [dissuading one from flowering because it's still quite small] and tidying up various overwintering basket plants. Priorities are tomatos and more sweet peas, green beans and broad beans are already in.
Must also put new begonia corms in.

 

I cleared off the cupboard tops in the dining room yesterday - they are now covered with pots of sweet peas. And today's job is clearing out the boiler cupboard so I can put in my trays of Tomatoes and cucumbers to germinate (and if I have room, a few other seeds too!!). We are still having frosts ( ), so the kitchen windowsill is stacked high with baby plants!!!!....... oh - and I have an old mug with some morning glory seeds in soaking on the worktop. As one tray of seeds germinate in the boiler cupboard, another takes its place!! No room for Hubby's socks to air now!!

 

I like the idea of seedtrays in the dishwasher Liz! Havn't got a dishwasher, but the wife will do! (worth a try?)

I started off Morning Glory about 2 weeks ago I think, and they are between 2 and 8 inches high now. I'm hoping they don't hit the greenhouse roof before the last frosts!

I was so taken with last years free MG seeds off a garden mag. that I decided they were a must for this year.

Today I started off Dahlia, Antirrhinum, Malva, Petunia, Aubrieta and I shall be starting off a lot more in the next week.

I decided not to plant early this year, but as I now have heat in the g/h as well as a propagator, I lost control again this year!

Oh well, the best layed plans?

 

lkooks like you get the same mags as me, DAG! I've got a very similar list to you, with a few extras!

 

is it still not too early for toms?
mine went leggy last year due to poor light i think :confused:

 

And I thought that I was the only nutter!

My favourite mag is the Gardening News weekly paper - packed with info. and cheap

Don't like Gardeners World and similar type mags. they are all glossy pictures and adverts, and so expensive?

 

Depends on what tomatoes you've got, Alan - I must admit, I follow the instructions on the packet! I'm up north, and should delay things a bit, but I find that a bit of being ready in advance doesn't hurt with a lot of plants (although I did have nasturtium trees in my house over Christmas, because I couldn't wait to get started this year - sorry! Besides, I did have an excuse - they're to go into my natural wildlife hedge this year! Honest!)

 

I had a free packet ot tomato seeds from mag. 'Grow Your Own' and it said march onwards. They are in a propagator on the sunniest side of the greenhouse, so hope they will be OK. Have also got free seeds from last years' Amateur Gardening. I've got 2colours of allium and a pretty 2 coloured oxalis so far this year, will put them all in a pot together.
I like that newspaper as well, DAG.

 

I'm already running out of space in the greenhouse, and I haven't pricked out a lot of seeds yet.

I also have a load of seeds to start so I've got to clear the decks somehow.

 

Heavens! I haven't got any near ready for pricking out- and I haven't even sent for some of the seeds I want! :(

 

Brushed, vacuumed (yes!)pressure washed and then washed down the greenhouse with JF yesterday. Sterilised and washed all the trays and pots in a big barrel of JF. Moved all the overwintering stuff into the new polytunnel so that we are ready for a flying start when we return from holiday in a couple of weeks time. We really ought to have some of our seeds sown in the propagators, but don't feel we can expect the apprentice gardener (son) to give them the TLC they'll need.
Still, don't suppose the slightly delayed start will make a lot of difference.

 

Any time in march is ok for toms, ones sown towards the end of march will probably catch up in late spring in the warmer weather, whereas the earlier ones by then can be cooled down put outside in (slight shade) on warmer days.
Toms have an annoying habit of rippening when you're on holiday so later ones are sometimes a good idea.

 

e3njoy your hols, Dave W, and ta for help

 

Looking forward to living in a propagator for a couple of weeks :D