So What? When? & Where!

When do you all start sowing your seeds? I know some of the seeds I've bought it says to sow in Jan onwards but just wondered if it makes much difference than Feb/Mar time

Helen

 

I found if I sow too early in the house they may grow leggy. I sow my toms end of feb in the house and transfer to heated greenhouse April. I suppose it depends on how much light they get. Shortest day today.

 

I always used to sow seed according to the packet advise, but after a while I found out that in most cases they tell you to sow far to early. I dont think its much use sowing anything, apart from the odd exotic that takes ages to germinate or hardy seed that needs stratification, before mid feb. and then only under cover.
One exeption, I always sowed onion seed in the g/house at the beginning of jan.
I agree with hans, if you sow too early it all gets long and leggy, without some sort of artificial lighting.
Nine times out of ten a later sowing will catch up an early one.

 

I would agree - I used to sow seed (flower not veggie) in the heated greenhouse end of January beginning of February, but I got stronger plants leaving it til the end of February beginning of March and were about the same time when big enough for planting.

 

I think we all get conned by those early supermarket/garden centre bedding plants and expect our seedlings to be as big at the same time. Much better to have smaller sturdy plants than wimpy things that keel over with a late frost or early dry spell.

Last year was a dull cold wet spring up here and I ended up re-sowing some annuals in April/May which did far better than the February ones which mostly damped off.

 

Seed potatoes looking well, nice & green with short spruts,ready to set in 5 weeks time in the green house of course.

E.W.

 

i ve grabbed a few tatties from greengrocer, kerrs pinks and golden wonder, but will buy most of my seed online

 

Heated greenhouse Ewal? Very cold here in Mid Wales in fact colder this year than the last few. have moved tender favourites into shed and greenhouse.
Hi, Gardening Newbie, As mentioned above we can't compete with the garden centres as their plants are probably grown in warmer climes, I always grow too many seedlings 1/4 packet is enough sometimes, I pick the strongest and the rest go in the compost heap. I found Nice deep trays are essential, and prick out fairly early otherwise they fight each other for light. good luck.

 

Hello Hans,
No it is a cold greenhouse but large 40x20 protected on the east by a tall hedge & a steep hill. I've been growing early potatoes in it for the last 10 years but in that time we have'nt had a severe winter so I'm wondering how this will turn out. I divide the space into four & rotate them, I set tomatoes diagonally thus keeping them as far apart as possible.
E.W.