First sowing and a couple of questions??

[mew]

Hi All

Well ive started. Yesterday for the first time I sowed my first batch of seeds. I sowed some broadbean, lettuce, cabbage, marigolds and spring onion. As you can imagine i had everything crossed, and will stay crossed until I see the first signs of life.... hopefully!

The marigolds are sitting on my windowsill wrapped in some clingfilm, all the rest are in my greenhouse. I just wondered if this would be fine leaving them there as its unheated (the thermometer yesterday was reading 12 degrees) or am I best putting them somewhere warmers until theyve started to germinate?

My early pots are chitting nicely too in my windowsill but ive read you dont need to chit your mains. These are currently sitting in my cupboard under the stairs where theres no light but I noticed yesterday that theyve starting sprouting shoots, some are about an inch long. Is this what normally happens if you dont chit them and when am I best putting them into the ground? help help help

Also (silly first timer question alert) on reading various books its mentions sowing different crops, e.g cauli / leeks etc in nursery/seed beds and transplant into final position. I dont really have room for a nursery/seed bed as such as my plot isnt all that large so instead of using a nursey/seed bed could I use seed trays / pots instead? The reason I ask is that Im a little concerned as to the depth some seeds may need (hence the use of a bed rather than a tray/pot) and also the interference of transplanting them into larger pots once germinated etc. Any help would be much appreciated.

Thanks as always Michelle (MEW)

[the.fee.fairy]

don't worry about the silly quesions - we all have them!!

I tend to plant the seeds that can be transplanted into seed trays first ( i use the celled trays), then put them in the ground. There are a lot that don't like ot be transplanted though - mainly root crops such as parsnip/turnip. BUT, having said that, there was a discussion a little while ago about planting them in toilet roll insides and then planting the whole thing in the ground. That seems like a sensible idea!

[mew]

Thanks Fee Fairy

Yes I happened upon that discussion. Ive planted the broadbeans in some toilet rolls and ive experimented on soaking half overnight in some water too as ive read overnight soaking for large seeds helps them germinate, so i'll see what happens.

Dyou think the seeds ive planted will be okay in the unheated greenhouse of dyou think it might be too cold?

thanks again

PS have you used any of the smellies I sent in exchange for your seeds?

[Wombat]

G'Day Michelle,

Is that 12 deg C or F?

Nev

[ohareward]

Hi Michelle, Those seedlings that you have put in your cupboard, when they start sprouting I would bring them out into the light as they will grow long and lanky and will lack vigour. When you plant seedlings in pots prior to planting out, leave them in the pots until they are about 15cm(6in) high. When you plant out cauli/cab/ broccoli put some straw mulch around the plants. It not only helps with moisture, but also helps to hold the plants up so that they don't loll all over.
You can also start seedlings in pots and then put them into plastic bags so that the moisture is kept in. As soon as they start sprouting take them out of the bags as they need light.
Robin.

[the.fee.fairy]

Mew: yes, the smellies are lovely, I use the jelly thingy in the shower after a hard day, it smells divine!! not use the heart yet, i'm waiting til i've got some time to lay in the bath and enjoy it properly!!

I've put some seeds in my unheated greenhouse, i've got my fingers crossed. i have a habit of sticking seeds in soil and hoping really...

[mew]

Fee Fairy - so glad you're enjoying the smellies. Thanks for the tips again - will take these on board

Hi Nev - thats 12 degrees C (but this morning outside its reading in my car 6 degrees C, but didnt have time to check the temp in the greenhouse (will check when I get home from work this evening)

Hi Robin - Thanks for the info. I will get spud seeds out and put them in a windowsill as soon as I get home. Will I need to rub off the long sproutings, or dyou think they'll be ok as they are? I was thinking of planting my spuds in the next 4 weeks or so. Is that about right dyou think? I think I might put the trays in some plastic bags as you said to keep in the moisture until they start bobbin their heads up through the soil

Really dont know what id do sometimes if it wasnt for SSSish and everyones willingness to offer so much help and advice. Sometimes I think I worry too much.... just want to do my best

[Masco&Bongo]

I'm new to growing too!

My peas have started to sprout today.

I've had them in an unheated greenhouse for a week or so. At night I've been covering them with fleece, and uncovering them during the day for light etc.

I know that the greenhouse hasn't been much above 12 degrees (if that!!), so I'm really pleased that things have started to germinate.

Sadly nothing from my peppers, chilli's or tomato trays yet - keeping my fingers crossed!

[ohareward]

Hi Michelle, The time to put in spuds depends on wether they are earlies or main crop. Our earlies are put in about the beginning of October so that we have new spuds for Xmas. Main crop about a month later. ( Remember there is 6 months difference between hemispheres). They take a bit longer to mature. You can leave them in the ground longer after the tops have died down. If you have comfrey put in bottom of trench. It does not matter how long the sprouts on the spuds are as long as they are sprouting. But don't put the spuds in direct sunlight, but as long as it is light and airy.
Robin

[Christine]

Hi, Michelle
I've just happened on this discussion, so this may be too late but I wanted to say - Don't rub off the shoots from your mains! They'll be just fine as they are. Last year, I was very late picking up seed pots and they were all leggy, pale shoots and slightly mildewy but they still did well.

I'm in Sheffield and seed pots were only delivered last week to the allotment shop, so quite a way to go till they're chitted and ready to plant. The usual advice is not to plant out till after frost is over. As my allotment is a bit of a frost trap, I'd be waiting for a bit longer.

[mew]

Hi Christine

thanks for your post. Nope you werent too late. I havent rubbed off the shoots and they're all sitting on my windowshill and have starting turning a nice purply colour.

Just wondered when folks were planning in putting their spuds this year, earlies and mains?

Thanks

MEW

[Christine]

Mine will go in as soon as they are chitted - but I reckon that's about 3-4 weeks away.

Advice is to put them in once the 'danger of frost' is past (hah!)
I was very late with mine last year but they were absolutely fine. I think they are very forgiving.