seeds
Last post 13-03-2012 9:24 AM by lillyrose. 24 replies.
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17/01/2012 01:27 PM
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- Keith
- Epsom
- 30 Dec 2011
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16
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Good afternoon all garden lovers. with cold feet and hands I have dived in doors and am rummaging through my seed collection. Is any body sowing seeds at the moment and if so what???
I have a propergator which I keep on a radiator beneath a south facing window.
I'm dying to get going as the days gradually lengthen.
I would love to hear what are you up to??????
Many thanks
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17/01/2012 03:36 PM
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- Susiq
- Northumberland
- 16 Feb 2008
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3,125
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Hi Keith
I think we are all getting 'itchy green fingers' as usual this time of year Yesterday I started off 3 different varieties of chillies and some sweetpeas in my indoor propagator (which is exactly the same position as yours!) - up here in the frozen North, chillies can be a very hit and miss affair! I have also sown some hollyhock seeds, I'm not sure if they will flower in year one not?
I need to get up into the polytunnel to start digging my leek trenches, this is my first attempt at growing them for show, so it will be very much trial and error I guess.
Loads of things I want to get started on, but I guess we really do have to try and be patient and not get carried away! What are you planning on sowing?
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17/01/2012 04:11 PM
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Hi. Have started the first batch of celeriac. Also got some 'rocket' spuds chitting, they will go out under black fabric then plastic and fleece cloches, next week or so.
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17/01/2012 11:03 PM
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- 07 Nov 2006
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2,412
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Hi Tim.
SE London, NW Kent. Hey mate. We might be neighbours. I'm in Eltham.
Mike.
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18/01/2012 05:37 AM
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- Julie
- London
- 28 Apr 2009
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410
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My hollyhocks have never bloomed the first year. I haven't started any seeds yet as I still have lots of forced bulbs on my windowsill but when they are finished in February I will get started. Last year I started my tomatoes too late so this year I'm determined to get those going asap.
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18/01/2012 03:24 PM
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- Keith
- Epsom
- 30 Dec 2011
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16
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Hollyhocks will never flower in the first year and can be sown later in the year i.e summer. they form that lovley rosete and can be planted where you want them to flower. the plant will do this in nature so we follow her tip. I am interested to see how your early sowings get on Susiq, keep us posted.
I have arranged my seeds into which month they should be sown, on the seed packet. March is going to be a busy month but there are a few I have sorted for january Mainly herbs but also a few ornamental grasses which I think can be quite striking in a mixed pot display. Also tomatos never too early as you have experienced Julie and I'm going to give cauliflower a go this year. any advice welcome
Keith
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18/01/2012 03:53 PM
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Since we are talking seeds on this thread, I have just got some Tomatillo seeds free with a gardening mag. Has anyone any advice on them please
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18/01/2012 04:59 PM
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- Keith
- Epsom
- 30 Dec 2011
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16
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Lillyrose,
Sow February to April Harvest August to September. Tomatillo is becoming very popular, it is easy to grow, heavy cropping, fruits are used in salsa and Mexican cuisine. Tomatillo is grown the same way as tomato and prefers warm growing conditions, they can be grown outdoors in a warm sheltered spot after hardening off but will prefer the warmth of a greenhouse. Fruits are about the size of a large cherry tomato and are covered in a thin paper husk. Tomatillo is not self-fertile you must have a minimum of 2 plants to get fruits.
Hope this helps
Regards
Keith
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18/01/2012 05:12 PM
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Thank you Keith, that was very helpful . I have a greenhouse so will grow them in there. I am looking forward to giving them a go, I do like trying new things. I will let you know how they do later in the year
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18/01/2012 06:58 PM
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- kaydee
- Perthshire
- 15 Feb 2009
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269
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Sowing?! I haven't got through the catalogues yet... Oh! Temptation, thy name is Chilterns'
Nice thread for the forum . K
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22/01/2012 12:44 PM
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Hi Yes I am in new eltham but allotments in Harland Avenue Sidcup.
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22/01/2012 07:24 PM
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- Snark
- Suffolk
- 12 Jan 2011
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281
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I used to always start onions on NY day which is traditional but they always get leggy before it is warm enough for them even in the greenhouse. I will be getting them going soon though in the tortoise vivarium (he is still in hibernation)Then its aubergines and peppers in the propagator. The problem is always light. My other half is an expert on led lights and tells me that affordable led based systems will be with us soon running at low wattage as well so cheaper to run than any of the existing systems.Can't come soon enough for me as I'm always impatient in winter.
For the Snark was a boojum you see
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26/01/2012 08:08 PM
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- Keith
- Epsom
- 30 Dec 2011
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16
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Really interesting stuff about the led systems . keep us all informed. I use a wind up tourch to keep my seedlings aluminated while they are on the top of the radiator. This works well as plants will photosynthsise with any light source as I'm sure your aware. lookin your garden and the plants are already responding to the extra day light. lapping it up and trying to bulk out.
I am sure we will get a really cold snap and even some late snow but nothing like the last couple of years which in Surrey have been more that harsh.
Keep going and keep growing.
Roll on Spring
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30/01/2012 09:49 AM
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- Keith
- Epsom
- 30 Dec 2011
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16
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Any theroies or practice tips on germination in the airing cupboard?
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01/02/2012 09:49 PM
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- Snark
- Suffolk
- 12 Jan 2011
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281
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Depends on a)how well insulated your tank is. (may not be all that warm if your lagging is good) b)the light factor. Some seeds will germinate in the dark but some need light.Anything which says put a newspaper over the seed tray will be fine.I find busy lizzies germinate much better if I dont start them too early and think that this is because they need more light. In fact plants are quite fussy about wavelength for light responses and also need very high intensities compared with what we get by on indoors. I suspect your wind up torch does have led's with the right spectrum but I'm surprised it has enough intensity. Even good old tungsten filament bulbs arent much use and compact fluorescents are rubbish. The "sunlight"fluorescent tube sold as reptigrow in my tortoise viv.is better than room light but still not great and anyway I'll need to wake him up soon and he is not seedling compatible.
For the Snark was a boojum you see
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