Allotment Gardening Advice Help Chat

Growing => Growing in Greenhouses & Polytunnels => Topic started by: hubballi on March 04, 2011, 18:34

Title: Can I sow in an unheated greenhouse ?
Post by: hubballi on March 04, 2011, 18:34
Got my new greenhouse lean to up and ready but no heater. Can I start sowing things now like Beetroot, Radish, Onions (sets in pots), Chard and salad ? I know the temp isn't yet right for germination but having the seed ready in the pots won't do any harm I hope.

Title: Re: Can I sow in an unheated greenhouse ?
Post by: DD. on March 04, 2011, 18:52
Seed won't just sit there waiting for the right conditions to pop up, it's quite happy sitting there quietly rotting.

Having said that, the onions will be quite OK in pots and you could try an early sowing of radish & lettuce, the seed is cheap enough.

You have to bear in mind that we could have a few real cold nights yet.
Title: Re: Can I sow in an unheated greenhouse ?
Post by: azubah on March 04, 2011, 19:30
I have broad beans germinating in my cold greenhouse.
I sowed them a week or two ago and tipped one out today to see what was happening so I know they have not rotted.
I also have cabbage seedlings coming up.

I sowed a few lettuces and peas but have not seen anything happening with them yet.
My greenhouse is not in the best spot as it does not get sun in the afternoon.
On sunny days I put my tomato seedlings out for an hour or two.
Title: Re: Can I sow in an unheated greenhouse ?
Post by: hubballi on March 05, 2011, 11:39
When you sow your Peas, B Beans, Cabbage, do you use Innes number one or normal multi purpose ?
Title: Re: Can I sow in an unheated greenhouse ?
Post by: mumofstig on March 05, 2011, 13:59
 I use multipurp, but if it's really twiggy i'll sieve it a bit first
Title: Re: Can I sow in an unheated greenhouse ?
Post by: azubah on March 05, 2011, 19:08
multi purpose.
Title: Re: Can I sow in an unheated greenhouse ?
Post by: Ghost on March 07, 2011, 09:46
I'm growing lettuce and spring onion in mine. They seem to be doing well.
Title: Re: Can I sow in an unheated greenhouse ?
Post by: hubballi on March 07, 2011, 19:45
I went out an bought John Innes Number one for seed sowing and Multipurpose for later potting on. I thought the Number one gave your seeds a better start as they don't need food at the first stages of growth.

Soaking my peas and beans in a tray of water before planting to get them sprouting.