[Teen76]

I wondered is it ok to start off things like Brassicas and other veg in pots and modules, rather than sow directly onto my plot as it seems to me that it might give them a better start.  What veg would you recommend would be ok to grow this way, or if easier recommend what I shouldn't grow this way.

[richyrich7]

Lots of people start them this way, never managed to get brassicas to grow in seed bed with out being dinner for slugs :roll:  also I always do my onion seeds this way, possibilities are endless really.

[SnooziSuzi]

I start most things off in this way (see ritchy's paper pots) becauase I don't trust my weeding - ie I might just chop the tops of them like i did with my parsnips last year thinking they were weeds  :oops:

[Teen76]

Thanks Richy and Suzi.  It seemed to be a good way to beat the slugs if I could give them a head start.

[richyrich7]

Pellets is the best way to beat the slugs  :evil:  found a slime trail in the greenhouse today sprinkling a dose of death in there tomorrow, cant use them in the garden in case the hens pick them up.

[theothermarg]

I do this with every thing except carrots! but make sure it,s hardend off well and you have to protect it well when you first plant it out cuz it,s all lush and attractive to birds and slugs
marg

[Teen76]

I have a soft spot for hedgehogs and birds and wouldn't wish them to eat the pellets.  I try not to use them unless I get p'd off with the darned slugs.

[Teen76]

It has actually been very helpful to hear that you all plant by this method as I've only just taken on a half plot and am still in the process of digging it over, and am a little behind.  Getting them started in my potting shed will help enormously I imagine plus with all the dodgy weather they may get some protection until it gets better.

Many thanks to you all for your help.

[Stripey_cat]

I do this with every thing except carrots!

Why not carrots, if parsnips will stand it?  Is it just too many pots needed?

[theothermarg]

I do this with every thing except carrots!

Why not carrots, if parsnips will stand it?  Is it just too many pots needed?

Darn good question :? I don,t know mmmm ah ,ah I,v come up with an answer carrots are easier to grow (mostly) and parsnips are harder to germinate sooo with parsnips it,s worth the trouble and messing around
so I suppose you are going to ask why beetroot when they are so easy to grow :roll:  I just dunno ( retreats for a lie down)
marg

[fivespud364]

we grow almost everything in cells or soil blocks and im even trying carrots this year as i see one of the big companies is selling carrot plugs

[matron]

I start everything off in pots or cells. Nothing hits the ground until late May at the earliest. We had a frost on 30th May last year so will probably wait until June this year.

[gobs]

I start everything off in pots or cells. Nothing hits the ground until late May at the earliest.

That's very matron-like. :shock:

A lot of stuff hits the ground here well before that time.

[Cazzy]

I'm new to this and just bunged everything into pots, i've sown some carrots and peas into Richy's paper pots but can't remember if that was something I should have done or not so I kept some back to sow direct, there is just so much to remember  :shock:

[Stripey_cat]

I,v come up with an answer carrots are easier to grow (mostly) and parsnips are harder to germinate sooo with parsnips it,s worth the trouble and messing around

Cool.  I think I'll try some early carrots now under cover...