[gorymorph]

if i sow seeds now, such as sweet corn, cabbage, cauliflower etc can i sow seeds straight in the ground or can i start them of in seed trays in the conservatory, to give them that bit better start and plant out later 

[Yorkie]

Cabbage and Cauliflower don't like too much warmth so start them off outdoors (probably better in pots to protect them from slugs etc, and particularly if you have club root problems on your plot).  Make sure you net them against cabbage white butterflies as soon as they go outdoors, irrespective of size.

I would personally start sweetcorn off indoors even now as it's a tender plant and will appreciate the extra warmth and protection.

[barney rubble]

if i sow seeds now, such as sweet corn, cabbage, cauliflower etc can i sow seeds straight in the ground or can i start them of in seed trays in the conservatory, to give them that bit better start and plant out later 

i sowed my cauli and summer cabbage outdoors in seed cells in early April - they are all now showing their second set of leaves and are hardy from the experience. Might have been lucky with the weather and my growing position, but outdoors for these two - sweetcorn  take advice of others

[Jay Dubya]

Hi, and of course the big bonus of sowing outdoors, no hardening off.

[barney rubble]

Hi, and of course the big bonus of sowing outdoors, no hardening off.

yes - I'm new to veg growing, no choice in my conditions, so have to grow outdoors. i might have been lucky this time, but have germination results on every seed packet sown so far....beginners luck eh?!  It might all end in tears if nothing more than seedlings appear....

[daveypark]

I also start sweetcorn off indoors but soak them on wet tissue paper for a few days to see which seed is viable first.