[Christian]

Hi Guys

been reading around and it seems most people sow their seeds indoors and the transplant them outside once grown.  I intend to plant sow directley ourdoors as not having a greenhouse.  Do you think that I am going to have problems or will it just mean that I will need to sow later.

cheers  

[muntjac]

stick to the packets advice mate and then add 2 weeks for the nth of the country . look at the weather week and then choose a day that has sun and dry light winds .followed by more of the same , blooming orrible trying to sow carrots in a gale . you can sow brassicas etc in a tray sized area  outsiide and then transplant to final site same as leeks  

[supersprout]

Perhaps you can compromise Christian?

Before I had a greenhouse, I'd start some seeds (tomatoes, chillis, sweetcorn, cabbage etc.) in small root trainers that would fit on the windowsill (and still do). The issue with windowsills was having enough of them! Eventually I found the 'ideal' job for me - with this model I can fit nearly 200 seedlings (of one kind or another) in one layer on one windowsill :shock: - layered, you could get double or treble the number!
http://www.organiccatalog.com/catalog/product_info.php?cPath=55&products_id=2037

Once the plants were up and running, I'd put them outdoors during the day and indoors during the night to harden them off, then plant out on the plot. Total time in the plant trainers is 5-6 weeks, but it does get the seedlings off to a healthy start.

Now I can take the seedlings in their tray to the greenhouse and leave them there a little longer, so it's not much different, just a little less faffing.

I always sow beans direct outdoors, after soaking overnight and keeping between damp flannels til they just sprout. But I like to keep my eye on some seedlings as they get started, and this way works for me

Oh, I've also used home made seed tapes (flour and water paste on newspaper strips) to get even rows of e.g. spinach, carrot and beetroot - saves a lot of time out on the plot. Not for a windy day though

[Axe Victim]

With these here 'home-made' seed strips...when do you make them? Is there a danger of them germinating (in the flour and water paste)  before they are ready for planting?

 :shock:

[supersprout]

I make them a week or so before I plan to sow.
It's best IMO to set them out on a rainy day - scrape a drill, pop in the tape, and cover.
No danger of pregermination - the 'wet' period only lasts a couple of hours.
Here they are drying on the countertop!

[muntjac]

blimey the grammers wrong ,,, all them full stops  :roll:

[supersprout]

lol that's morse code for seeds munty