[PeterR]

Hi there fellow gardeners, I would like some advice for a newbie veggie grower.

I am growing most of my veggies from seed, and would like to know what to do after germination, which takes place in the kitchen. My first batch has gone too weak and leggy, and most of it waste. I had to buy tomatoes and pepper plants. . :oops:

What are the light levels and temperatures after germination, to prevent them to go spindly and useless?

The second batch now looks much better, and I put them out at daytime, bringing them indoors at night.

Am I doing it right?

When can they be planted out for their final growing place? I have a first floor patio, sheltered from wind. South- facing, partial sun.

Left, square pots: cucumbers, peppers, chillies
Back round pots: tomatoes, various
right, yellow tubs: carrots, courgettes aubergines
Large barrel: runner beans with wigwam. (after the tulips finished)
Troughs: Salads, spring onions, radishes, spinach
Various herbs in smaller pots.

[crowndale]

Amazing what you can do with such a small and unlikely vege growing space!  looks very organised.

The main problem with the wasted seedlings will I think have been the heat, maybe light too.  There is no one set temp for germination, some like it warm and others don't, in my experience most prefer it cooler to warmer except maybe the toms and peppers etc.  Very few seedlings need a lot of warmth, even my unheated north facing conservatory can be too warm sometimes!  But given the problems with space that you ahve I'd say you were doing well anyway.  out in the day and in at night is probably fine but once the frosts stop all but the most tender stuff can stay outside day and night or just go under fleece, that would save you dragging stuff back and forth too.

[PeterR]

Thanks for the reply.

I have also bought an automatic (computerised) watering system too, which will drip-water the plants while I am away for holidays. Of course it will water all through the summer too, reducing work on the plot.

But yes, first effort for veggie growing, as the prices are too high now, so hopefully the crops will save money from the shops. (Being a single pensioner, money is tight.)

This set up should last for a few years, with just adding compost and feed.

Regards,

Peter

[Top Cat]

Wow thats amazing,
Even though i have a garden and a bit more space I grow a lot in containers and home made troughs.  have to admit mine is a bit more hapazard than that. well done

Note to self ...... tidy up my space

[jacnal]

Note to self ...... tidy up my space

Ditto.

Your garden is so organised PeterR, I wish I could get mine as good as that!

As for the question - I've no idea - I just go with the flow and sometimes I'm lucky, sometimes I'm not

[gobs]

What are the light levels and temperatures after germination, to prevent them to go spindly and useless?

Don't sow way too early simply. Mid March natural light levels still going to cause some legginess. I turn them daily or twice.

Watch the weather, as they are coming along nicely and the spot is sheltered, still can get caught out by some cold spell, tom, pepper and cucs are all very tender.

[DD.]

And not forgetting, of course, that a bit of aluminium foil behind your seedlings increases the amount of all round light significantly.

DD. a/k/a Mr. Foil

[Sadgit]

And not forgetting, of course, that a bit of aluminium foil behind your seedlings increases the amount of all round light significantly.

DD. a/k/a Mr. Foil

*yawn*

[gobs]

Well, they really do some job, thing is I get the shiver from touching them and the noise they make so there.  

[DD.]

And not forgetting, of course, that a bit of aluminium foil behind your seedlings increases the amount of all round light significantly.

DD. a/k/a Mr. Foil

*yawn*

Quiet you - I'll keep repeating this until folk get the message!

[PeterR]

Making progress:
Tomatoes are in, lettuces, radishes, spinach and salad onions.  



and one of my tulips:



Peter

[Wildeone]

Peter your pictures ALWAYS blow me away! You have such an eye for photography :!:   Just out of interest do you paint or draw as well? It's just that i've notice that artists make great photographers.






Oh . . . . and the garden is lovely BTW.

[PeterR]

Peter your pictures ALWAYS blow me away! You have such an eye for photography :!:   Just out of interest do you paint or draw as well? It's just that i've notice that artists make great photographers.






Oh . . . . and the garden is lovely BTW.

Hah, I am useless in drawing or painting. But I am an amateur photographer.

Have a look at my web site: The Gallery Plenty to see.

Regards,

Peter

.

[maria]

WOW the tulip looks amazing beautiful colour PeterR, I`m also new to growing veggies this year and i read in a magazine to grow or transplant on into poly cups, the ones you have tea/coffee in.Anyway all plants are going well with this method so i`m going to stick with it.