Allotment Gardening Advice Help Chat

Growing => Grow Your Own => Topic started by: chili on July 22, 2010, 18:01

Title: limited space
Post by: chili on July 22, 2010, 18:01

i have my allotment for growing stuff etc however i live in a flat, so no greenhouse, no access to window sills re :- the wife :)  so my dilema is been able to start things off from seed, we have a private balcony that i can use.
what can be planted straight into the ground as a seed as opposed to planting a plant from the local garden centre?
i know peas and beans can and i belive leeks can.
i am a complete novice at gardening but learning quickly.

thanks in advance

Title: Re: limited space
Post by: DD. on July 22, 2010, 18:20

Generalising here, but most things that you wouldn't end up cropping in a greenhouse.


You could put one of those mini greenhouses on the balcony to give things like courgettes, squashes etc a head start.

Title: Re: limited space
Post by: missycat on July 22, 2010, 18:53

Do you have room for a cold frame seed bed on the allotment?

Title: Re: limited space
Post by: Starling on July 22, 2010, 20:48

I am in the same position, cabbages, caulis, kale and broccoli were started in modules on a bench outside on the allotment then planted out.  Same with sweetcorn, runner beans and french beans.
Courgettes,  pumpkins and squashes started in a minigreen house at the allotment(no balcony for me  :() then put out after germination.  The only thing I haven't tried like this is tomatoes.

Title: Re: limited space
Post by: chili on July 22, 2010, 20:48

Quote from: missycat on July 22, 2010, 18:53

Do you have room for a cold frame seed bed on the allotment?

i do :) why did i not think of that.....many thanks

i had  plastic thing from wilkinsons not vey good when the winds pick up

Title: Re: limited space
Post by: chili on July 22, 2010, 20:50

Quote from: Starling on July 22, 2010, 20:48

I am in the same position, cabbages, caulis, kale and broccoli were started in modules on a bench outside on the allotment then planted out.  Same with sweetcorn, runner beans and french beans.
Courgettes,  pumpkins and squashes started in a minigreen house at the allotment(no balcony for me  :() then put out after germination.  The only thing I haven't tried like this is tomatoes.

my mini greehouse got nicked by local kids :( did you provide any kind of protection or just leave exposed to the elements?

Title: Re: limited space
Post by: sunshineband on July 22, 2010, 20:50

I sow t almost everything straight in the ground. Exceptions are tomatoes, peppers, squashes etc and leeks as I didn't have the space to grow them on.

Title: Re: limited space
Post by: daisy1990 on July 22, 2010, 20:52

You could also try a small electric propogator in your flat (they take up little space and are cheap to buy) but you can get seeds growing faster and then move the small plants to your allotment

Title: Re: limited space
Post by: DD. on July 22, 2010, 21:26

Many plants destined for the plot do not need a propagator to get them on their way. Most are quite happy germinating outside or in a cold frame/greenhouse. You also then don't have as much of a problem hardening off.

Title: Re: limited space
Post by: noshed on July 22, 2010, 22:15

Cold frames are dead handy and can be knocked up from some scrap wood, old drawer etc. That's what I use.