[Riala]

I have my Seed potatoes (1st earlies) that Dad unexpectedly turned up with yesterday, along with 3 massively huge bags of multi-purpose and he said he will be back in a few days with an old water butt with holes in (drill holes for drainage) for my spuds!

My question is this: Should I be planting my leek, onion and cabbage seeds now in my seed trays indoors ready to plant out in March, or am I way ahead of myself?

I am getting so excited about growing my own food!!

[Kagganz]

Sits alongside Riala awaiting 'Them What Knows'  :roll:

[mumofstig]

I know you can start onion seeds now (not sets) as i've done mine and possibly leeks but too early for cabbage i think.

You're like me............feel that there must be something we can be doing but i think we must be patient at least a little longer

Wait for the experts to correct me now

[alfman]

Onion seed definately, I think a little too early for the others. Question is, if you do, what are you going to do with them when they come through in 10 days? Its minus something or other here.

[Kagganz]

Just looked through my seed packets - (whispers) 26 of 'em - and this is from a woman who will be container gardening in an are of no more that 15ft x 22 ft (approx) and this area also has to house an 8 x 6 greenhouse! :shock:

What to do, what to do??

[woodburner]

Onion seed definately, I think a little too early for the others. Question is, if you do, what are you going to do with them when they come through in 10 days? Its minus something or other here.

Stick them in a cold frame?

[Kagganz]

Once they start growing could they go in a greenhouse?  Even in the cold weather that we've been having? Or would that be too cold for seedlings?  :?


So many questions !

[DD.]

I shall shortly - decorating permitting - starting a few cabbage, cauli & onion seed off in the just warm greenhouse.

My leeks will be started in March. If you intend starting brassicas off - don't get them to warm, otherwise they'll just streak away and be worse than useless.

[Kagganz]

Will you have any heating in your greenhouse DD?

I've been offered a large parafin heater (I think its on a stand) but I don't know when to use it........

[DD.]

At this time of year, just enough to keep the frost off. I use an electric heater with a thermostat, but you can't do that with paraffin!

Thermometer records a minimum of 0.7 C.

[Kagganz]

Whats a thermometer?















Joke!  

[Riala]

So.. the simple answer... is 'wait'?

I have a mini propagator (seed tray with a see through lid) a very sunny kitchen window sill, and 2 mini plastic covered green houses. One with 2 shelfs, one with 4 (or tiers) but the one with 4 teirs has a broken cover. The zip broke when Mother Nature tried my patience and took the greenhouse for a walk!!

[Clampit]

I am starting my onions seeds off tomorrow on the windowsill (well, in pots on the windowsill, my girlfriend went mad with me last year!)

I will also be starting some leeks in cat litter trays filled with compost (I'm sure I read about the cat litter trays on this forum.)  Basically, you put your seeds in about an inch apart to avoid thinning out later on, and the cat litter tray being that bit deeper than a seed tray gives a bit more room for the roots to go down. I've drilled holes for drainage by the way.

...........Oh, and i'm putting my sweet peas in those paper pots.

I think that's all for tomorrow.

[DD.]

I will also be starting some leeks in cat litter trays filled with compost (I'm sure I read about the cat litter trays on this forum.)

That'll be me then...

http://www.chat.allotment-garden.org/viewtopic.php?t=26363