[devonbarmygardener]

You can ruin many types of plant by mollycoddling.

OHHHH yes!! . Definitely!

[Totty]

Lots of people tend to see Jan-mar on a seed packet, and even though they may have previously read some of the great info on here about leggy seedlings etc etc, still decide to have a go at some early showings. Only to find that the plants grow poorly.
 Personally I enjoy the challenge of it all and will always make small sowings of various tomatoes for instance in January. Providing you can give the seedlings ideal growing conditions then you can grow plants that won't be caught up to by later sowings. But if you don't have ideal conditions just hold off for a bit.
I have four seedlings each of six varieties sown on January 18th. 16-18 degrees in a propagator, out of there as soon as they started showing. Greenhouse kept at min 12 degrees, with fan heater, and pots are sat on warming mat set at 10 degrees. Greenhouse gets full sun and is south facing, as well as good ventilation. Have toms, chillies, aubergine, micro veg, onions, leeks, and loofahs all growing well and benefitting from the right heat (IMO) at this time of year to get good strong plants without going leggy. You need to balance heat and light.
If you can't provide perfect growing conditions, wait for nature to provide it for you.

Totty

[Aunt Sally]

Very wise and good advice there. Totty

[Peas let my pumpkins grow]

You can ruin many types of plant by mollycoddling.

...keeping them in your cosy warm bedroom so you can check on them every morning and night probably counts as molllycoddling   :happy:

Off they go to the spare room then
and march can't come soon enough for my second attempt 

[devonbarmygardener]

You can ruin many types of plant by mollycoddling.

...keeping them in your cosy warm bedroom so you can check on them every morning and night probably counts as molllycoddling   :happy:

Off they go to the spare room then
and march can't come soon enough for my second attempt 

They need love and attention but don't overdo it!
Cruel to be kind is often a phrase I use - particularly with watering on the plot!!

[casper]

I have a conservatory this year and I did not last year, I hope to sow seedlings a little later this year. I am going to put my little Wilko greenhouse in the conservatory which gets plenty of light all day long, last year the back window sills off a non-south facing garden produced very poor plants. So I am hoping it wont be long before the conservatory warms up