[cudders]

Well,

Having had poor results from sets I think you've convinced me also to try from seeds.

I have a greenhouse but no heater. Have lots of mesh, propagators etc. Would they be sufficient?

Cudders

[gavinjconway]

I now do both after years of only growing sets.. I think mainly for the happiness of growing the seedlings first then to see them all grown up and on my show table and in the pot!!

I plant sets in modules to get them off quicker then if the seedlings fail to get to size before planting out I can always revert to more sets.

[New shoot]

I have a greenhouse but no heater. Have lots of mesh, propagators etc. Would they be sufficient?

No problem  Mine were germinated without heat on the widowsill inside, then graduated to the unheated greenhouse.  At first they went inside a plastic 4 tier mini greenhouse inside the main greenhouse, as it was a cold start to spring, then onto the greenhouse bench, then finally outside 

[cudders]

Cool,

I'll go for it then. Picked up two packets today ready for after the Christmas hols.

Wonder if the missus will let me use the conservatory for a few weeks? 

Cudders

[Flowertot]

Wonder if the missus will let me use the conservatory for a few weeks? 

I am thinking of using the conservatory too, except my hubby doesn't generally like "trays of dirt" in the house 

[gavinjconway]

I am thinking of using the conservatory too, except my hubby doesn't generally like "trays of dirt" in the house 

You could ask him to buy a small-holding so you dont need to...

[New shoot]

Mine knows better than to comment on the trays, pots and aluminium foil contraptions that invade every spring   

Remind him that the trays of dirt result in lots of good eating later in the year   

[adri]

I see mention of planting out in 'clumps' of 4 or 5.

Based upon getting the most out of every square inch of soil does this give a bigger harvest? 

TIA

Adri

[DD.]

A comment about this from earlier this year:

http://chat.allotment-garden.org/index.php?topic=102840.msg1150707#msg1150707

[adri]

Thanks.  I'll be sowing red and white onions 4 to a 7cm pot before chrimbo.  they can go from there in the clumps straight into the raised beds in the polytunnel hopefully.

Adri

[sunshineband]

Certainly gives 'kitchen useable' crop sowing like this.

And as for 'trays of dirt' Flowertot, just do as New Shoot says, and ask if he wants to eat later in the year or not? 

[Flowertot]

Mine knows better than to comment on the trays, pots and aluminium foil contraptions that invade every spring   

Remind him that the trays of dirt result in lots of good eating later in the year   

And as for 'trays of dirt' Flowertot, just do as New Shoot says, and ask if he wants to eat later in the year or not? 

Lol  who needs more encouragement than that? I may just have to give onions a go in the conservatory then!  Eventually he should realise that resistance is futile...     

[blackberryjam]

Can I sow karmen seeds on boxing day or is to early   

[DD.]

Dobies say that you can sow in December for exhibition purposes, so I don't see why not.

[chillimummy]

Been given couple of packs of onion seeds so going to give them a go in January as nothing to lose but def sounds like worth it from reading all the posts. If successful then cheaper so will do again next year