[Togalosh]

Hello,

I've had 3 no shows - Rocket, Lambs Lettuce & onions. They were all planted as seeds in drills covered with compost & then watered (but not a lot). They are all in same piece of land (one of the best ones), are in full sun all day and were netted off from birds etc.

The onions have come up here n there but the others have done nothing

Others have said that they've also failed with onion seed but why? it only needs to be 8degc to have them germinate & it's definately been that most nights.

Before anyone recommends planting sets I think planting sets is cheating (my argument for this falls apart with potatoes)..and planting out tray sown seeds is surely only for the retired amongst us...or those with a lot more patience than me.

Then the Rocket & lambs lettuce - whats going on with them - too dry? The weeds & flower seeds have done well in the same patch.

Any ideas where I'm going wrong?

[Yorkie]

I think the lack of water is the most likely culprit.  I know they don't like high temperatures when germinating, so if you've had the same warmth as the rest of us, that may also have contributed.

[snowdrops]

Before anyone recommends planting sets I think planting sets is cheating (my argument for this falls apart with potatoes)..and planting out tray sown seeds is surely only for the retired amongst us...or those with a lot more patience than me.

It can't be I'm not retired & I sowed mine in trays.I sowed 2 or 3 seeds per small module,I use a pen knife to separate seeds & push on to compost.It works really well & saves a lot of time later on.Then I just plant out as a block to get useful size onions.-Geoff Hamilton style I believe.






edit to clarify quote

[Nicki85]

I'm 25 and plant everything in modules  I did plant some seeds (including lambs lettuce) straight in and got some parts germinating and some not... I put it down to my useless sowing skills as I expect they went in to deep    I always go for modules for anything that is not cut and come again.

[jimthejimjim]

I usually struggle when sowing things direct so this year I have started most things off in pots.

Up to now things are looking a lot better, definitely worth the effort.

[8doubles]

.and planting out tray sown seeds is surely only for the retired amongst us...or those with a lot more patience than me.

We module growers will be watching our plants grow while you are patiently watching bare earth or resowing.
A little bit more effort pays dividends.

[Trillium]

Dryness, possibility of old seed, too hot, too cold - it's a gardener's lot in life, sadly.

[SkipRat]

Inclined to agree that dryness is the most likely culprit..