Topic: Is it o.k to grow these things from seed now....

[gunnerbee]

in an unheated greenhouse in the south midlands?

leeks
kelsae onions
brussels
cauliflower
sweet peas

many thanks, im just a bit worried ive started too soon, on the plus side my greenhouse has polycarbonate, not glass, so its a bit warmer.

cheers sarah.

[manicscousers]

we've got sweet peas and onions, don't know about the others, sorry  ;D

[SnooziSuzi]

I've started off my spring flowers (chrysanths, baby blue eyes, sweet peas etc) in a cold greenhouse and they are all doing fine.  Will be starting some onions off tomorrow too

[Jeannine]

I think the brassicas are a bit too soon , they need to go out on time and I have often found myself with very large transplants too early Ok if the weather is on your side, but having said that I don't consider myself any kind of an authority on brassicas.

Onions I would say a definate yes to, leeks probably, flowers   not a clue.

XX Jeannine

[gunnerbee]

oh well sod the brassicas ;D they are in now and lots of unused seed to use up   :-\  but i can replant if all fails, thanks all xx

[Tee Gee]

I find it is generally easier to work in reverse when sowing seeds.

For the majority I work on approx 13 weeks before planting out time.

I see no point in seedlings hanging about getting leggy and pot bound because I can' plant them out.

[caroline7758]

Every year I have some things I've sown too late and some too early. If you can put up with some failures, why not give them a go? Personally I wouldn't think about sowing anything this early, as I haven't got much warm growing space.

[calendula]

oh well sod the brassicas ;D they are in now and lots of unused seed to use up   :-\  but i can replant if all fails, thanks all xx

look after the brassicas and they should be fine and pot them on again and again if necessary, don't leave them to get too big in one pot, increase the pot size as you go, this way they will probably be big when they are transplanted out but then the slugs and snails are more likely to leave them alone (it is what I do anyway - brassicas being the only veg I pot on carefully)  :)

I guess the point about this sort of early sowing is because sprouts and some caulis are in the ground for a long time so the best results will deoend on the variety and the normal harvest time

[flowerofshona2007]

Im right down on the south coast and have just sown...
Ailsa onions
Snowball cauli
Marmanda Tomatoes
Primo 2 cabbage
Alpine strawberries
And a variety of chillies :) i do have a heated greenhouse but most of that lot will be in the kitchen so i can keep an eye on them with a grow light, its the light that really counts for seedlings :)

[RSJK]

Yes to onions
           leeks
 and   sweet peas

but I think it is a bit to early for sprouts and cauliflower, you could start a few cabbage seed of though

[Amazin]

I posted a message with a couple of websites you might find useful on this thread:

http://www.allotments4all.co.uk/smf/index.php/topic,37655.0.html

if that's any help to you.

[davee52uk]

What about if you have a heated propagator? I aim to start of seeds at home and then transfer them to a unheated greenhouse. Does teh same apply?

[Tee Gee]

What about if you have a heated propagator?

It is not so much the germination that is the problem in most cases. It is where to keep the seedlings until planting out time.

You will still have to keep them above freezing so a coldframe or fleece might not be enough plus the ambient light levels are quite low so you have the potential for weak leggy plants.

Best to be patient and sow when all the conditions are right.

Better to have  healthy plants that are sown late than weak leggy plants as a result of over enthusiasm.

Plants are generally quite resilient and have a way of catching up.