Spinach & Chard

[bennettsleg]

Haven't yet started sowing these yet, but the packet states sow direct, one book says sow in modules and another says wrap in a damp cloth and put in the fridge for 5 days for germination to start.  Am I confused, or what!

Any advice? ???

[bennettsleg]

[katynewbie]

 ;D

Yup...I thought the same, so have sowed them all in modules and b***er the consequences! Figure I can sow some direct when I plant these out, so I give myself more chances!!

;)

[supersprout]

I used seed tapes at a spacing of 3 inches last year, and ate the thinnings. It worked well so I will do autumn sowing like this for winter spinach this year. I don't bother with summer spinach, I think it prefers cool weather 8)

[Merry Tiller]

I usually sow them indoors and they germinate OK, never heard of the fridge thing ???

[Curryandchips]

I have only sowed chard direct ... thanks for reminding me, time to get stuck in this weekend :)

[plot51A]

Not heard of the fridge thing! I usually sow spinach beet and chard - usually direct but this year doing modules, as I'm not strict enough about thinning! But not had problems with germinating with either method.
Never had much luck with ordinary spinach though - but sowed a row directly yesterday just to see what happens

[tim]

I always germinate in damp paper so that I know what I'm planting.

As said before, golden beet - which we grow - are very iffy.

[Motherwoman]

I sow my Chard in modules and plant out when a couple of inches high to avoid,as they say,disappointment.When you're not up the plot every day pre-germinated plants seem more reliable.My spinach just pops up where ever it fancies(the previous holder had let a patch seed) so I just leave whatever plants are in a good space,it's as tough as old boots on the survival front,not the eating front!