Hello all from a snowy Exeter,Devon.
just for fun this year I want to sow Onion seeds for exhibition quality Onions.
I have decided on "Globo" , I have never sown from seed before and would like any hints and tips you've got to starting them off this early.
I have a small glass greenhouse and a paraffin heater that is meant to keep the frost off if needed.
I was thinking about sowing them today indoors in trays, putting them on a sunny windowsill then moving them to the greenhouse after germination? What do you think?
Also - can I sow early sweet peas direct into pots in the greenhouse? or even leeks?
Basically - I want to do something with me greenhouse!
best wishes
Marcus ;D
Hiya, Marcus from freezing wigan ;D
I've just sowed 'ailsa craig' onions in a tray on the windowsill, covered with a plastic bag and will put a clear plastic cover over tonight while it's still freezing..once the cold snap's over and they're germinated, they will go to the plot in the unheated polytunnel..I'm not growing them for exhibition though
There is not much you cant set away early providing you use your heat propperly,
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Its no good just using a heater to heat all of the greenhouse so you need to keep it where you need it to get sufficient heat for seeds to germinate and then keep the roots warm after they have been potted on.
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sowed my Alicia Craig on new years day and put them in a bedroom windowsill
same as last year and they are coming up thick and fast. I didn't heat my greenhouse this year so it is way too cold for the young shoots at the mo. just have to hope they don't get too weedy before I can harden them off in normal temperture (well it worked last year)
marg
I made a tentative start today!
Washed my trays!
Will probably sow my onions and sweet peas within the next couple of days.
I don't want to start too early.........my new heater hasn't arrived yet!
This info might help you;
http://www.thegardenersalmanac.co.uk/Data/Onions/Onions.htm (http://www.thegardenersalmanac.co.uk/Data/Onions/Onions.htm)
http://www.thegardenersalmanac.co.uk/Data/Sweet%20Pea/Sweet%20Peas.htm (http://www.thegardenersalmanac.co.uk/Data/Sweet%20Pea/Sweet%20Peas.htm)
My first lot of large onion are doing quite well
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