Allotments 4 All

Getting ready



Distances and times have been taken from the seed packets.

eek!  Not got me broad bean seeds yet  :)  Nor me geraniums  :o

my wife has very kindly drawn up a gan chart showing what we do when - so that all I need to do is look at the month/week and see what I need to get done - then colour it in when I've done it!

Quote from: timmyc on January 05, 2006, 11:04:42
my wife has very kindly drawn up a gan chart showing what we do when - so that all I need to do is look at the month/week and see what I need to get done - then colour it in when I've done it!

Is that something you can post on the forum?

I do a very similar system Mike, I find it invaluable ... for the sowing times I put in a number eg 4.2 means 2nd week in April. This makes it easy to sort by planting dates.

Most impressive. Reality seldom resembles my own best laid gardening plans, though... :-\

I don't have any plans - best laid or otherwise.  I sort of let things evolve in a chaotic like fashion.  Not recommended.   I'm dreading me shallots showing up  :o

Excellent chart Mike. I have saved it for (near) future reference. I can't wait to get started!

Regarding starting off sowing in a greenhouse, would a sunny window-sill be a suitable alternative? If so, are there any tips for sucessful germination?

Martyn.

A sunny window sounds fine to me, providing you have enough space !!!

Thanks for that advice Derek.

The numerous spider plants and cacti on my window-sills are definitely going to have to take a back seat for a few months!

I have some  seeds left over from last/previous years. Reading previous posts, it seems that these will still germinate, despite being well past their use by dates.

Is it worth trying sowing some of these? I mainly have tomatoes/ beans/peas. I suppose I have nothing to lose by trying. If I sow them at the earliest recommended sowing date (as per Mike's chart) and they don't germinate, I can still buy some fresh seeds to sow in good time.

Martyn.

What a great chart! I keep track of stuff in Excel too but I am no where near that organized or comprehensive.

MikeB - Do you refer to an unheated or heated greenhouse for the time to 'sow seed in greenhouse'?

Excellent chart!

I've written in the monthly planner in my diary what to sow when. THen once I've sown it I write it in the day page in the diary and then keep track of when things germinate, when prick out, plant out, harvest (if they get to that stage!) etc. All for future reference.

Martyn - I use a windowsill for my seedlings. Works fine. Just watch they don't get to hot from radiators. Old seeds - tomatoes keep for years. Others - sow a bit thicker than you usually would. Do it early so if they don't work you have time to get more! my spider plants live quite happily on the top of bookcases.

Wow, such organisation makes me feel quite humble!

Have saved your chart Mike B thank you :)

Thank you! I've saved it too. :)

I have also saved it.  Thank you Mike B.

Thanks Mike I saved it too.... I need all the help I can get .. Ray

Quote from: umshamrock on January 05, 2006, 12:58:04
What a great chart! I keep track of stuff in Excel too but I am no where near that organized or comprehensive.

MikeB - Do you refer to an unheated or heated greenhouse for the time to 'sow seed in greenhouse'?

Basically anything planted  before march needs to be in a heated greenhouse.  Personally I use one of those cheap plastic self assembly type things usually sold for 10 pounds inside the greenhouse and only heat the cheapo with a soil warming cable, works really well.

A window sill is great, but don't forget to rotate your plants each day when you water them, to insure they grow straight.

MikeB

Quote from: MikeB on January 05, 2006, 20:58:27
Basically anything planted  before march needs to be in a heated greenhouse.  Personally I use one of those cheap plastic self assembly type things usually sold for 10 pounds inside the greenhouse and only heat the cheapo with a soil warming cable, works really well.
MikeB

Oh to have access to electricity at my allotment...I don't think I can possibly wait until March to try out my new greenhouse!

Quote from: umshamrock on January 06, 2006, 11:54:29

Oh to have access to electricity at my allotment...I don't think I can possibly wait until March to try out my new greenhouse!

But the heat is for plants that are not frost hardy.  At the moment I'm growing carrots, onions and cabbage in my GH with no heating.  I do have bubblewrap and a forty-five gallon water drum (see previous threads on a water drum acting as a storage heater)

An excellent chart Mike, I've also copied it.  I usually keep all my seed packs in a shoe box in chronological sowing order and simply work through it throughout the year.