Allotments 4 All

My neighbour sows most of his crops really early in the year. He doesn't put them in the ground but has a number of unheated greenhouses. This enables him to put big strong plants into the ground when they need to go out. Eventually these grow into good cabbages etc and crop much earlier than mine.

What are earliest times for sowing (indoors)

Broad Beans
Brassicas
Tomatoes


I have one greenhouse and some frames. The 'house is unheated. The plot is in the Midlands and the 'house gets full sun all day. Our last recorded recent frost was on 1st June but we rarely get any after May.

I also have an electric propagator so could start stuff off at home, could thsi be used to start stuff of early?

Where about Davee? We are in Sunny Derby!
;D

It`s not so much as getting things to germinate,that`s easy-it`s getting things to grow on without a `check` that is harder.

So much depends on the variety but;

Broad Beans-from last month for hardy types

Brassicas-depends which,but some can be sown now

Tomatoes-if you only have an unheated house I would wait until March before setting them off in a propagator

I always sow my chili's, okra, and aubergines in January If that helps

Cleo.....which brassicas would those be? I really wanted to do kale for this winter, but like most things Ive been all behind, like a cows tail.

Sorry to butt in Davee......but yeah, where are you? Im in Northaaaaampton :D

I always start brassicas off in the greenhouse it gives them a good start.not sowing any at the moment i,d say rule of thumb is to take the earliest sowing date on the packet, it usually gives a time for under glass and remember to harden off well before planting out. it is not only the frost you have to worry about it,s the pests that just love those tender shoots
just had a look feb seems the earliest for my lot (earliest of all and greyhound cabbage)
I would say only sow tomatoes in jan if they are frost free and have plenty of light(not a window sil as they will grow toward the light and get very leggy
marg

I see this not so much as 'how early' but when you do do it have you the facilities to protect the plants after they have germinated till planting out time.

This is why the people on your plot use their cold greenhouses as I do.

The problem you can end up with if you don't have the facilities is;  long gangly discoloured plants that will rarely succeed.

Meaning your early start was a waste of time.

Why not have a look at my sowing times here; http://tinyurl.com/yn57zu