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When to start planting seeds
I've selected just a few seeds to concentrate my efforts into this year, namely some echinacea pow wow, verbena bonariensis, sunflowers and marigolds. Most of the packets say you can start in February. I just wanted to check if starting earlier, say now, would cause any problems? I can't think why it would as shall be starting them off indoors, so temperature controlled, but just want to ensure my being over eager to get going isn't going to set them back somehow?
I get so excited about starting new seeds and with Christmas and the new year over, Spring seems almost touchable!
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It doesn't set the plants back, it sets you back. The plants get well ahead, long and stragly and outgrowing the space before the weather is suitable to plant out. People do it every year and very often have to start again
In the sticks near Peterborough
Noted Nutcutlet, shall reign myself in and wait in that case
Good idea, but we've all done it
In the sticks near Peterborough
I know one you can do inside now
Onion seeds, no wait, come back! if you get a largish pot you put four seeds in one and they sort of bunch up and grow together. You get to actually watch something germinate and grow during the Dark Time and are rewarded with eating the results at the end of it.
Last edited: 15 January 2018 20:50:22
I make no apologies for starting Verbena Bonariensis now, along with Antirrhinum. They take ages to germinate for me. When they pop up I then get on with the other things like Cosmos etc.
Years gone by have left me with late germination and no flowers, so now they get an early start and do well. I suppose it depends where you live in the UK and experience in your part of the country.
Not only where you live in the country but what conditions you can give them to germinate and once they have germinated.
I have started already...equally excited and keen to get going. I understand it's Perennials that benefit from an early start (maybe not quite THIS early!) but annuals just don't need the early start.
I'm growing some plants for big leaves, others for autumn decoratives, some for a white garden, and even some ground cover.
here's my method....
I have a cheap heated propagator (£20) for seeds needing 20 degree plus to germinate
i've started a few seed modules at ambient where they only need 18-20 to germinate.
Also have a tray in the fridge for what might be 3-4 weeks for seeds that need stratifying.
finally...a little pot of moist sand has some Rhus Typhina seeds atop with a cling film cover, sat in the fridge also before the seed will be put in pots to germinate!
I've put a lamp with a 'daylight' bulb over two of the three trays (some need light to germinate) and will pop another lamp over for the other one, once they germinate.
all on my top-floor landing!
never done this before....right outside my comfort zone. every danger of not keeping up, not having time to attend them, not getting the moisture level right etc... but once you start gardening, the tendency is to push it as far as you can !
Yes Hogweed you are right about that, and you too UpNorth. If you can give them bottom heat and the best light, then I find they do well.
Personally, I hold back with most seeds until the end of February, but I never worry about them getting a bit leggy If started earlier. Potting them on up to their necks does them no harm in my experience as long as you have somewhere to keep them until all chance of frost has gone,
If you grow from seed as I do, they become your babies, and you get to know what takes longer to walk than others, such as sulky Verbena.
I would say UpNorth, that you need to keep an eye on the ones you have started, to prevent things like damping off, but I hope you have success.
I don’t think posters are panicking at all. Some people like myself have found seeding early works for some plants. If you live in a cold part of the country and you seed in March, it can be disappointing.
I live in Scotland and it is a short growing season in the garden,but at my age I know when to start. The idea that one climate fits all does not always work in the UK.
The problem is that the seeds manufacturers will put on the packets that the particular seeds can be sown from January to April, Well, of course, people itching to get started will choose January, when in actual fact, March to April would be best.
When they don’t germinate, or they’re dragged up in a propagator and gone leggy, you will go and buy some more, job complete by the manufacturer.