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First year planting seeds... Advice needed!

PeachAlbaPeachAlba Posts: 6
edited January 2019 in Plants
Hello everyone!  I'm just setting out this year on my first attempt at filling my borders with flowers I've grown from seed. 

SO... I'm in need of your advice on some of the basics please! Firstly, after my first flush of seeds are done, and I've thinned them out into pots (assuming some success!), I'm guessing I can re-use the same compost for my next round of seeds?  Is there any hygiene issue with that that I should know about?

I've seen Alan Titchmarsh's video where he suggests creating a 'reflector' from cardboard and foil to help the seedlings grow vertically rather than lean towards the sun - is that common?  Does rotating the trays on the windowsill work instead?  What do you do?

I've never treated the soil in my garden. I've bought some levington's manure to dig through the soil but is there anything else I should do at this time of year in preparation?  

Pest control...  should I be prepared to find wee beasties on my seedlings? If so what do I need?  I'd like to avoid chemicals if possible.  

Also, any other general advice for a 'noob' (as my son would call me!)?  

Posts

  • JennyJJennyJ Posts: 10,576
    Re-using compost for seeds is not advisable in case there's any disease lurking.  You can put it on the garden or in the compost bin rather than throwing it away (I often use it to top-dress my outdoor plants in pots).
    I have tried the reflector thing (thick card covered in foil) and it helps to some extent, but on the whole I get better results (with or without the reflector) if I hold off sowing seeds indoors until the day length is longer, usually March or even April.  For things that need a really early sowing (eg  chillies) I get much better results if I buy a few young plants later in the season.

    Doncaster, South Yorkshire. Soil type: sandy, well-drained
  • AnniDAnniD Posts: 12,585
    Hello Sarah, welcome to the forum !  :)
    I agree with Jenny, it's best not to reuse seed compost, tempting though it is. Also don't be too tempted to sow too many seeds in one go , or too early - what are you sowing by the way?
    With regards to the light, l just find it easier to turn the seed trays around tbh. Hopefully your seedlings should remain pest free, best to come back here for advice if it happens. As long as you are using fresh compost and clean pots/seed trays, you should be okay.
    Another piece of advice is not to be downhearted by any failure, gardening is a learning process, but fun! 
    What type of Levington compost have you bought?
  • LynLyn Posts: 23,190
    Levington manure is good to dig into your beds, any compost you can make is good.
    do you have a farm nearby, they may sell you some rotted horse or cow manure or sell it cheaper that GC Levington.
    I’ve never used lights or tin foil, if you wait for the right time to sow, Nature will provide the light they need. 
    If you do sow them earlier, you still can’t plant them out until end of May /start of June. 
    Gardening on the wild, windy west side of Dartmoor. 

  • PeachAlbaPeachAlba Posts: 6
    This is great, thanks for your advice.   I am expecting as much failure as success this year...maybe more, but this will definitely help!  

    I've got a range of seeds - from sweet pea and sunflower, to echinacea and cosmos. I've gone for a few perennials, but mostly annuals - that way I figure I'm still filling spaces for next year while negating the need to buy plants for the pots this year.  I've got some of the Rootrainers that Sarah Raven's recommended for sweet pea so we'll see how they go... finger's crossed I have a bit of luck!  

    Good shout to suggest a local farm - I'll have a look and see what I can find.  

    Thanks again! :)
  • Mike AllenMike Allen Posts: 208
    Sarah, as garden scientist with over seventy years practical experience.  I wish you well.  Great to have such high hopes.  Learning form varous experts...ok.  However gardening is such a soul gripping experience.   Anything can happen.  Reusing spent seed sowing compost..  RUBBISH.  Seeds basically require a moist, warm enviroment.  So in todays world.  Go on try this out.  Buy a cheapy packet of carrot seed.  Now simply sprinkle it on  some waste newspaper.  Siin the seeds will germinate.  NOW the germinated seedlings will ned feeding, so prick out, pot on etc.
  • DovefromaboveDovefromabove Posts: 88,147
    I hardly sow anything other than sweet peas before mid March ... cosmos, tomatoes, morning glory etc in April. Any earlier than that and I don’t have enough well lit space to keep them protected from frost once I’ve pricked them out and potted them on. 


    Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.





  • LynLyn Posts: 23,190
    @Mike Allen. OP want flowers not carrots! 

    Sarah, you’re  better off sowing your seeds in compost, than newspaper! 
    Gardening on the wild, windy west side of Dartmoor. 

  • PeachAlbaPeachAlba Posts: 6
    Thanks guys.  My folks were very keen gardeners so I am hoping at least a few of their green fingers turn out to be genetic!  Will keep you posted.

    @Lyn - got it! ;) 
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