Thanks ever so much everyone, sounds like patience is needed! So when the packets say they can be sown from Feb onwards, are they referring to indoors? Or just being over optimistic? I live in the South East in case it helps!
In theory, you should be able to sow earlier than in many other areas @gilla.walmsley, but it depends on the plant and it's requirements, and temps/climate. It's not so much about getting things germinated and growing, but the timing for them going outdoors. It can often be a case of experimenting
It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
Many seed packets give you germination temperatures but they don't explain you need light and heat to grow them on. The seedlings will have to stay inside longer, too.
Most of my seeds say march onwards, with unrealistic temperatures 20/25c. I sow peppers which need a long season in North facing kitchen window sill late January early February. Plus my tomatoes. In a normal year,they will go into my lean-to green house, when potted on in April. You could do chard,spinach now, some all year round lettuce
Thank you everyone, you've probably spared me a lot of disappointment! I shall sit tight and wait for March, although maaaybe I'll add to the gigantic collection of seed packets and try out some leeks now!
One more question - does the above also apply to sweet peas? I've grown quite a lot of flowers from seed but never yet sweet peas. The instruction on the packet was to sow in January so that's what I did last weekend, in root trainers which are sitting in my greenhouse. Do you think I should bring them inside?
Sweet peas are hardy, and need no cossetting. I don't think January is suitable at all, but your conditions will be much fairer than mine. I do mine in mid March, just with minimal protection from rough weather. They don't need extra heat. They'll be fine where they are, but keep an eye on them, and you can always sow more in another month or so
It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
Posts
It's not so much about getting things germinated and growing, but the timing for them going outdoors.
It can often be a case of experimenting
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
One more question - does the above also apply to sweet peas? I've grown quite a lot of flowers from seed but never yet sweet peas. The instruction on the packet was to sow in January so that's what I did last weekend, in root trainers which are sitting in my greenhouse. Do you think I should bring them inside?
I don't think January is suitable at all, but your conditions will be much fairer than mine.
I do mine in mid March, just with minimal protection from rough weather. They don't need extra heat.
They'll be fine where they are, but keep an eye on them, and you can always sow more in another month or so
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...