I haven't read the entire topic, so apologies Nature doesn't put seeds into trays in a warm place and then transplant,
No apologies needed. We don't all have the time to read everything. There is usually a lot of repetition anyway.
We are not talking about nature, we are talking about gardens. Gardens are art, gardens are craft. We do it to enjoy ourselves, and many other human reasons.
location: Surrey Hills, England, ex-woodland acidic sand. "Have nothing in your garden that you don't know to be useful, or believe to be beautiful."
I think the best seed-sowing instructions/info I've ever had came with my recent order from Derry Watkins at specialplants.net. The same information is on their website, https://www.specialplants.net/seed-sowing-tips/
Doncaster, South Yorkshire. Soil type: sandy, well-drained
It also comes back to that info on packets. Perhaps it would be better if there was no info at all, or something like a line or two about how the plant naturally occurs. The worst that would happen is that the seeds fail, and the company makes more money 'cos folk have to buy more. Hey....anyone got Suttons' phone number?
That actually makes so much more sense. I think i would be more confident knowing when plants were supposed to appear in nature. With the Internet and QR codes they can put so much more info on websites that’s easily accessible.
@Latimer - the plastic ones are really only good for keeping rain/sleet/snow off small plants over winter, and if you need/want to grow certain things that need a bit of extra protection in summer. Tomatoes for example, for the same reasons [ maybe not the sleet/snow ] and for keeping temps in double figs overnight.
I bought myself a min max thermometer to stick in it, it’s amazing the seeds don’t cook in there and I leave the front open all day! Are they much different to a cold frame? Not that my cold frames are in a position to be used! 😂
Sorry @Latimer, I didn't see your post earlier. A cold frame is generally better if it's of a heavier construction, because you can leave the lids fully open, which is more difficult with those plastic gr'houses. They don't tend to heat up so much either, because of that, and because the plants are at soil level which us usually a couple of degrees lower than the air temp.
I only have a smallish growhouse which is basically a bigger version of your cold frames. It isn't as steady for temps/conditions as a proper greenhouse, but it's far better than the plastic ones. Re your high temps - I came back from my walk earlier, and it was still very cloudy. I'd opened the lids a little when I put washing out at about 9am, and it was the same temp in there as the outdoor temp - at around 7 or 8 degrees, because it was meant to clear and get sunny. At midday, the sun eventually started to come out and I thought I'd better check them again. It was mid 30s in there
It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
I've debated the proper greenhouse for a long time too @Latimer, but the problem I have is where to put it. I'd need to get rid of planting areas. I removed a bed under my bedroom window, which would have been ideal, and the growhouse is at one end of that part of the house [extension] but I then decided to buy raspberries, and have put them along there instead, with my bench in front. Can't win! I could possibly put it at the front of the extension, but I don't think it would work very well there, and it would be less convenient for access.
It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
Posts
We are not talking about nature, we are talking about gardens. Gardens are art, gardens are craft. We do it to enjoy ourselves, and many other human reasons.
"Have nothing in your garden that you don't know to be useful, or believe to be beautiful."
When you don't even know who's in the team
S.Yorkshire/Derbyshire border
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
When you don't even know who's in the team
S.Yorkshire/Derbyshire border
I only have a smallish growhouse which is basically a bigger version of your cold frames. It isn't as steady for temps/conditions as a proper greenhouse, but it's far better than the plastic ones.
Re your high temps - I came back from my walk earlier, and it was still very cloudy. I'd opened the lids a little when I put washing out at about 9am, and it was the same temp in there as the outdoor temp - at around 7 or 8 degrees, because it was meant to clear and get sunny. At midday, the sun eventually started to come out and I thought I'd better check them again. It was mid 30s in there
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
Mods, punks and fairies. Is this a coup. I would have thought that thinking, helpful contributurs should be encouraged.
"Have nothing in your garden that you don't know to be useful, or believe to be beautiful."
I could possibly put it at the front of the extension, but I don't think it would work very well there, and it would be less convenient for access.
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...