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Growing from Seed

Sheila AllderSheila Allder Posts: 56
in Problem solving
Hi, Due to many losses over the past three years and constant financial loss I have decided to attempt to grow a variety of plants from Seed. I shall be keeping them indoors. Question is, do I definitely need trays with covers? Or will the trays on their own be OK ? They will all be near a window. Thanks

Posts

  • DovefromaboveDovefromabove Posts: 88,147
    It depends on what plants you’re growing. Some may need heat and/or winter protection. Some will do much better outside in a cold-frame or similar. 

    Let us know what you’re intending to grow. 

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





  • plant pauperplant pauper Posts: 6,904
    I too am going to be sowing loads of seeds this year so I envision lots of overbearing interfering where there should be none! 😳

    I bought my seeds from Chiltern's and the growing instructions are very good. They are all different obviously and only one actually mentions propagator but some say use a plastic bag to retain moisture. My worry with that would be mould hence the interfering! Out of direct sun seems to be important too.

    I'm going to follow the instructions to the letter and keep a close eye on progress.
    If it's cold I'll put them in the cold frame, if it's colder they'll be in the garage (bright and warm) and if it's like last winter they'll be in with me... beside the fire. 🤣
  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    It depends on what you're trying to grow.  :)
    Some will need extra warmth and protection, and some won't. At this time of year, seed sowing tends to be plants which would naturally produce and drop seed, so they wouldn't usually be sown inside. 
    Autumn sowing of hardy annuals can be done, and many people do that, but again, too much warmth is counter productive as it leads to weak, leggy plants. They're often grown outside with minimal protection, if you have a suitable climate for doing it. In cold areas, it's better to wait until late winter/early spring to do it. 
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • EmptyheadtimeEmptyheadtime Posts: 366
    I agree with what fairygirl has said. I sow lots from seed and over the years adapted to what works for me, mainly veggies and annuals (I do perennials more from cuttings). I don’t tend to sow seeds that need molly coddled (heat/darkness/humidity etc) as they tend to not germinate or die on me. I don’t use a lid indoors for any of my seeds but sometimes do outside if it’s a bit chilly/wet. I like seeds I can pop in some compost and way they go. I will start some indoors in feb/March if they need a longer growing season or I want a earlier plant, otherwise I tend to just sow everything outdoors April to august time and let them take their chances. My thinking is if they grow without too much TLC then they will be perfect in my garden/climate. If they need a load of TLC thy won’t work in my garden. I do like the feeling I get growing from seed rather than buying plants, and it saves a few pennies too.
  • bédébédé Posts: 3,095
    edited August 2023
    Sheila Allder said:
    Hi, Due to many losses over the past three years and constant financial loss I have decided to attempt to grow a variety of plants from Seed
    If you have been losing big plants, what do you think will happen to tiny delicate young seedlings?

    Indoors.  What temperature range?  How dark? (remember Homo sapiens started as troglodytes.) Draughts vs moving air?  Moist but not wet. No direct sun.   A plastic bag is as good as any cover, but let it breath.
     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."
  • DovefromaboveDovefromabove Posts: 88,147
    For many seedlings that require a plastic bag or plastic cover and/or heat to germinate, this is/these are usually no longer needed or should be decreased, once germination has taken place.

     It does depend so much on what you’re growing. 

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





  • Sheila AllderSheila Allder Posts: 56
    bédé said:
    Sheila Allder said:
    Hi, Due to many losses over the past three years and constant financial loss I have decided to attempt to grow a variety of plants from Seed
    If you have been losing big plants, what do you think will happen to tiny delicate young seedlings?

    Indoors.  What temperature range?  How dark? (remember Homo sapiens started as troglodytes.) Draughts vs moving air?  Moist but not wet. No direct sun.   A plastic bag is as good as any cover, but let it breath.
    Thanks. I am intending to use alot of seeds per plant so in the event I lose some after planting out in the Spring there shall be some which survive.
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