Hi, James, we've quite lucky so far because of no really cold weather, but they will need watching for a while to ensure they do germinate. If there is no sign of them surfacing after 21 days, you may need to think of bringing them indoors until they do.
However, once the seed has germinated straight back outside to the coldframe or cold greenhouse, where they will stand -10C without any problem.
Personally I like cold germinated seedlings, they are always sturdy & go on to do well....on the other hand, those germinated too warm will be soft, weak & leggy and never really make good plants.
Mousetraps - Fortunately I don't get troubled with mice much, although do set one as a precaution......no need for them once the seed has popped through as they are only interested in eating the seed itself.
James - Just for your info, I use these mushroom trays (most greengrocers will let you have them for nothing) to hold my sweet pea tubes. When I sow the seed, I place a piece of glass over the top & newspaper over that.
They have stacking legs in each corner which keeps the glass from lying on & damaging the newly planted tubes. Remove the glass & newspaper as soon as they pop through......there they stay until planting-out time, probably March.
I sat mine in seed trays but filled about 30mm of grit just to keep the air flowing and placed my news paper on top of that. I've been out to the cold frame to today just to check no movement yet (I'm like a little KID with a new toy) LOL
question do you keep the compost damp after they have germinated or wait until it starts to warm up
Now those were last year's sowings.......this year's are only just surfacing.
Glad you mentioned watering (you may notice mine in the pic look a little dry) because it's something that needs to be done with some care. Never water during very cold weather, otherwise those tiny roots may become encased in a block of ice.
Certainly keep them moist at this time of year, but tail-off when the cold weather arrives.
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Hi, James, we've quite lucky so far because of no really cold weather, but they will need watching for a while to ensure they do germinate. If there is no sign of them surfacing after 21 days, you may need to think of bringing them indoors until they do.
However, once the seed has germinated straight back outside to the coldframe or cold greenhouse, where they will stand -10C without any problem.
Personally I like cold germinated seedlings, they are always sturdy & go on to do well....on the other hand, those germinated too warm will be soft, weak & leggy and never really make good plants.
Mousetraps - Fortunately I don't get troubled with mice much, although do set one as a precaution......no need for them once the seed has popped through as they are only interested in eating the seed itself.
Thank you David
I will keep my eye on them It's quite warm for this time of the year with little to no wind
James
James - Just for your info, I use these mushroom trays (most greengrocers will let you have them for nothing) to hold my sweet pea tubes. When I sow the seed, I place a piece of glass over the top & newspaper over that.
They have stacking legs in each corner which keeps the glass from lying on & damaging the newly planted tubes. Remove the glass & newspaper as soon as they pop through......there they stay until planting-out time, probably March.
They look fantastic David when did you sow yours
I sat mine in seed trays but filled about 30mm of grit just to keep the air flowing and placed my news paper on top of that. I've been out to the cold frame to today just to check no movement yet (I'm like a little KID with a new toy) LOL
question do you keep the compost damp after they have germinated or wait until it starts to warm up
James
Now those were last year's sowings.......this year's are only just surfacing.
Glad you mentioned watering (you may notice mine in the pic look a little dry) because it's something that needs to be done with some care. Never water during very cold weather, otherwise those tiny roots may become encased in a block of ice.
Certainly keep them moist at this time of year, but tail-off when the cold weather arrives.
If in doubt don't water.
HaHa you had me all excited then David thought they was this years
I will look out for those blue trays next time I'm at the market.
James
update photos
James
Looking good, James......I would just say they look a tad wet, so not a good idea to water again until those pots have dried out somewhat.
Given the current weather, I would anchor down your cold-frame as much as you can.
Thank you David cold frame is screwed to decking
James
Good news.
Edit: These were mine at planting out time last year.