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Seed sowing times
Mrs M
Posts: 34
Hi, living in Renfrewshire, Scotland (near Glasgow), when would be the best time to sow seeds inside and outside. By this I mean, if the packet says sow outdoors in March-April or indoors in January - March, how much later than these months should I sow them here? I was always led to believe that the times on the packets were for sowing down south where the temperature is normally a bit higher.
0
Posts
It depends-so what in particular are these?
The bulk of seed is sown in March-but it is all down to the conditions so a bit more info is required
Last frost date,current weather conditions ,soil conditions
Tender plants or hardy plants? -do you have as greenhouse? -cold or heated?-a cold frame?- a propagator?
Not as easy as looking at the back of a packet
It is mainly veg seeds I am planning to sow, and sweet peas. I know that I need to wait until after the frost to sow/plant outdoors but just wondered if there were some other guidelines. I usually feel that I sow my seeds a bit late to make sure I am not too early and then of course I can run out of time for them to grow before the cold wet days start again. I do start them off in a propagator in the greenhouse but do not heat the greenhouse now. I harden off in a coldframe gradually until I feel it is time to plant out. I suppose if I don't sow them on the first suggested date (on the packet) and then use common sense, I shouldn't go too far wrong.
I think you are doing the right thing by the sound of it there is a tendency if a packet says January to March some will go all goody it says January without thinking -what do I do next?
I have known people sow runner beans in March-because the packet said so and then wonder what they do with foot high plants in April and it is frosty outside
To my mind plants always catch up with a later sowing -the temperatures are higher -light levels better and don't get so much molly-coddling
Common sense says it all
This might help as well
http://www.thegardenersalmanac.co.uk/Indexes/Zones.htm
Thanks for your comments AND ESPECIALLY the link for the chart - that is exactly what I have been looking for to help me. Many thanks again. I will now go and have a look at my seed packets and decide when to sow.