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Finally got my new Greenhouse!!
Sandra100
Posts: 130
I'm so excited to finally have my new greenhouse installed!!
I've bought lots of seeds, but I'm really unsure what I can sew now.
It's not heated, maybe I'll think about that next year.
I've bought lots of veg seeds: tomatoes, cucumber, peppers, peas, broad, french and runner beans, rocket, chard, cavalo nero and others I can't remember off the top of my head.
I've also got some flower seeds: hardy annuals, half-hardy annuals and a few perennials.
I'm itching to get started but don't want to sew them too early.
Any advice would be much appreciated!
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Forgot to say I'm in Wirral, Merseyside. It's a bit milder than some of the North Western regions.
Many thanks!!!
Exciting! I bet you can't wait to get started. The hardy annuals are usually planted straight into the garden but perennials and half hardies start in pots and seed trays. The key issue is warmth: the packets will tell you the temperature you need for germination and you can start them in the house and whip them out as soon as they show. Most perennials should be ok to start very soon. However, anything half hardy needs warmth to grow on so you need to wait a bit for those. I'm afraid I can't help with veg because I don't grow them but someone else will soon respond. Good luck!
You can sow Broad Beans, peas in deep pots or modules, possibly rocket. Some of your hardy annuals & sweet peas if you have any. Have a look on the packets they should give you a guide. As greenhouse is metal & glass it will be a bit cold but if frost is forecast put some fleece over the bench you have them on. Just sow a little at first then if you need to sow more later.
Hi Sandra,
Nice greenhouse - hope you have many happy hours in it!
Unless you are intending to overwinter lots of sensitive plants I think your money would be better spent on a heating mat rather than heating for your greenhouse. You should be able to get a reasonable sized mat and controller for under £50. That will allow you to start seedlings earlier. Some in particular need heat to germinate: regarding veg chillis and tomatoes in particular (you need to move fast for chillis as they have a long growing season) and most flowers and perennials. Remember that many of our garden flowers originate from much warmer climes.
You should get some dahlia tubers going now which will allow you to propagate them in a month or so, also sweet peas, lupins and delphiniums. You can plant most non-root veg seeds without heat although I'd say you're a bit early for French beans yet.
Enjoy!!
Lovely Sandra
. Certainly milder in your part of the north west judging by your narcissus pots, mine are still green here in Manchester.
Flower wise, you could start with your hardy seeds, sweet peas etc. As others have said check the packets for recommended times & temps. I start a lot of my seeds off indoors in March and then move them out to the greenhouse when it warms up a bit.
I haven't grown all the veg you listed, but it's too early for toms, cukes or French beans yet. Peppers take a while to germinate and need heat, I have some tiny seedlings on the go which I started off indoors in a heated propagator for a head start.
Gardengirl started a seedlings thread, which you're welcome to join in on.
http://www.gardenersworld.com/forum/plants/watching-seedlings-grow-2017/991050.html
Thanks for all the advice, much appreciated.
I'm raring to go, so I sewed two different varieties of sweet peas earlier, and some beetroot.
Excitable boy, I'd love a heating mat but the greenhouse has taken all my spare cash so maybe another time!
I appreciate the need to be patient, and have stronger plants in the long run. It's hard though to resist getting going! Patience has never been my strong point!!
Hi Sandra, congrats on getting the greenhouse. I only had room for a 4' x 6' greenhouse but have grown lots of annuals and overwinter quite a few tender plants. I don't heat it as such but do have a small electric heater with a thermostat that keeps is frost free. I start seeds off on the conservatory window ledge using a heated propogator and then once they are potted on move them into the greenhouse. I'm just sowing annuals now, then later in the year I will sow wallflowers and foxgloves for next year. Good Luck.