Need to pull finger out...

[Baldy]

I've got a feeling this season might be a challenge.
Man shed is getting close to sorted at home - but its not warm enough for seeds there yet and I've had to concede defeat to Mrs Balders about seeds on the kitchen windowsills.

(Its a bit 'meh' this love honour and obey malarky - though thinking about it I don't think either of us actually signed up to that...)

I've already realised that any hot chilli isn't going to be coming from seed this year.

On the positive side of things the plot is in pretty good shape - so I think I'll be concentrating on relatively easy things like onions this year. (I was going to type 'onions, leeks and carrots' then remembered the lack of success I usually have with carrots and leeks...)

Hmm.
I guess heated propagators in the shed should be viable by the end of Feb for quite a few things.
Anyone use loft space with growlights ( for chillies etc ) with a loft ladder? Would be a bit of a pain but I spose it might work...

[veggiechicken]

Seeds can be started anywhere in a prop - don't need to be a windowsill - and when they're seedlings they don't have to be on kitchen windowsills - it can be any windowsill with good light. Mine are in my bedroom so that I can read them a story at bedtime.

Stop being so defeatist and get on with it!

[Baldy]

Meh


....

[mrbadexample]

Is Mrs Balders pleased when you bring her home a harvest? It might be worth reminding her, if that's the case?

[Philthy]

Balders, where is your finger?

Think Deano grows in a loft space(?) Seem to recall a pic of his grow light rig in such a location, well close up under a low ceiling. Maybe. It'd certainly be well out of the way, but will you remember to water them? You could always set a camera up so you can check watering status without having to climb up there each time.

[Cadalot]

Balders I feel your pain there cosmic twin. Mrs C had every horizontal surface and window ledge filled with what I like to refer to as "crap" ornaments, photos all those kind of trinket dust traps. I have tried to explain that window cill propagators look lovely when full of baby seedlings, but I can't convince her.

I need to dig out / uncover my two portable grow stations as I have buried them with files and work in my broom cupboard office.

[Snoop Puss]

Well, if you accept growing chillis not from seed, why not do the same with leeks and just buy some in?

As for everything else, you could do what I do, and that is traipse in and out every morning and night so your seedlings get sunlight during the day and then cosseted at night indoors (wherever you think will be permitted).

Either that or get some heating for your shed... Expensive, I know, but needs must.

[Lardman]

Here's what I've jerry-rigged.



It's in a cupboard out of the way. Heated prop and a single LED grow bulb - I'm not paying for the proper grow lights for a few chilli peppers! The plan is to start and hold the seedlings until the weather is warm enough to get them into the greenhouse - perhaps 6 weeks from now. Nothing fancy or large scale. 12 on and 12 off with the light and cost me about 6 quid to set up.

[Miss Mousetrousers]

Balders, why can't you grow leeks? Even I can manage that! Do they not germinate or what/

[Baldy]

Never claimed to be any good at this growing malarky did I...

[Baldy]

... they grow

....


..... just not very much

(I blame the sea air)

[Chrissyteacup]

See MrTeacup has a no plants inside rule (my unruly orchid is the exception and 4 overwinter chillis) but heated propagator is in the garage on its windowsill! It’s the best I can give it. On chilly nights I wrap in fleece then unwrap in morning not ideal but I chose to live with him

[Lumpy]

What have you got to pull your finger out of Balders.....