indoors or in unheated mini greenhouse

[Reks]

hi,
Last sunday I planted some runner beans, french beans, tomato and basil in 3inch size peat pots. I have been keeping them moist and are in my kicthen by window sill on a tray that is north facing, so no direct sun at all. They haven't germinated yet. 2 days back I bought a 4 tier mini green house from Wilkos. It had a plastic cover and is in my back garden in against a wall and receives no direct sunlight. I am not sure if I can move my peat pots into the mini green house. I am worried that as temperature drops in the evening my beans/tomatoes/Basil will not germniate. Should I wait till they germinate indoors before moving them to the mini greenhouse or should I be ok to more them now. I live 30 miles west of London. Last year I had a very bad experience when I ended up with leggy bean plants.

cheers
Rekha

[Growem]

Can you move the pots to a window with sunlight? That's what I would do, as they will need sunlight or they'll get leggy again.

[Reks]

you mean direct sunlight? yes my living room window sil is southfacing and gets good sun throughout the day. If so then should I leave the pots open, since I was getting worried they might not be warm enough I tied clign film to the pots.

[Capsid]

Can't you sow the beans directly in their growing position in late May/June to avoid the leggy plants?

I'd germinate the toms and basil indoors and then move them to the mini greenhouse when they show their first true leaves. Bring them indoors at night if you are concerned about frosts.

[Reks]

Thanks Capsid - I could sow them direct, but wanted to be ready with a mini plant by the time the weather got warmer. For tomato and basil will continue keeping them by my kitchen window sil and move outside when the first leaves show.

[Growem]

The cling film is there to keep the moisture in. So as long as you keep on top of watering, you won't need it. I just germinated some basil without cover. And really, until everything has sprouted, you don't need much sun, just the warmth. Which of course the sun also provides.

[Reks]

Hey guess what, my basil, tomatoes and bean plants have started showing up. Once I see the first set of leaves I will move them to my unheated greenhouse so they can develop strong roots.

Thanks a lot for your help.

[Growem]

Great news.