Could someone please explain the theory behind seedbeds?

[tessafly]

Hi all,

First post... here goes

I am starting my first veg garden from seed. A few guys are happily growing on the windowsill, but some seeds suggest "planting into a well prepared seed bed" (cauliflower, for example).

Forgive my ignorance, but for why? I have two raised planters that I built waiting to be planted up. What would be the major difference between planting in these and thinning etc VS a seedbed and then planting out?

Many thanks,

Tessa

[SarzWix]

Using a seed-bed or 'nursery' bed means you can grow on a lot of plants quite close together, which you then plant at proper spacings later when another crop is over. After early potatoes for eg. Personally, I just sow in module/cell trays instead.

[Hazel at the Hill]

Welcome to the Vine, Tessafly.

The reason that seedbeds are used is to optimise space - if you have peas and beans growing in a bed, for example, until late summer, you can start your brassicas in a seed bed and they can get going for a month or so and will be ready for transplanting to their final spaces when the peas & beans are done and dusted.

[tessafly]

Thank you both for your speedy replies.

That makes perfect sense now. Having the next batch of plants ready to plant out when something else is finished. I was stuck on the notion it was something the seeds needed but couldn't see what an extra alternative (between germinating indoors/ under glass or sowing direct) would achieve.

Gracias!

[greenishfing]

I always have a seedbed for my brassicas. I usually grow 4 or 5 different sorts of cauliflowers (to give me caulis throughout most of the year) as well as kale, 2 types of PSB, cabbage and sprouts. I find sowing them outdoors gives me stronger plants with a strong root system when ready to transplant and if the local flying rats (pigeons) are being viscious I can easily net the whole bed. Once they reach planting out size the pigeons seem to leave them alone.

[Alison]

They are much more likely to get slugged in a seed bed

[bearded bloke]

I try to compromise & have seed trays in the "blowaway" cold frame thing

[greenishfing]

They are much more likely to get slugged in a seed bed

Oddly enough slugs never seem to attack my outdoor brassica seed bed. I'm not sure if they're too busy getting ready to attack the strawberries and potatoes or if they're frightened of the divebombing pigeons.

[tessafly]

I always have a seedbed for my brassicas. I usually grow 4 or 5 different sorts of cauliflowers (to give me caulis throughout most of the year) as well as kale, 2 types of PSB, cabbage and sprouts. I find sowing them outdoors gives me stronger plants with a strong root system when ready to transplant and if the local flying rats (pigeons) are being viscious I can easily net the whole bed. Once they reach planting out size the pigeons seem to leave them alone.

I planted some cauliflower seed in pots today (an all year rounder and a romanesco). I guess it's better to pop that outside then? The pots are on my windowsill right now, indoors.

[Two_Sheds]

. A few guys are happily growing on the windowsill, but some seeds suggest "planting into a well prepared seed bed" (cauliflower, for example).

Greenhouses are usually too warm for the brassicas, causing them to grow leggy and weak

[Alison]

The only brassicas I sow in the house are sprouts and that's because they're the first ones I sow and it's usually very cold outside. As soon as they are properly through they move out to the cold greenhouse. The next ones I sow in the greenhouse but by now they're usually in a covered frame outside that is open on one side so never gets too hot but they get a bit of shelter.

[tessafly]

The only brassicas I sow in the house are sprouts and that's because they're the first ones I sow and it's usually very cold outside. As soon as they are properly through they move out to the cold greenhouse. The next ones I sow in the greenhouse but by now they're usually in a covered frame outside that is open on one side so never gets too hot but they get a bit of shelter.

Have you started caulies yet? It is still quite cold here (can be sunny, doesn't get over 12-13 degrees, seems frost free at night).

My greenhouse gets boiling hot during the day....