Early crops in a 6x8 green house

[Jimmy]

I have a 6x8 green house, normally unheated.
In spring I put in a large bench size propogator to start my Toms etc.
It's in from about start of March to end of April.
I would like to grow early lettuce and possibly other crops.
Any suggestions as to varieties, timings etc.
Can I grow the in the GH and not in the propogator.
Ta Jimmy

[Sanjo]

I have (I am) growing lettuce, radish, spring onion in the currently unheated greenhouse although the lettuce (Little Gem) is at the moment in the propagator and I shall prick them out into a deep tray. I have also grown beetroot in old washing up bowls. If there are any still in the greenhouse once the weather warms I shall transfer them to my fleece covered salad bed.
I am sure that once some of the other grapeviners start getting in from work somebody else will be able to guide you.

As far as I know, a propagator is for starting seeds. I wouldn't think myself of using it for growing anything.

[Jimmy]

Thanks for the reply.
I love Little Gem and grow loads in my raised beds.
Is there any problems with them in GH and
1) Sufficient day light
2) Damping off
Jimmy

[marathon]

peas, carrots and spinach for bay leaves

[rustylady]

I would sow mixed salad leaves (probably in cell trays). Germinate on kitchen windowsill and move to greenhouse. Cut and come again, and cells can be transplanted into bigger pots or troughs to mature.

[Sanjo]

Thanks for the reply.
I love Little Gem and grow loads in my raised beds.
Is there any problems with them in GH and
1) Sufficient day light
2) Damping off
Jimmy

Well, they weren't fully hearted but as slugs weren't a problem in there the grandaughter and I just pulled young and used them in a sarnie (or in her case almost straight in her mouth), same with radishes which we ate whole, leaves included.
I had no damping off problems either and the light seemed sufficient enough to get them to germinate and grow big enough to eat.
It's true that I am not a big salad eater in the winter, but sometimes you just feel the need for a bit of fresh green don't you!!
I should also have said Jimmy, that as well as Little Gem we grew some Winter Density( Suttons Cos) both in the ground (sown Sept) and some in the greenhouse.
The greenhouse ones we grazed on just like little gem and the outside ones are still there. I am not so keen on them though as they seem a much stronger flavour and, certainly those from the garden, a much firmer texture.
I was about to pull them up this week but then decided that the birds might as well munch on them as well!
Those that are in my sheltered salad bed outside the greenhouse survived in a better state (ie not so tatty) and as this bed has now been covered by my fleece cloche I am expecting them to pick up a bit and put on some growth.
I also have spring onions in the salad bed sown at the back end of last year, too late to put on much growth so I just left them and they now look like they are growing.
It was worth doing in our opinion and at the end of this year I may well leave the cover on and take what salads i can through the winter
They survived the snow and although a bit tatty looking some of it is edible.

[Jimmy]

Thanks for more replies.
Last week I went to Wilkinsons in Preston and bought a load of seed packets, 3 for £1.50, including lettuce.

They didn't have Charlotte potatoes that I wanted.
Yesterday we had a trip to Southport and Wilkinsons there had a good selection of tatties. So I got 4 packets of Charlotte at 97p a pack and a number of others including pink fir apple.

Most the Charllotes will go in a raised bed and hopefully be OK as last year I tried Rocket and they were riddled with wireworm.

I also have 3 spud bags which will get a selection and go in the green house. They did well last year. The spud bags are really only viable if you have loads of home made compost, otherwise for the cost of compost you might as well just buy spuds. Not the same I know !
Jimmy