Module Sowing

[broadway]

Morning Folks

I was considering starting off my onion sets, garlic, and BB's in modules Oct/Nov.

If I were to do this when would I transfer to their permanent postion?

How deep would the BB modules need to be?

Is this a waste of time, should I just plant in the permanent position by mid November? My reason for considering this option is to initially save on the amount of compost used.

[mcdood]

I plant garlic straight in the ground and then stick any spares in modules in case there are any non-showers. Onion sets dont need a lot of compost in the module just enough to allow them to establish a few roots before planting out. Broad beans I sow in toilet rolls.
All of them can go straight in the ground tbh if you want so save on compost.
Then maybe just put a few of each in modules as spares?

[broadway]

I plant garlic straight in the ground and then stick any spares in modules in case there are any non-showers. Onion sets dont need a lot of compost in the module just enough to allow them to establish a few roots before planting out. Broad beans I sow in toilet rolls.
All of them can go straight in the ground tbh if you want so save on compost.
Then maybe just put a few of each in modules as spares?

Thanks mcdood

Perhaps I should have also mentioned that my raised beds may not be ready in time to plant straight out!!

[Jimny14]

When will you hopefully have your raised beds ready to plant Danny?

[broadway]

When will you hopefully have your raised beds ready to plant Danny?

Hi Jimny

I'm hoping mid Nov however I wanted the materials to rot down a bit. Was gonna line with cardboard then manure, coffee grinds, and lastly spent compost. Then a layer of MPC when planting up, what do you think?

I suppose and can just wait and plant directly in Mar/Apr? Would this be a problem as the garlic and sets say plat Sept-Dec.

[burnie]

I don't usually put manure and compost into a bed at the same time, manure goes in first and the compost several months later.

[broadway]

I don't usually put manure and compost into a bed at the same time, manure goes in first and the compost several months later.

Hi Burnie

Sorry that's what I meant ish, the grounds manure and spent compost / soil layered in Nov then the MPC in Mar/Apr before planting?

[bario1]

Assuming BBs are broad beans, then I would suggest root trainers rather than modules, as they like a bit of depth underneath them to anchor the large-ish top growth.

[Penellype]

Regarding planting time, you need to plant the garlic so that it can overwinter as without a cold period it will not split into cloves. Similarly if you start them off in modules they will need to be outside before the weather warms up in spring. The same may apply to the onions if they are an autumn planting variety - I am not sure they will grow properly if not overwintered outside. Someone who knows more about autumn planting onions may contradict this, if so, they are more likely to be right than I am. Broad beans are fine either way but will be earlier if planted in autumn. I use modules for peas and beans mainly to stop mice eating the seeds and slugs eating the young shoots.

[broadway]

Assuming BBs are broad beans, then I would suggest root trainers rather than modules, as they like a bit of depth underneath them to anchor the large-ish top growth.

Thanks Bario1

Yes was assuming RT's, toilet rolls or similar. That said any issues with just waiting until spring?

[broadway]

Regarding planting time, you need to plant the garlic so that it can overwinter as without a cold period it will not split into cloves. Similarly if you start them off in modules they will need to be outside before the weather warms up in spring. The same may apply to the onions if they are an autumn planting variety - I am not sure they will grow properly if not overwintered outside. Someone who knows more about autumn planting onions may contradict this, if so, they are more likely to be right than I am. Broad beans are fine either way but will be earlier if planted in autumn. I use modules for peas and beans mainly to stop mice eating the seeds and slugs eating the young shoots.

Hi Penellype

Yes take your point re garlic and onions and will plant out Oct/Nov either in situ or modules.

Can I take this opportunity to compliment you on your ongoing threads, you are an inspiration

[bario1]

I don't bother overwintering broadies any more - they rarely survive (might be better where you are though). I sow in root trainers under cover in February and plant out sometime in March or April (at which point the soil is warm enough for a direct sowing at the same time).

[ameno]

I suppose and can just wait and plant directly in Mar/Apr? Would this be a problem as the garlic and sets say plat Sept-Dec.

It would definitely be a problem for the garlic, as they need winter chill to encourage them to split. Without that, you'll just end up with one big clove.
The onions I think would be fine in theory, but in practice I'm not sure the sets would survive until then. I think they'd just shrivel up.

[broadway]

I don't bother overwintering broadies any more - they rarely survive (might be better where you are though). I sow in root trainers under cover in February and plant out sometime in March or April (at which point the soil is warm enough for a direct sowing at the same time).

Hi Bario

I did some last year and they were ok so I will plan to sow as many as I have RT's / loo rolls and compliment with an additional sowing in spring:-)

[broadway]

It would definitely be a problem for the garlic, as they need winter chill to encourage them to split. Without that, you'll just end up with one big clove.
The onions I think would be fine in theory, but in practice I'm not sure the sets would survive until then. I think they'd just shrivel up.

Hi Ameno

Now agree I will sow the garlic and onions this year:-)