Not much luck with seeds

[jackie j]

This year as it was my first year with an allotment I took my Plastic greenhouse down there, most of my seeds havent germinated very poor results, bought seeds from local market, who gets them from Edwin Tucker & Sons, used usual brand of compost.
I think it maybe because the garden where I usually have them is more sheltered therefore warmer than allotment.
Will bring it back home next year.

[Cutecumber]

What seeds did you sow, and when?

There's no reason why they wouldn't work in the plastic greenhouse if sown at the right time.

Having said that, it's a lot easier to keep an eye on things in your garden, so perhaps you'll regain control by having it closer to hand.

[jackie j]

I have sown
Artic plenty free with mag a few showing but not very good.
Money maker again about 6 out of 40 showing .
Sweetcorn they are ok might be too hot
Runnerbeans ok planted them out now
Cauliflower all year round were ok but not anymore dried up.
Other seeds but cant remember what now.
All planted at the time it said on the packet and some even later.
Will definatly do them at home next year garden has a wall and fence on 2 sides so warmer and sheltered.

[Michelle]

I've also had a couple of things that won't germinate this year - sweet peppers, courgettes and runner beans.

These are all new packets of seed bought this year and all grown in a little windowsill propagator on a conservatory windowsill.

How long do courgettes and runners take to germinate? I didn't write down the exact date but it must be a week and half by now... am I just being impatient!?

Michelle

[Cutecumber]

Jackie j -

The tomatoes need steady warmth - they can be tricky in an environment where the temperature is erratic. Better to try indoors.

Cauliflower - doesn't need to be in much heat at all to germinate. It's all too easy to cook the seedlings as you have discovered!

Michelle - just wait a while. As long as they are not soaking wet they should appear.

[Michelle]

Hmmm... perhaps they are a little too wet. Don't have an allotment anymore so my parents are in charge of all my veg in their small garden - I'm blaming them for all my failures! They've already drowned my first batch of tomatoes... maybe I need to start again with the courgettes and runners too!!

M

[jackie j]

At least its not too late to buy plants !!! think thats what I will do for somethings.
Everything I have planted on the allotment ( in the ground ) so far has been successful.
Just the greenhouse has let me down.

[Flummery]

It's not cheating to buy a few plants. I bought one cucumber - one of the female types you grow in the greenhouse. One should be enough and no point in buying a packet of seeds. I also (don't tell Mr Flum!) bought a tomato plant on Friday. Well, I have Sub-arctic Plenty, Sungold, Tiger Tom, Black Cherry, Black Krim, Golden Sunrise, Black Sea Man, a locally saved Bulgarian one from Phreddy and Green Zebra - then I went into a garden centre and saw a Brandywine! I mean, honestly, what could I do? No-one here would convict me I'm sure! Self saved seeds for next year from all but the sungold (F1) so, bargain eh?