Sowing the seeds

[WiZeR]

Hi Guys.

This is probably one of those dummy questions, but here goes: Why do I have to have a seed bed? Why can't I sow each seed directly where I want it to go? I realise that some seeds are better to start off indoors and that you can get ahead of yourself this way. But it seems a lot of books are saying to sow the seed indoors, then plant in a seed bed, then plant in the veg bed. Also, when sowing seeds indoors, why do you have to sow in a seed tray, then 'pot on'. Why not just sow in the bigger pot to begin with?

Lots of questions, your views much apprecieated.

[Nicos]

We don't use a seedbed. Trays are only used for seeds such as lettuce and leeks and plants with shallow roots. The rest we put into 3ins square pots until they are ready to plant out in situ.
Part of the problem with this is that it uses up more space . It maybe restricts the rootgrowth a little but I have not noticed this , and infact the roots seem to be less disturbed. You don't 'have to' do anything...just work out what suits your life-style best and if it means a slightly reduced crop by not quite following the text books , then so be it! you just may not win prizes for the biggest and best veg. Plants like broad beans, french beans,peas,parsnip,carrot,beetroot,celeriac, all seem to grow at the same rate whether from direct sowing or potting on in our experience (but we do use a lot of fleece and this may affect the outcome)

[WiZeR]

so sowing in to bigger pots will reduce the size of the vegetable?

[Nicos]

doubt it- but you may be tempted to let them grow on a little too big and cause overcrowding of the roots. Then when you seperate them to plant up ,you may damage the roots if you're not very gentle. I suppose this could happen in seed trays and as they have less soil depth the stresses on the seedlings would be greater. I think seed beds probably give more space for the root system to develop and therefore a healthier plant and so a higher crop yield! Keeping on transfering from one place to another could well counter-act this by shocking the seedlings.No-one likes to be disturbed from their bed!

[Green Great]

Plants dont like being in a bigger pot than they need be as the send their roots out so far and the plant cant actually concentrate on the production of the crop. It is also near impossible to sow every seed straight into your plot so you said it yourself just pot indoors and you will be fine.

[Beryl]

I always think of seeds as being my babies and you wouldn't put a new baby into an adult bed. They need to feel secure in their cots first before growing into a larger bed.
As has been said before, you will have a better plant if you take the time and trouble to pot on to a larger size when the plant has filled it's pot with root.
Seeds in trays can be started earlier than in a seed bed for obvious reasons.

A seed bed is used in a similar way when the soil has warmed up - by thinning the plants and using the strongest to plant out.

Some plants are better, such as tomatoes and brassicas for potting on deeply up to their seeds leaves as this encourages the plant to make more roots.

[nick the grief]

Hi GG,

Your better to sow them into smaller pots and pot them up a couple of times that to go straight to the big pot.

One of the problems with using a big pot is that the compost around the edges could be stale by the time the roots get to it, also, there is less chance to over water in smaller pots and they won't be sitting in a "paddy field" for days on end.

I'm sure Geordie will offer the proper reason, but this goes for my chrysanth cuttings anyway.