Seed sowing and space!!

[*Lavender*]

Hello again!

I'm now getting geared up for my 1st year on the allotment, making up huge lists of what I want to grow, but have now come up against a hurdle!

I don't have a greenhouse (don't even have a shed yet!), although I do have a rather small polycarbonate mini greenhouse in the garden at home. However, it only has room for about 6 seed trays I reckon, so I'm wondering what to do about all the seeds I'll need to plant under cover (courgettes, squash, sweetcorn, peas, beans, tomatoes etc).

I live in central Scotland so it's quite late before we can plant outdoors, so I assumed I'd have to start most off under cover - am I right?

Do you think it would be worth me getting one of those plastic walk-in "greenhouses" for this season, or would I manage? Also to add, I don't have much room on windowsills indoors either!

TIA!

[COMPOST CORNER]

Even down here in the midlands I don't start Courgettes until April, Sweetcorn & squash late May, Tomatoes I will do in February (second half) so stagger them and you should be alright in the small polycarbonate GH.
Someone with far more experience that hasn't just got in will give further advice I'm sure

[Two_Sheds]

all the seeds I'll need to plant under cover (courgettes, squash, sweetcorn, peas, beans, tomatoes etc).

Peas don't need any cover.

Beans - grow fast and don't need a long season to crop (unless you're drying them). Start them in April. Ditto courgettes.

Sweetcorn - grow an early variety, sow in April (it needs a shorter season to crop in)

Ditto squash. Forget butternuts if you're in Scotland without a greenhouse.

That leaves tomatoes: start them off as early as you can, space permitting. You may want to buy some plants in April/May, so you get some fruit earlier.

[Flummery]

I second Two Sheds' proposal! I also recommend windowsills, so long as you bring the seedlings into the room at noght - it can get perishing on a sill behind drawn curtains. The problem with the small plastic greenhouses is that they blow over, scattering your precious babies and mixing up the labels!

[*Lavender*]

Thanks guys!

Seeing as it's my 1st year I think I need to prune my wish list a bit - think I was getting carried away a bit! Looking again, I think I might get away with the small greenhouse I have at the moment.

I may cheat and buy some tomato plug plants, or leave them altogether. I'm still unsure if outdoor tomatoes are do-able up here! Although, a few years ago I did get a reasonable crop of cherry tomatoes from a few plants in containers in my rather warm & sheltered garden. I'm thinking that my plan for a few varieties up at the allotment might be more bother than it's actually worth!

I'm disappointed about the butternut squash though - that was one I was really looking forward to!

Thanks again!

*Lavender*

[Snadger]

First we have 'Moon Gardening' and now 'Seed sowing and Space'!

What next I wonder????

[oldie]

Growing in Space?

[COMPOST CORNER]

Thanks guys!

Seeing as it's my 1st year I think I need to prune my wish list a bit - think I was getting carried away a bit! Looking again, I think I might get away with the small greenhouse I have at the moment.

I may cheat and buy some tomato plug plants, or leave them altogether. I'm still unsure if outdoor tomatoes are do-able up here! Although, a few years ago I did get a reasonable crop of cherry tomatoes from a few plants in containers in my rather warm & sheltered garden. I'm thinking that my plan for a few varieties up at the allotment might be more bother than it's actually worth!

I'm disappointed about the butternut squash though - that was one I was really looking forward to!

Thanks again!

*Lavender*

if you have a bit of spare room, give it a go, you never know, we might get a good summer.

[Dane End Dolly]

I normally take over the spare room and the OH goes mad to the point he has bought me a greenhouse to put all the seedlings in, i have not got the heart to tell him i still need to use the spare room for the tender plants......hee hee

[Bren In Pots]

Dolly mine was under the same illusion until I mentioned that my greenhouse wasn't heated.

[piskieinboots]

and in amongst all this - just remember you have the wonderful Beechgrove Garden on your TV very soon

[Bigmallly]

I'm disappointed about the butternut squash though - that was one I was really looking forward to!

Thanks again!

*Lavender*

Don't dismiss it Lavendar, give it a go indoors if poss. What's the worse that could happen, you lose a few seeds.

[sweetiepea]

I'm in the same situation *Lavender* as far as planting outdoors is concerned. I do have a small greenhouse, but even so, it's still too early for me to start much off in it. Follow Two Sheds advice, and don't try to start everything now. As far as the plastic greenhouse is concerned, they do tend to 'take flight' and can also suffer damage in strong winds. I'd only recommend one if you have a VERY sheltered position for one, and if you can keep an eye on it (in the garden rather than the lottie perhaps).

[basketcase]

Ditto squash. Forget butternuts if you're in Scotland without a greenhouse.

What varieties can you grow TS? (Sorry, mean to hijack over the thread).

That should, of course be DON'T mean! *blushes*

[Cazzy]

Thats not good news about the BNS. I'm in the central belt too Lavender and tried to grow some last year but I was really late in getting them started, they suffered quite badly with mildew and didn't produce any squashes.

I wasn't aware that they wouldn't grow here, I just thought my failure was due to my bad timing and i've gone and bought more seed for this year