Where to sow

[rpt]

You can sow seeds into seed trays, modules, pots, loo rolls and Rootrainers. You can direct sow into the ground in rows or station sow. Which vegetable would you sow where and why? Would you sow into seed trays and then prick out into modules or Rootrainers, or always sow into the module?

For example, you might sow beans and peas into Rootrainers or loo rolls because of their long roots. You could do the same with onions. I know some people use Rootrainers for carrots and parsnips whereas the advice is usually to sow direct. Would you ever sow lettuce, say, in a Rootrainer?

The advantage of direct sowing is not needing any compost or having to transplant, but you have to thin them out and weeding is tricky until you can identify the wanted seedlings.

[Bren In Pots]

I sow beans and parsnips in loo rolls, everything else gets sown into trays /paper pots apart from carrots that I sow direct.
This way works of me because i grow in my garden and have limited space so every inch needs a viable plant with out any gaps.

[rpt]

Do you prick seedlings out of the trays into pots or do they go straight into the bed?

[Two_Sheds]

direct sowing ....weeding is tricky

You forgot the worst thing: slugs. They will eat everything I sow, which is why I sow everything (bar carrots & parsnips) into modules

I don't get on with root trainers, I find them extremely fiddly and I don't get good germination: there's too much compost to go wet & sour. 3" pots work better, imo

[tamsin]

Yep, depends on you and where they are ending up. If you've got an allotment sized patch of peas you are much more likely to sow direct than if your planning on half a dozen in the garden.

I wouldn't sow lettuce in root trainners, but I would start the first batch in pots to germinate then plant out early.

[Kaiya]

You forgot the worst thing: slugs. They will eat everything I sow, which is why I sow everything (bar carrots & parsnips) into modules

I do this, although more due to an inability to water the lottie during the week than slugs. I have terrible problems with carrots and parsnips - just can't seem to grow them. I'm thinking of trying Parmex or other globe types just to be able to module sow them, and starting parsnips in loo rolls or pos buying them some root trainers as my loo rolls always go a bit manky. Though I'm not convinced by root trainers - looked at some at the weekend and they looked very fragile.

So yes - I use modules for almost everything until I run out of modules. Sometimes I use seed trays or mushroom trays for and then pot in into pots, but most of the time I use modules and then put them straight out. I don't have the space or the pots to be potting on from modules. To give the plants some extra food, I fill the bottom of the modules with multi purpose and put seed compost on top, theory being by the time they start growing sensible roots they'll hit the food store. The only things I've started in pots this year are curcurbits, and I used a few loo rolls because I ran out of modules for the sweetcorn.

[Two_Sheds]

I fill the bottom of the modules with multi purpose and put seed compost on top

Why don't you just use MPC? I do, I never buy proper seed compost

[Moo's Mum]

Like Bren, I also have to grow in my garden, so have started most things off in modules/trays. The only exceptions are potatoes, beetroot and swiss chard. I've sown these directly into my plot.
My carrots were sown directly into surplus recycling boxes (thank you Newport council!!). My soil is quite stoney and although I've thoroughly dug and worked my plot, it's still throwing up stones, so have sieved soil into the recycling boxes and sowed the carrots in there. They are doing really well so far.
Salad leaves, lettuce, radish and spring onions are in long plastic troughs that I've had for years.

[Kaiya]

Why don't you just use MPC? I do, I never buy proper seed compost

Next year I plan not to, but I was seduced by an open packet of westland seed compost at at garden centre. So fine and soft - like a duvet for seeds. Next year they're getting sieved MPC!

[Bren In Pots]

Do you prick seedlings out of the trays into pots or do they go straight into the bed?

Seedling go into paper pots then the whole thing gets planted and things like courgettes and cucs go into 3inch pots then they get potted on until its time for them to go outside.

[Gemmalaveen]

I try to sow directly where possible - broad beans, peas, spuds, lettuce, chard, radish, onions and garlic - but I also keep a series of modules on the go with loads of spares to fill any gaps. This does mean that I have quite a higgledy plot in some places with lettuce, chard and pak choi being my standard gap filler. I am hoping this will help to deter pests!