The random approach to gyo?

[Bigmallly]

I've done this with herbs, trees and perennials in the past and it is exciting watching the different seedlings coming through and matching them to what you think should be there. In most cases it doesn't really matter whether you're right or wrong as they'll all turn into something you want

Agree, but you need a general idea as you don't want to put a cabbage in a space you may only fit an onion.......

[veggiechicken]

But they are obviously different seedlings - its more radish and turnip, or spring onion and leek confusion

[zazen999]

Agree, but you need a general idea as you don't want to put a cabbage in a space you may only fit an onion.......

Aah, but that's the thing. If a cabbage went next to a lettuce then the lettuce will have long gone by the time you came to harvest the cabbage. The chances are that there will nearly always be space on the other 3 sides to let the crop grow.

[veggiechicken]

Trying to think this through! I can see 12 half seed trays. each with a different weeks' sowing, with seedlings of various types at different stages of development in each. Each week you prick out the most advanced seedlings and ?maybe have to pot them on until they reach planting out size. The advantage is that you have staggered sowings of everything but, once they're at planting out stage you'll have a pretty good idea whether they're cabbage or lettuce. You'll also have a lot of pots and trays.
I feel I'm missing something here and I'm not sure what

[zazen999]

Trying to think this through! I can see 12 half seed trays. each with a different weeks' sowing, with seedlings of various types at different stages of development in each. Each week you prick out the most advanced seedlings and ?maybe have to pot them on until they reach planting out size. The advantage is that you have staggered sowings of everything but, once they're at planting out stage you'll have a pretty good idea whether they're cabbage or lettuce. You'll also have a lot of pots and trays.
I feel I'm missing something here and I'm not sure what

I'd prick the larger ones into larger deeper seed trays and resow into that same tray. Just adding a bit more compost into the gaps.

So probably only 4 or 5 on the go at once.

Remember it's random!

Larger deeper flats [seed trays] taken to lottie and planted out as soon as the seedlings are big enough. Say 2-3 weeks in small trays, 2-3 weeks in big ones then out into the lottie. 2-3 weeks in big trays = hardened off.

[zazen999]

Taking this back to 18 dec so that I can start when I put onions in.

[veggiechicken]

Taking this back to 18 dec so that I can start when I put onions in.

Are these random onions or a random mix of allsorts?

[zazen999]

Are these random onions or a random mix of allsorts?

Random mix.

The only thing not random is putting them into their correct sowing months. Everything else is...randomish.

A structured approach to randomness one might say.

[veggiechicken]

I do like a bit of random It'll be interesting
I'm trying to think of a slightly different random method that would work for me in my random garden. When I've sussed it I'll put it here for consideration!

[zazen999]

I do like a bit of random It'll be interesting
I'm trying to think of a slightly different random method that would work for me in my random garden. When I've sussed it I'll put it here for consideration!

I might have one for you to ponder once I have found the link on you tube...I can't remember the lady's name though.

[veggiechicken]

Just pick any random Youtube then

[zazen999]

Seeds from 18 December 2012 to 8 October 2013 - all packed.

[veggiechicken]

That's the most organised random approach I've ever seen

[horticultural_hobbit]

For me, random growing means where can I plug it in and play with it. Some vague logic, but not alot!

[Kaiya]

Given that this year one of my six brussels turned out to be a cabbage, and my turnips disappeared entirely (I can't tell the difference between turnips and radishes apparently), and I'm not sure if I actually have a parsnip (just the one) or if it's a weed with a fat root that I'm nurturing, perhaps I should try this? With an organised approach I'm getting a bizarre mix of plants, I might as well just sow with abandon.

On a pragmatic note, my only concern is onions. How do you tell the difference between a salad onion and an immature yellow onion without just waiting to see if they grow bigger?