The random approach to gyo?

[zazen999]

I was wondering if this approach would work. It might if you don't need to know varieties...and weren't too stressed about spacings.

During the winter, prepare a bag of seed for each month's sowing.

Each week, sow 1/4 of that bag. Straight into a seed tray.

Prick out and pot on as normal. Plant out wherever you have space.

If things are looking like they need to climb, stick a cane next to it to climb up.

Wouldn't work with parsnips or carrots. Or with celery that takes ages to germinate.

Thoughts?

[Aberdeenplotter]

That not how Geoff Hamilton worked in his "ornamental garden" planting veg in any odd space and it seemed to work for him

[Feral007]

I am a random. I have been broadcasting seed onto the garden direct as well. I'm working on the theory 'If it doesn't come up it's not right for that spot. I'm finding I have a couple of 'Not right for anything spots, but live in the hope that something might come up there at last.

My son is very much more organised and likes to know what and where and when. We've grown some lovely weeds whilst I'm working out whether they are edibles or not. But then when you pull them out and throw them on the garden you are Random Composting as well! Bonus.

I think my son is wondering if he can have a garden spot to himself......

[veggiechicken]

Zaz, do you mean completely mixed up seed, radishes, lettuce, cabbage, onions etc, all in one bag? If so, my reservation would be the different germination times. I've had bags of mixed herb seeds before and you have to be careful pricking out the advanced seedlings so as not to damage the stragglers.
If the seed mix contained seeds with similar germination times it could work.
My planting out is always random, wherever there's a space available so that is not an issue for me

[Bigmallly]

Surprise growing, I like it........I guess my only concern would be spacings if you didn't know what it was. I suppose if you mixed say a bag of brassicas or a bag of onions, you could then plan the spacings......just a thought.

[zazen999]

Zaz, do you mean completely mixed up seed, radishes, lettuce, cabbage, onions etc, all in one bag? If so, my reservation would be the different germination times. I've had bags of mixed herb seeds before and you have to be careful pricking out the advanced seedlings so as not to damage the stragglers.
If the seed mix contained seeds with similar germination times it could work.
My planting out is always random, wherever there's a space available so that is not an issue for me

If you reused the compost each time, then eventually they would germinate when they were ready. I often already prick out the bigger seedlings and leave the stragglers - they mostly seem to survive.

[zazen999]

Surprise growing, I like it........I guess my only concern would be spacings if you didn't know what it was. I suppose if you mixed say a bag of brassicas or a bag of onions, you could then plan the spacings......just a thought.

That's why I think you'd have to know your seedlings, but because things grow at different rates; some stuff would be grown and harvested before the longer ones were even half grown.

I might dedicate a bed to this in 2013.

[veggiechicken]

I can see the attraction in mixing all the seeds together, dividing them up into weekly sowing bags and getting into a routine of sowing at regular interval as succession sowing is something I'm not good at. A bag of mixed brassicas and one of roots might be an option.

[Bigmallly]

That's why I think you'd have to know your seedlings, but because things grow at different rates; some stuff would be grown and harvested before the longer ones were even half grown.

I might dedicate a bed to this in 2013.

Well, you know I like my SFG Zaz, this takes it to a different level.

[zazen999]

Sod it - I'm going to do it!!!

I'll use the Veg Growers Planner that we produce at work, select all the seeds for each month [excluding carrots, parsnips, celery and celeriac] and sow one half seed tray each week. I even have a new exercise book to record everything in.

I wonder if Mr Z would be happy receiving my seed tray and putting all the plants generated into his bed at the lottie?

Yay - he didn't even give me the look.

[veggiechicken]

Go for it Zaz! I've already mixed up all my old, out of date seeds and plan to scatter handfuls ad lib hoping that something may germinate. Maybe I'll mix some newer seeds too because, like BM, I like surprises and the unpredictability of it all appeals

[zazen999]

Permaculture Swales-Drying-Germinating Seed All Winter 6-4-2012_0001.wmv - YouTube

[zazen999]

I has seed packets...one for each week.

[veggiechicken]

Are you going to tell us the contents, Zaz?
I watched that vid - Oh to live in New Mexico! He seemed to be saying - sow what you like whenever you like as the seed will choose when to germinate - not the seed packet.

[Bigmallly]

I has seed packets...one for each week.

Gees!....once you make your mind up girl, you don't mess around..........