The Garden Community for Garden Lovers

*FIRST SOWING*

34 comments


I’ve never done this before but

When I purchased the new green house last year, Ive been adding bits and pieces, like lights, heating, insulation and just generally getting ready to sow seeds earlier than I usually do. There are various reasons why Ive decided to do this, mainly to get a head start and plant out earlier, save money spent on plugs and also to sell some plants at boot sales come the spring, this helps to pay for some of the overheads spent on heating lighting etc. during the winter. It also gives me great satisfaction seeing my efforts come to fruition.
I have recently purchased some light reflectors for the greenhouse and I intend to keep these on 8-10 hours a day.

I’ve bought loads of seeds this year and was also given some as Christmas presents. They are all simple to grow, and include…
Verbena Hybrida, mammoth mixed
Petunia,Nana compacta stars mixed
Cosmos, Bipinnatus daydream, sensation.
Gazania, Sunshine hybrid
Zinnia, whirligig. (from U.S.A.)
Salpiglossis, blue stained glass. (from U.S.A.)
Zinnia, Queen red lime. (from U.S.A.)
Rubeckia, cherry brandy.
Gaillardia
Fhygelius (cape fuschia)
Coleus, mixed.
Marigold, french naughty marietta, petite, double french drawf petite, gems mixed.
Morning Glory
Mesembryanthemum, mixed
Sweet pea, giant waved.

Now, there are approx. 3200 seeds there alone, so where do I start ?
I decided to sow the Petunias first, as these are probably the best sellers at boot sales, and the smallest seeds out of the lot.

I prepared the seeding trays with multi purpose mixed with perlite, and emptied some seeds on a piece of white paper. Well what a carry on!
I couldn’t pick the seeds up with my fingers, as they were to small, so I “borrowed” Julie’s tweezers and they done the job, but I only managed to do about 160 seeds , because I only have the one propagator.
I’ve got a heating mat on order.
I’ve put the tweezers back in the bathroom, just hope there’s no seeds left on them, I will check Julie’s eyebrows in a couple of weeks.
Back in October I planted peony corms that I bought In Majorca, 5 out of 10 have emerged, not bad I suppose, don’t know what they will finish up like, but they only cost 5 Euro’s.

I digress, after fiddling about with the seeds,I originally intended to put one seed into one cell, I ended up sprinkling them over the trays. Then put a thin layer of vermiculite over them.

I only managed to do about 160 Petunias and 30 sweet peas because I think its best to wait for the heating mat to arrive.
I switched the propagator on and sat back listening to the dab.
I don’t know about anyone else, but I’m in my own little world when I’m in the greenhouse and I can just sit in there for ages, just relaxing thinking and planning.
Sometime before Christmas I got some bargain Salvias (inspired by Spritz), and I kept them in the greenhouse since, mainly because I did’nt have time to plant them out down the bowling green. I know I will probably have to harden these off a bit , before I plant them out this year, but I don’t know if I should cut back this one. Icing Sugar.

This is one of my other Salvia’s, one of three, Arriba I think they are called. They have been flowering since I got them. Is this good for the plant or do they actually need a period of rest ?

Meanwhile, I checked the propagator to make sure it was working, it hasn’t got a thermostat, couldn’t afford one at the time. Then I realised it does help if you plug it in, Doh. Oh well never mind, another half hour sitting about, dreaming.
Thankfully it was in good working order and all seems OK.
I only saved one Geranium from last year, don’t ask me why, but I should have taken loads of cuttings. Something to do this year. Its never stopped flowering.

I planted loads of daff’s out the front back in November, but they are not showing their heads yet, even though the snow has been gone for some time now, I’m sure they will come when the time is right. Which reminds me of a story I heard last week, please bear with me.
A lady down the road went into our local fish and chip shop and amongst other things she got 2 pickled onions.
The onions turned out to be daffodil bulbs ! She’s in hospital but she’s OK and due out in the Spring!!!!
Sorry about that.
Anyway, I was sitting in the greenhouse and I had a Eureka moment. I decided to experiment and planted this. How deep should it go ?

I think I’ve got the temperature right.

Hopefully it will turn into this!

Happy gardening all !

More blog posts by littlelegs

Previous post: NICE AND COSY

Next post: THEY'RE COMING



Comments

 

You have made me and my OH laugh out loud this morning..thanks for that:o)..Lovely pics,and love the beer plant..Russ wants me to grow some too...DON'T put it in the propagator....it needs a cold spell..Lol.

9 Jan, 2011

 

You are welcome Bloomer, I bet he will use the lighthearted bits when he's out and about. Thanks.

9 Jan, 2011

 

Brilliant blog, laughed lots!!!
What a fantastic and tidy (maybe not for lobg!) green house.
Loved the joke and good luck with Julies eyebrows!!

9 Jan, 2011

cos
Cos
 

Brilliant! You must be a very well organized, disciplined and patient person to do all that. You definitely are all that Littlelegs. I used to do something similar many years ago, but I grew lazy and impatient and I prefer to spend money buying everything ready now.

9 Jan, 2011

 

ps, enjoy the beer, do you grow your own hops!!

9 Jan, 2011

 

Thanks Cos, I just love being in the greenhouse doing things, pottering I suppose.
Cheers Lulu, I wish I could grow hops but don't think Julie would appreciate the smell when "cooking" them. I sure thats the wrong term. My father used to brew his own beer and it stunk the house out

9 Jan, 2011

 

They are rather smelly, I forgot about that. How's about a large garden shed for hop brewing!

9 Jan, 2011

 

Enjoyed the joke, Littlelegs. That's a beautiful geranium there: any idea of the name?? Re the Salvia Icing Sugar - yes, cut back the thinner, straggly branches in the Spring, it will soon grow back strongly.

9 Jan, 2011

 

Thanks Sheila, Ive no idea what the name is. It was just a plug from last year, Jersey one.

9 Jan, 2011

 

Wow...you have a good start on us all I think...ha ha ...I hope they all grow as healthy as the beer looks...Lol

9 Jan, 2011

 

I hope so too, Milky

9 Jan, 2011

 

I never had any sucess in propagating them and just prefer to buy fresh every time :-). Nice blog Littlelegs, you've got some nice kit in there.

9 Jan, 2011

 

You ve done your self proud Littlelegs, well done and hope you have a lot of success with them growing.

9 Jan, 2011

 

My daughter was given some hops when we visited the Theakstons brewery at Masham..My OH used to work in that trade ,as their company made beer mats.She kept them in a drawer under her bed for a long time..not nice..got rid,when she left home..and before we put the house up for sale..think we got shut of the aroma,as no one held their nose,when viewing...Lol

9 Jan, 2011

 

Thankyou Mr B, hope to add to it , bit by bit.
Thanks 6d. can't wait to see the first showings.

9 Jan, 2011

 

You drink the same as me lol :o)
Interesting to read about what you've done. I wish you much success.

10 Jan, 2011

 

LOL Bloomer, They do kick up a bit of a stink.
Thankyou Hywel, Should we tell them it's cider and not beer though?. :o))

10 Jan, 2011

 

Shows how much I know about liquid amber,Littlelegs...not very observant either as hadn't read the label..just assumed...story of my life...Lol....

10 Jan, 2011

 

Maybe we'll keep it secret - (but they probably know anyway lol)

10 Jan, 2011

 

LOL Bloomer........... Now if I planted an apple pip.......!

10 Jan, 2011

 

if you planted an apple pip ~ a pip tree would grow

im wondering where your comfortable arm chair is in that very luxurious green house you have

i thoroughly enjoyed your blog ~ very worried about your OH growing bushy eyebrows tho!

and as for eating daffodils i know someone who did that too ~ in a sermon ~ and had to rush out quickly a few minutes later!!!!!

i wish you every success with your enterprising seeds + cans!

LITTLELEGS CAN-DO SEEDS STALL

11 Jan, 2011

 

Thanks Sticki, now that's a great name for a stall, hope you have'nt patened it.

12 Jan, 2011

 

no not yet ~ you can have it!!!

12 Jan, 2011

 

Cheers me Darling!

12 Jan, 2011

 

;o)

12 Jan, 2011

 

I'm catching up on GoY so a bit late to this ... love the joke but don't hold out too much hope of your 'tinnie' putting on much growth! Wish I had room for a greenhouse ... have to make do with a cold frame/plastic growhouse and the spare bedroom. Haven't told OH about the spare room becoming the propagating room yet. Shhh . . . . : o )

12 Jan, 2011

 

I have got what you have,Shirley,but minus the spare bedroom now...don't think Thomas would like to share with a propagator..

12 Jan, 2011

 

Currently , the spare bedroom has a lonely Amaryllis in bud and a very large dog bed! The dog and it's bed leave on Friday. My plan is to set up 2 pasting tables and use them as propagating benches! Not attractive but practical. Just don't tell you-know-who ... lol!

12 Jan, 2011

 

MICHAEL.... MICHAEL.............!!!
I think he's gone deaf.

12 Jan, 2011

 

Ha ha ha Littlelegs ... what he doesn't know can't harm him .. that's my theory anyway! : o )))

12 Jan, 2011

 

just so long as you dont need him to do any decorating on the pasting tables!!!

12 Jan, 2011

 

The day my OH hangs wallaper would be a newsworthy event! Barney Bodger is his nickname ... lol!

12 Jan, 2011

 

oh he has a twin then!!!

12 Jan, 2011

 

LOL, Sticki ... : o ))))))

12 Jan, 2011

Add a comment

Recent posts by littlelegs

Members who like this blog

  • Gardening with friends since
    28 Mar, 2010

  • Gardening with friends since
    4 Oct, 2008

  • Gardening with friends since
    28 Jul, 2008

  • Gardening with friends since
    27 Dec, 2009

  • Gardening with friends since
    10 Sep, 2010

  • Gardening with friends since
    27 Oct, 2009

  • Gardening with friends since
    5 May, 2010