New to Sowing Veggie Seeds....

**Alison** · 22-04-2014, 08:25 PM

Don't worry, you can start loads of things on window ledges. What seeds do you want to sow? I tend to sow singly for most things or a pinch for teeny stuff as I don't like wasting seeds although things like lettuce where you get loads will get sown a couple per cell. Others will do it differently though

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**IslandAnne** · 22-04-2014, 08:46 PM

I have been given some old seeds from 2011/2012 - so I'm guessing they may or may not germinate.

I have:

Peas
Carrot
Swede
Turnip
Spring Onion
Beetroot
Cabbage
Cauliflower
Oregano
Basil
Mint

They seem to be "everyday" seeds - no F1 or "special" types but there's loads of seeds

. It just made me giggle - I haven't got the room to grow all these - I've got 4 sq metres if I'm lucky haha

**Alison** · 22-04-2014, 09:06 PM

Freebies are always good

.

With regards the seeds you gave the peas will germinate no problem and don't really need starting off in compost, you can chit them in water if you want though to give them a head start. It's not something I do but there are a few threads about it somewhere. I start off in short sections of guttering and then plant the whole lot out but again, not essential.

Swede should also be OK, as will turnip. I sow these direct into the ground but you can module sow. Spring Onion are definitely better direct sown. Beetroot, as swede / turnip. Cabbage and caulis, all module sown (in a cold greenhouse for me) but the seeds last forever. The rest are herbs which I mainly grow I pots anyway as I like them right by the back door.

Just a thought, you might be as well getting a basic book as well as asking on here, bi find the River Cottage veg one very good but there are thousands to chose from.

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**Alison** · 22-04-2014, 09:08 PM

Oh and forgot the carrots, those seeds don't keep quite as well but still last longer than it says on the packet. Definitely best to sow direct as the root doesn't like disturbance.

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**AllInContainers** · 22-04-2014, 09:23 PM

Other than the herbs, I'd personally sow all those direct where you want them to grow. Others here may advise differently though. In fact it might be worth sowing a cell of everything as a trial to see if the seeds are still viable.

I noticed in an earlier post that you were considering pots/planters and vertical too. Don't be put off by growing in a small space. I'm growing a humongous amount of large plants in a small space this year (mainly fruits), and last year I did heaps of veggies. I'm a noobie as well, and last year was my first year trying to grow anything. This year I'm attempting 20 different types of fruit (many more if you count the different varieties), plus root veg, edible flowers, stems, leaf crops, fruiting veg, herbs and ornamentals all in this modest space ....

4 square metres is 36 square feet, which with square gardening will accomodate all the crops you have seeds for in small quantities. You can do them all in your raised beds, and then still be able to try other stuff in your planters

My motto when I started out was "this year feed the mind, next year feed the belly" and it served me well. Just go for it - simple as that. If it goes wrong, all you've lost is a three year old seed

There's a huge army of folks here who'll help you out if you stumble - just keep that mint in a pot, as it will take over your entire garden otherwise

**WendyC** · 22-04-2014, 09:26 PM

Originally posted by IslandAnne View Post

Any good beginner-tips for sewing seeds - I don't have a greenhouse just the kitchen windowsill

Use a very very fine needle and thread. Sorry couldn't resist. Must be the confusion with GB Sewing Bee and Allotment Challenge.

**IslandAnne** · 22-04-2014, 09:46 PM

Hahaha - this just goes to show how green I am....

Shhhhh - don't tell anyone but I used to be a teacher - must go and practise my spelling

**IslandAnne** · 22-04-2014, 09:50 PM

Originally posted by Alison View Post

I start off in short sections of guttering and then plant the whole lot out but again, not essential.

Just a thought, you might be as well getting a basic book as well as asking on here, bi find the River Cottage veg one very good but there are thousands to chose from.

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What is guttering Alison?

I just ordered two books over Easter:

The Vegetable and Herb Expert
Square Foot Gardening

Hopefully, they'll be with me before the end of the week

**Alison** · 23-04-2014, 06:35 AM

Originally posted by IslandAnne View Post

What is guttering Alison?

I just ordered two books over Easter:

The Vegetable and Herb Expert
Square Foot Gardening

Hopefully, they'll be with me before the end of the week

Guttering is the same stuff you use to transport rainwater to drainpipes on your house, I get on well with it as the peas slide out into my rows but if you're growing in pots then you'll be better just sowing directly in a pot, less bother / work

.

Don't know about the square foot one but I have an old copy of the expert one and find it quite a useful book, nothing fancy and a bit too much about chemicals for the way I garden but it has some very useful info on timing, support and general terminology. I'm pretty sure it's been updated since my copy (it came from my grandad's house so probably 30 or 40 years old) so am guessing it'll contain info on more modern crops and varieties too now which will be useful. Sounds like you're doing all the right things so get on and give it a to

.

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**Kristen** · 23-04-2014, 08:47 AM

Originally posted by Alison View Post

I'm pretty sure it's [Vegetable and Herb Expert] been updated since my copy (it came from my grandad's house so probably 30 or 40 years old) so am guessing it'll contain info on more modern crops and varieties too now which will be useful.

New revised version has just come out - with the catchy title of "The New Vegetable & Herb Expert"

Treat yourself? ... or maybe wait until your copy finally falls to bits - I don't suppose crop spacings have changed

http://www.amazon.co.uk/The-New-Vege...dp/0903505754/

**IslandAnne** · 23-04-2014, 11:30 AM

Originally posted by Kristen View Post

New revised version has just come out - with the catchy title of "The New Vegetable & Herb Expert"

Treat yourself? ... or maybe wait until your copy finally falls to bits - I don't suppose crop spacings have changed

http://www.amazon.co.uk/The-New-Vege...dp/0903505754/

The copy I've bought is second-hand from Amazon at the bargainous price of �0.01 plus �2.80 P&P

**IslandAnne** · 23-04-2014, 11:40 AM

Originally posted by Alison View Post

Guttering is the same stuff you use to transport rainwater to drainpipes on your house, I get on well with it as the peas slide out into my rows but if you're growing in pots then you'll be better just sowing directly in a pot, less bother / work

.

Don't know about the square foot one but I have an old copy of the expert one and find it quite a useful book, nothing fancy and a bit too much about chemicals for the way I garden but it has some very useful info on timing, support and general terminology. I'm pretty sure it's been updated since my copy (it came from my grandad's house so probably 30 or 40 years old) so am guessing it'll contain info on more modern crops and varieties too now which will be useful. Sounds like you're doing all the right things so get on and give it a to

.

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I understand about the guttering now - that's a good tip to store away for the future.

I'm thinking about getting my name on the waiting list for a local allotment. My son (who has Autism Spectrum Disorder) loves being outside in the open air, away from people. He has expressed an interest in gardening but won't go to any groups. I would love it if he had a place to go and a purpose to his days - best get my skates on then

I hope eventually to be an organic / eco-friendly gardener but am just using what is easily available to get started.

**Bigmallly** · 23-04-2014, 12:29 PM

Sounds like you have got your hands full Anne, I'll not add to what has already been suggested but may put my two penneth in when individual questions arise.

**Rocketron** · 23-04-2014, 05:38 PM

Originally posted by AllInContainers View Post

"this year feed the mind, next year feed the belly"

Outstanding advice!

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