seed or plant?

**Eco-Chic** · 06-03-2009, 10:04 PM

Hi Elliesmummy,

which do you think is the best, growing from seed or buying plants?

Seed for Veg, herbs and annuals and some perennials. Plants for shrubs, bulbs and plants that take years to mature from seed.

what do you think is the best method to get them going? i have planted some in those peat pockets - those you soak in water and they swell up - the seeds start to grow and then just whither and die. am i doing something wrong?

You haven't provided enough information. We'd need to know which seeds, when you sowed them and where you kept the jiffy pellets while they were germinating. It's very early still for seed sowing. Most people won't start until later this month or next month even. Did the pellets dry out? Or perhaps the seedlings were too cold?

i've read a post about putting the seeds on kitchen paper or soaking them in water, does this apply to all seeds or just some and is this the best method to get them going?

This method is usually used for seeds which are difficult to germinate, parsnips for instance.

Questions are always welcome. Try reading this forum regularly as it is very informative and friendly. You might want to buy a couple of magazines too and, if you have digital tv, check out any of the growing programmes as the visual demonstrations are very helpful.

**Eyren** · 06-03-2009, 10:23 PM

Originally posted by Elliesmummy View Post

which do you think is the best, growing from seed or buying plants?

i have got seeds this year cheaper option with just starting out costs.

It depends on the type of plant. Some things are pretty easy to grow from seed, others...not so much. When I was starting off, I mostly bought plants in, but as I've grown more experienced, I've been able to start more off from seed.

That said, last year I tried to grow leeks and kale and sprouting broccoli from seed, but ended up buying plants off ebay (and very good they've been too!). This year I'm trying the seeds again - it's a learning process!

As a rule of thumb, and particularly for beginners, I would say that if it's something that you would need a lot of plants of, like carrots or salad leaves, then seeds are the way to go. If you only need one or two plants, e.g. tomatoes or chillies, getting them as young plants can work out cheaper and more reliable.

Originally posted by Elliesmummy View Post

what do you think is the best method to get them going? i have planted some in those peat pockets - those you soak in water and they swell up - the seeds start to grow and then just whither and die. am i doing something wrong?

No idea - I've only ever used module trays and ordinary compost. As Eco-Chic says, it depends if you sowed them at the right time and watered them the right amount - seeds need moisture but mostly don't like things too wet.

**Elliesmummy** · 07-03-2009, 07:33 AM

Thank you Eco-Chic and Eyren for your help

Eco-Chic,
i planted as directed on the packet regarding time, the seeds are in unheated propagators in my front room, there is no heating on in there though but it's not cold.

so far i've tried,
strawberries
carrots
cucumber
onions
parsnips

i thought it might have been the compost pellets. they are the ones that came with the propagators.
would it be better to invest in normal compost and moduler trays?

i am begining to wonder if i'd have better luck sowing into the ground instead and hope that something grows

**Flummery** · 07-03-2009, 09:36 AM

You'll almost always do better growing in modules first. Sowing direct wastes a huge amount of seed in my opinion. I always sow in modules then I know that every one I plant is viable - no gappy rows. Early crops go on the windowsill in the dining room with a poly bag over till the just start showing. Later ones go in the cold greenhouse in modules - I've got chard and broad beans coming through in there now and tall peas in root-trainers.

The only things I direct sow these days are broad beans - so a follow-on row or two will go directly into the ground in a week or two.

Buying veg plants is very expensive for what you get. You are also limited in varieties, whereas with seed you can go for the wierd and wonderful - and many posts on here will show you that lots of us like to do that!

Good luck - and don't be downhearted by failures. We all have them, even the most experienced gardeners. The difference is - the experienced ones don't talk about them!

**Eco-Chic** · 07-03-2009, 06:22 PM

Originally posted by Elliesmummy View Post

Thank you Eco-Chic and Eyren for your help

Eco-Chic,
i planted as directed on the packet regarding time, the seeds are in unheated propagators in my front room, there is no heating on in there though but it's not cold.

so far i've tried,
strawberries
carrots
cucumber
onions
parsnips

i thought it might have been the compost pellets. they are the ones that came with the propagators.
would it be better to invest in normal compost and moduler trays?

i am begining to wonder if i'd have better luck sowing into the ground instead and hope that something grows

I think you've probably started a little too early and been a bit unlucky too. The seed packets are really only a guide and geography and temperature need to be taken into account too. I haven't sown anything at all yet as I shall be away until end of March. Everything will catch up then.

I think modules might suit you better. I found jiffy pellets better for cuttings or large seeds for some reason.

BTW unless you were sowing wild or alpine strawberries I think you might be better off buying strawberry plants if you want to crop fruit this summer. Subcribe to T&M, Van Meuwen, Dobies & Suttons for newsletters and you'll get subscriber offers. eBay are a good source for plants too.

**Elliesmummy** · 07-03-2009, 08:13 PM

thanks for your help,
i appreciate it alot.

**MrsC** · 07-03-2009, 09:34 PM

elliesmummy, what are you looking to grow from seed?

**Elliesmummy** · 07-03-2009, 09:46 PM

Hi Mrs C,

the seeds i have are:
lettuce
parsnips
leeks
carrots
onions - white/red & spring
strawberries
radish
tomatoes
swede
cucumber
sweetcorn
peppers
herbs - various

i have seed potatoes and 1 lot of onion sets. have been looking at strawberry plugs too.

seems like i have a lot there...

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