Direct Sowing

**binley100** · 18-04-2010, 09:36 PM

Over the last few weeks we've direct sown parsnips, carrots , ruby chard , beetroot , radishes , spring onions and mange tout. Nothings popped up yet tho'

**CaroltheCarrot** · 18-04-2010, 09:36 PM

hi currysniffa,fellow newbie here,i havent sown anything yet cos am in deepest darkest scotland,i generally wait for a month after what it says on the seed packet and am usually ok.
we have a brilliant programme up here,the beechgrove garden,dont know if you get it? and i tend to follow them as they further north than i am

**solway cropper** · 18-04-2010, 09:43 PM

Try a few fast growing crops like radish and lettuce. That way you'll see some immediate return for efforts....and bung a few spuds in if you can still find any in the shops. Parsnips can take ages and are a bit unpredictable. there's nothing worse than starting out full of expectation and getting nothing back.

**Hazel at the Hill** · 18-04-2010, 09:45 PM

Virtually anything - the ground is only just warming up in mid April, so we're just coming into the main sow-direct season.

I'd do:

Potatoes.
Dwarf or climbing beans (or in a week or so - they don't want to catch a chill).
Peas
Root veg (carrot, parsnip, beetroot)
Salad stuff.

Anything else that takes your fancy - although you might want to buy tomato plants from the garden centre if you want them on the plot. (I'd not bother - the risk on allotments of blight seems to be really high - I grow a few in buckets at home instead)

**Currysniffa** · 18-04-2010, 10:20 PM

Wow thanks for the quick response and for the ideas, I'd like to grow Dwarf or and French beans, carrot, parsnip, beetroot, radish, rocket, spring onions, I have some onions sets in that the Chairman gave me over the weekend and he's going to let me have some sweetcorn when its ready, looks like I'm going seed hunting tomorrow

I saw some nice salad potatoes in town yesterday, if I was to go and buy them how long would it take to chit them ready to plant?

Carol I've not come across the beechgrove garden, is it on the TV or radio, I'm only really aware of gardeners world on the BBC.

I wish there was more growing veg shows on the TV or radio..

**maypril** · 18-04-2010, 10:20 PM

Originally posted by Currysniffa View Post

Hi, I only got my allotment this weekend and it was a bit unexpected so I haven't got anything started off, what would you recommend I could sow direct into my beds..

Thanks in advance

Spuds, spuds, and a few more spuds. They're perfect for a new allotment; they grow fast and their leafy canopy prevents weeds from getting a foothold. And when you come to dig them up, it breaks up the soil nicely.

Apart from that, I avoid sowing most things direct because too much can go wrong (slugs, birds, mice). It's best to get things started in modules until the plants are big enough to survive an attack. Having said that, a lot of root veg has to be sown direct for best results, so now would be a good time to sow carrots, parsnips, salsify and scorzonera

**organic** · 18-04-2010, 10:28 PM

We had a cold spring so most people seem to have delayed their plantings a wee bit anyway.
Plus I was injured last year so most of my jobs from last autumn are being done now.

Long story short, I'm in Manchester so the weather here won't be too different to yours and I'm only just getting started with most things. I'm still sowing pretty much everything bit by bit as I get the space.

That said - it's only my first season so I could be REALLY late and not know it yet.

Someone asked a similar question about a week or so ago and the advice was a pretty universal "you're not too late at all, just get sowing things and you'll be right".

MANY congratulations on your plot - I'll bet you're about as excited as I was when I got mine (I don't exaggerate a jot when I say I was jumping for joy. No figure of speech, feet left the floor... repeatedly!)

Have a fantastic season! (Just don't over-water your seeds like I did!)

**maypril** · 18-04-2010, 10:51 PM

Originally posted by binley100 View Post

Over the last few weeks we've direct sown parsnips, carrots , ruby chard , beetroot , radishes , spring onions and mange tout. Nothings popped up yet tho'

Have slugs or snails been devouring your seedlings as soon as they emerge?

**maypril** · 18-04-2010, 10:55 PM

Originally posted by organic View Post

Someone asked a similar question about a week or so ago and the advice was a pretty universal "you're not too late at all, just get sowing things and you'll be right".

Yup, agreed!

Some people get hung up on dates.... by the second week of February I must sow this,... by the 3rd week of March, I must sow that, etc etc! NONSENSE!

You have to learn to plant with the seasons. Spring comes at a different time each year. You just have to gauge when the weather's right and start sowing then.

The worst that can happen if you sow late is you might get smaller veg / lower yield. However, if you sow too early, the plants might die and then you'll be sowing another batch even later than if you'd sown late in the first place.

**CaroltheCarrot** · 19-04-2010, 07:00 AM

beechgrove garden on bbc2 but you may not get it cos is scottish programme,its great much better than gardeners world and hippy dippy edible garden

**Currysniffa** · 19-04-2010, 07:29 AM

Originally posted by CaroltheCarrot View Post

beechgrove garden on bbc2 but you may not get it cos is scottish programme,its great much better than gardeners world and hippy dippy edible garden

Yeah forgot about edible garden I sky+ that program so I don't miss it, gardeners world isn't what it used to be is it.. shame really

**elsie-scot** · 19-04-2010, 07:36 AM

As well as direct sowing, it is a good idea to sow some things into pots, wait until they are a decent size and then transplant to plot. Gives them a chance against the elemnts and beasties.

**Bren In Pots** · 19-04-2010, 08:26 AM

Originally posted by CaroltheCarrot View Post

beechgrove garden on bbc2 but you may not get it cos is scottish programme,its great much better than gardeners world and hippy dippy edible garden

I watch Beechgrove on iPlayer here's the link, its now my favourite garden program.

BBC iPlayer - Search results for beechgrove

**CaroltheCarrot** · 19-04-2010, 08:32 AM

Hi bren,yes its great,have also been watching james martin digs deep,mind you i would watch james martin doing anything !!!!
Carol kleins grow your own veg is good as well,think this is repeat though but is still good

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