Seeds – Starting Seeds

SEED CULTIVARS

  • F1 Hybrid: product of two distinct parents.  F1 plants cannot be grown again from saved seed.
  • Heirloom (or Heritage): open-pollinated types that are still available today.
  • Open-pollinated: polinated by natural means (wind, insects, birds).  Seed saved from plants can be used to start new crops.

Microgreens: Microgreens are sprouted seeds.  Tiny but packed with flavour they can be added to salads at any time of the year.  Suitable seeds for microgreen crops include: coriander, fenugreek, purple basil, radish, mustard, cress, lettuces, rocket and kale

  • Grow in a seed tray – even directly onto kitchen roll cut to fit the base of the tray.
  • Trim with scissors once seed leaves and first true leaves appear
  • Succession seed every 2 weeks for a continuous supply

 

Starting seeds in trays or pots in an unheated but frost-free greenhouse is ideal.  Most seed will only germinate when soil temperatures are at, or above, 7 Celcius.

Plants to seed indoors before potting up and planting out:

  • Aubergine
  • Broccoli
  • Brussels Sprouts
  • Cabbage
  • Cauliflower
  • Lettuce
  • Melons (eg watermelon)
  • Peppers
  • Pumpkins
  • Swiss Chard
  • Tomatoes

As a general rule, some plants prefer to be direct sown into the ground where they will grow. These include:

  • Beans *
  • Beets
  • Carrots
  • Corn *
  • Garlic
  • Onions
  • Peas
  • Parsnips
  • Potatoes
  • Radish
  • Spinach
  • Squash / Zucchini *
  • Sweet potato f

* Plants indicated with an asterix can also be started by seed indoors.

 

SEED GUIDE – INDOOR / DIRECT SOW BY PLANT

  • beetroot > in greenhouse: March, April > direct sow: April, May, June, July

  • broad beans > Feb, March, April; Oct, Nov to overwinter > Direct sow: March, April; Oct, Nov to overwinter

  • brussels sprouts > in greenhouse: Feb, March > Direct sow: April

  • cabbage > in greenhouse: April, May, June, July > Direct sow: April, May, June July

  • broccoli > in greenhouse: Feb, March, April, May, June > Direct sow: Apr, May, Jun

  • carrots (do not start indoors) > direct sow: Mar, Apr, May, June, July

  • chard > in greenhouse: Mar, Apr, May, Jun, Jul > direct sow: Apr, May, June, July

  • fennel (do not start indoors) > direct sow: Jun, July

  • kale > in greenhouse: Feb, Mar > direct sow: Apr, May, June

  • leeks > in greenhouse: Feb, Mar > direct sow: March (with protection), April

  • lettuce > in greenhouse: Jan, Feb, Mar > direct sow: Mar, Apr, May, Jun, July, Aug, Sept

  • onions > in greenhouse: Jan, Feb, Mar > direct sow: April ,May

  • parsnip (do not start indoors) > direct sow: Mar, Apr, May

  • peas > in greenhouse: Jan, Feb > direct sow: Mar, Apr, May, June

  • radish > in greenhouse: Jan, Feb, Mar > direct sow: Apr, May, June, July, Aug

  • spinach > in greenhouse: Mar, April > direct sow: Apr, June, July; September to overwinter

  • swede > in greenhouse: Apr, May > direct sow: June

  • turnip > in greenhouse: Mar, April > direct sow: April, May, June