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