dying to get started for 2011 !

mardatha

When can I start off lettuce or salad greens on a south facing windowsill ? How much light per day do seeds need ? Also looking for a sweet bush type tomato to grow indoors as well...suggestions please ! TY

Rummer

I am the same I have been bouncing with excitement at the thought of getting started!

ALIBOBSY

Temperature in central heated houses is not an issue (apart from possibly drying out the seedlings too quickly) so planted at any time they will germinate, but its the light that can be an issue making seedlings leggy and weak.

I think onions seeds can go in early under cover (traditionally boxing day I read somewhere), but I usually do ours in March or so and they catch up, or go for sets. I have seen people do experiments on planting some seeds early to try to get a jump on the seasons. Once you are past christmas the daylight should be getting longer, but it can depend where in the country you are. I try to get some toms in on the window sills in feb/march, but seen some on forums wack in some early seeds in Jan.
Toms are good because if they go leggy when potted on you can plant the stems deep in the compost to help strengthen them.

Some people say this way they get some early crops others reckon later planting catch up so no point, but I am with the can't wait crowd and seeds are so cheap a few early plantings can't hurt.

Other option is to concentrate on plans and ordering seeds as well as collecting toilet roll inners/yoghurt pots etc for the seeds.

Ali x

ALIBOBSY

BTW salad leaves and herbs will probably do ok on window sills and worth a shot on a south facing window sill. I liked garden pearl as a small tom variety and its a bush type so no taking off the extra spurs/branches.

ali x

Now I'm tempted to get some of last years leftovers out and plant a few argggh.

mardatha

Ok ty for that I did mean to try the arctic or siberian tomatoes but I got on fine with ordinary ones so will stick to them. Bedroom is cool with a big south facing window so I like to use it. Got another bedroom with a big window but that faces north - anything I could try there ? We live in hills so get no sun at all at the back in winter and in summer only get it late on in the afternoon. What likes cool light airy conditions ?? - if anything !

LJM

i also cannot wait to get started for this year have been making plans and buying seeds

shellysue

I am growing loads of leaves right now on window sills and in any dark corner, you need light and a cheap low energy bulb will do fine, it needs to be as close to the seedlings as you can get it without touching the leaves, keep moving it up as they grow, Endive is really fast, Chichory and Romaine all do well as salad leaves, just pick the leaves you want to eat and they will keep growing.
The light needs to be on for at least 12 hours a day to get a good crop;) Day length and light level is not quite enough yet for good growing on window sills.

mardatha

thanks shelly thats helpful

RAS

mardatha

You could get lamb's lettuce going now and possibly land cress. Both of mine are growing fine outside now.

mardatha

Got snow overnight - am not putting my wee nose outside yet ! Hibernating !

LJM

mardatha wrote: »

Got snow overnight - am not putting my wee nose outside yet ! Hibernating !

thats what worries me at the moment