Question about seeds

Bublin1

I've just sown my first set of seeds. Cucumber and Sweet Peppers. I know from the packet I'm a little late but my 5 year old dd insisted we buy these!

I sowed them in a tray that has 24 individual pots. I covered it with clingfilm and put in my mini plastic greenhouse with it all zipped up. The plastic is green not clear transparent.

Will they germinate ok in there or should I bring them inside on a windowsill or in the dark warm airing cupboard?

good_advice

Hello bublin. The plastic green house will be fine.
I think you will get lots of green and may be a cucumber towards the end of the summer. Late now for planting seeds.

Buy some ready made plants. A little bit more advanced.
Happy growing.

Bublin1

Hey good advice.....and thank you for answering.
If I don't get any veg before the end of summer, what do I do with the plants? Just keep them in the greenhouse over winter?

Ok, I will look for some plants. I really want dd to pick and eat some veg this year, though she will get strawberries and redcurrants!

Ectophile

There's a risk with the warm and sunny weather that we've (mostly) had recently that you may have cooked them by now.

I'd recommend un-zipping the greenhouse on warm sunny days to keep the temperature inside to something reasonable.

DaftyDuck

I'm not sure I approve of fibbing to kids, but wait until yours have germinated and are a wee bit up, go and purchase some from Garden Centre, and swap them whilst little one has mind on something else for a few days.

She'll enjoy benefits of her seeds germinating AND getting real produce.

Bublin1

Ectophile, I only sowed them today.

DaftyDuck, great idea but 5 year olds are smart these days!!

We are growing a sunflower from seed and she is watching and touching it every day. She will give me the side eye if I swapped a seedling for a full grown plant!!
I'll take her to the garden centre and explain we were too late with the seeds this year.

good_advice

Bublin1 wrote: »

Hey good advice.....and thank you for answering.
If I don't get any veg before the end of summer, what do I do with the plants? Just keep them in the greenhouse over winter?

Ok, I will look for some plants. I really want dd to pick and eat some veg this year, though she will get strawberries and redcurrants!

hi Bubin.
my Oh has bought x2 cucumber plants for the green house
Our tomato plants are by far the best this year so far in food plants.
I helped plant the seeds in januay. I felt a bit silly! First time planting that early.
We planted in marg/icecream tubs to save on buying any.
The plants are strong and healthy. First tomatoes are now on the plants. small and green so far.

Big fail with the courgettes. Grown from seed. they have colapsed and been eaten by slugs. Put slug pellots around too!.
I think we will buy some more. love the big yellow flowers.

Your question = strawberries and redcurrents you may be able to keep over winter if protected.
We have never had much success with strawberries.

Tomatoes, cucumber, marigolds, sunflowers etc will die at first frost.
About the end of September.

I like to bring my geraniums back into the conservatory in September.
We have 7 hanging baskets.

malebolge

If your DD wants to watch seeds grow - why not buy some cress seed? It only takes about 10-12 days to grow. You can grow them in any container, but a fun thing to do is to use an empty egg shell - fill it with a bit of soil or even cotton wool. If she draws a face on the shell the cress makes great green hair

Bublin1

good advice - thanks for the details. I see I need to start early in the year. I'll get it right next year. Not happy that most of what I have will die....but oh well.
Sorry about the courgettes. I did buy a tomato plant but I have no fruit yet.

malebole - aw that's a great idea. We will do that.

Can you recommend a website that has a 'when to sow seeds.....' calendar?

Yorkie1

The main allotment-garden website has a monthly guide. Bear in mind that the timings will need adjustment according to where you're based.

Bublin1

Thanks Yorkie - that website is great.