Sowing Seeds Indoors

[Lugh Ildánach 2,352]

There's not much that can be planted directly outside at the minute, but there are plenty of fruit, veg and herbs that can be planted in seed trays or small pots indoors, and put on a windowsill to germinate, and can then be transferred outside once the risk of frost has gone. The herbs will likely stay on my kitchen windowsill to be used when I need them.

 

You can also use a greenhouse or a cold frame for plants that don't exactly need room temperature but wouldn't survive a hard frost. A cold frame is just a couple of pieces of wood put together into a frame and a glass or perspex lid, that goes outside and acts as a mini seed greenhouse/nursery.

 

Over the past couple of mornings I've sown a couple of each of the following and have them dotted around the house on various windowsills

 

- Onions

- Leeks

- Cabbage

- Sprouting Broccoli

- Sprouts

- Scallions

- Kale

- Parsley

- Corriander

- Basil

- Chives

- Tomatoes

- Peppers

- Chillies

- Rocket

- Spinach

 

I've also planted some strawberry seeds (you usually grow these from offshoots of a main plant, but I got the seeds free with some other stuff so I may as well experiment!), kiwi (which is apparently really easy to grow!!!) and a couple of varieties of peas in a large pot in my plastic greenhouse.

 

I cut an empty toilet roll into two and put the peas in and filled it up with compost. This means that you can easily lift the plant out without disturbing the roots when they are ready to be transferred into the ground, as they are more delicate than some others.

 

I also plan to plant some cucumber and courgettes in pots when I get the seeds.

[Fodla32 3,692]

Thats a great idea a chara, I must get something going in my window. What would you say would be the easiest for a small space, with a view to replanting it in our community garden?

[Lugh Ildánach 2,352]

I suppose Leeks, Scallions, Cabbage or Broccoli would be easiest from a veg point of view.

 

I was thinking though that maybe we'd be able to build a cold frame at Charlemont Street to save having to cart seeds and plants back and forward. If you're going to sow some seeds yourself, let me know, I've loads of spare seeds so I can sort you out when I see you next.

 

And that goes to anyone else who's thinking of maybe growing a few things at home. I've loads of seeds so just let me know!

 

If you're buying seeds, check out Woodies, they have their own brand (i can't remember what the name of the brand is) which are about 1/3 of the price of regular brand seeds and about 1/2 the price of B&Q own brand. They also have cheap seed potatoes, onion sets and fruit trees and bushes.

[Lugh Ildánach 2,352]

My first shoots have started to appear. The first of the rocket and spinach poked their heads up on Sunday and they were joined by the lettuce and either the broccoli or cabbage (not sure which, as they're both in the same tray) this morning!

 

These sowings are only the first grouping. I'll sow another batch of most of these veg, and some more, every 3 or 4 weeks, to ensure a constant supply of veg right through the growing season. This is referred to as successional sowing. Of course once the risk of frost has passed by about April, sowings can be done directly outside (and some hardier plants can be sown direct outside in March). As mentioned above a cold frame is very useful to give yourself a headstart, especially if you don't have much windowsill space or if you're growing a lot of veg!!!

 

The peppers and tomatoes however are sown all in one go early in the season as once they ripen they will continue to produce crops until the season is over.