Ms Marple Posted February 21, 2011 Share Posted February 21, 2011 I note some of you saying you are planting sweet pea seeds on a different thread. When would you be intending to plant them out? We live in the North West- very close to the penines it seems to early for anything yet but as I am such a novice I thought I should ask. We do not have a greenhouse, but we are now the proud owners of an orangery with an ambient room temperature around 15-20 oC( ie heating elements in the glass of the roof lantern). Should I be planting seeds in there? There is obviously plenty of light. It is more the issue of when to plant out that worries me. I know that last year I planted runner beans far too soon and whilst they did alright in the end- they were like triffids when I finally planted them outside!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Daphne Posted February 21, 2011 Share Posted February 21, 2011 I am right down the other end of the country to you and I normally sow about now, in a cold conservatory (colder than your orangery so somebody else will have to advise on its suitability for this) on the window sill. I then plant out in early to mid April - with the weather as a guide. If its very cold or wet, I just wait. My plants are usually a bit leggy by the time they get outside to be hardened off and planted, but I always get a good show of flower. I soak the seed overnight (meant to soften the shell - don't know if it makes any difference really) and put 2 seeds in 3 inch pots in a tray under a plastic propagator lid with some ventilation as soon as I see something above the compost (bog standard multigrade as they are large seeds). Really you should plant in long root trainers (they have long roots) but I did it this way the first time I grew them and it works for me. I don't pull up the weaker seedlings, I just tip them out as undisturbed as possible and plant 2 per station around wigwams. I do pinch out the growing tips though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sjp Posted February 21, 2011 Share Posted February 21, 2011 I don't start any seeds before the 1st of March indoors or outside, it's far to damp and cold and I'm to tight to heat the greenhouse for more than a month Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
craftyhunnypie Posted March 10, 2011 Share Posted March 10, 2011 I've not started any seeds yet - I normally have by now. But being on holiday & it being cold has made it difficult. This weekend will be seed weekend. Emma.x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
