When to start seeds in the greenhouse?
A good rule of thumb for starting seeds is to begin the germination process 6-8 weeks before your zone’s average last frost date. It is also important to consider the particular plant varieties being grown. A good rule of thumb is to sow annual flower seeds as early after the last spring frost as possible. For early-spring perennial blooms, plant these types of flower seeds in late summer to early fall so that they can germinate over winter.For example, many ornamental flowers can be started earlier, around 8-10 weeks before the average last frost date. Cold sensitive plants, which require warmer temperatures to grow properly, such as tomatoes, basil, and peppers, should be started a little later, around 6-8 weeks before the average last frost date.As a general rule, seeds are started indoors about 6 weeks prior to your last frost date.In the very early Spring (end of January to March) you can sow hardy annual seeds. These are seeds that will produce plants that are tolerant of frost – they’ll put on strong deep roots all winter long and produce flowers from June until the first frosts (where I live in Surrey that happens in early November).
When to sow flower seeds in a greenhouse?
As greenhouses are controlled environments, seeds can be started inside them at any time of year. If you are planning on starting plants which can aim to move to your garden in the spring, start the seeds in your greenhouse around six to eight weeks before the final expected frost date for your area. However, even a few degrees of warmth and the all-round light in a greenhouse do allow you to sow seeds earlier than you would in open ground. And you can control the amount of water in a pot or tray of compost to avoid seeds rotting off in waterlogged vegetable plot.A Greenhouse provides a controlled environment By starting seedlings early in a greenhouse, gardeners can give their plants a head start on the growing season, allowing them to be transplanted into the garden sooner and potentially yield a larger harvest.
Should I soak flower seeds before planting?
Soaking seeds will remove any germination inhibitors to help trigger the seeds into growing at the right moment. The boosted moisture concentration around the seeds also signals that it’s ready to grow. Only larger seeds with tough exterior coatings should be soaked. Tiny seeds with thin outer shells do not require soaking. Soaking tiny seeds can cause them to clump together, making them almost impossible to sow.