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I need to get these seeds in the ground and cross my fingers, or I shall never get round to it! Can I put them in the soil as is, or shall I put something else down? Someone mentioned bonemeal, whats that for? I have a bag of compost here, will that do?

As for the actual planting, Im reading the packets for pointers lol. I just have this awful feeling Ive either forgotten something, or Im going to make a pigs ear of it

Talk me through!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

TIA

Hi

I'm not going to give advice because I am pretty much new to this too and there are far more experienced growers out there. I just wanted to say I hope it all goes well for ya. I sowed and kept everything crossed. I found this site invaluable for handy hints and tips (mostly retrospective - ie DAMN I should have....) and also Grow your Own magazine is brilliant. Luckily everything is now bursting into life and whats in the soil is doing well despite two frosts and two cats digging for Scotland.

I wish you an abundance of veg

Hi Millie

It will depend on which seeds you are planting?? One thing I can safely say... if you make a pigs ear out of it this time.... we all learn by our (and other people's) mistakes... so do share

G'Day Millie,

It is a learning curve for all of us at the start. I think the main points are -

1. Get a southerly or south easterly aspect to your veggie garden.
2. Dig it up (my apologies to the no-dig'ers) down to a spade depth, two if you can manage it.
3. Either dig the compost through (if you have lots) or mulch the seeds LIGHTLY once planted (if you don't).
4. Plant the seeds about 3-4 times their width deep.
5. Water in well, but lightly so you don't wash 'em away.

Then leave 'em until they start to push their heads above ground. Then water regularly.

Lot's of luck!

Nev

I would go along with Wombat's advice,Millie.
I'd also add that,ideally,you want a nice fine tilth,so after digging,rake and rake again!
Also,depending upon what seeds you are growing,you could sow in individual pots or cells,and plant out into open ground once the seeds have developed into little plantlets-this often gets them off to a good start (remember to harden them off if you've grown them indoors or under glass).
Best of luck,however you tackle the job!

water!!!!!!!!!!!!! Thats what I had forgotten! Our allotment has no water, and our waterbut and shed roof guttering isnt set up, so I may have to beg and borrow water from my comrades Failing that I shall pray for rain

Thanks for the help so far!!

Shirlz2005 wrote:It will depend on which seeds you are planting??

That's probably the single most important point - different approaches work well for different plants; for some, it's already to late to be planting for this season and, for others, you can still get cracking. Most seed packets come with some indication of when would be appropriate: what have you got?

Wulf

get a bit of string two sticks its a line put in groundso you have the line close to ground,make a drill with a rake upside fown push pull notion along the line about half an inch deep.i done all me seeds like tgis accept beans they go in about one and half to 2 ins deep. i done this and me seeds have come up lol.some times we can be to technical,weeds seeds blow in the air and self set runner beans can self set and potatoes can so its not rocket science for most veggies.read books forward plan , crop rotate etc.the herb and vegetable expert by dr hessayon will be a good book get it on ebay for a few quid.i am no expert but this is what i have done .regards gunners

Ya soil mate. It all starts and ends with the soil. Whether you are a digger or a no digger... You need to know what you are planting into and care about it. Have a real good look at it, feel it, and really get to know it. Give it a light water and dig to check water absorption. If it rolls in your hand and balls really easy, then you are working with some level of clay. If it crumbles and refuses to clump at all, she'll drain well but your running on empty in the plant food stakes and might need to spend some time working with it before it responds well. There are plants you can use for soil improvers if you have time to let them do their thing. What are you wanting to plant?

I have no idea about UK soils, so you might have to be a basic in your description. I remember one little courtyard garden over there, and it was about 100 years old, and had only ever been planted I reckon... Very sad soil.