Should you sow seeds early?

Come January and February the internet and especially social media is full of happy gardeners showing off the seeds they are sowing, tomatoes, peppers, chillies, aubergine, and much, much more. For some gardeners, this causes unwanted stress as they battle to try to "keep up".
I know my videos have made some newer gardeners anxious so I thought it was time to address this and talk about why some people might be sowing in January and more importantly let's talk about all those little things that you might want to know BEFORE you decide to sow your seeds now based on my experiences.
▶LINKS TO THAT THING! ◀
My greenhouse and garden gadgets: eliandkate.com/...
▶VIDEOS FOR THOSE WHO CHOOSE TO SOW EARLY◀
• Sown in January
▶VIDEOS FOR THOSE WHO CHOOSE TO WAIT A WHILE◀
• Waiting to sow
▶ CHANNEL BRANDED SWAG ◀
Get your Eli & Kate t-shirts: / @eliandkate
▶ELI AND KATE ON THE WEB◀
As well as on youtube, you can find us here
Patreon: / eliandkate
Our website: www.eliandkate.com
#gardening #vegetablegarden #GrowYourOwn #gardeningtips
#sowingseeds

[@KirstenMcFarlane]

Thank you, as an allotment owner of 3 yrs, I really love your posts, the scottish accent (I’m scottish but have lived in portsmouth since 2004) and positive energy makes me laugh , and love growing more. Happy 2024 to you x

[@eliandkate]

Awwwww that’s lovely to hear 😁😁😁

[@barbararuthsmith2882]

I live in Sweden where we have very cold winters with frozen ground even in the greenhouses. I always start seeds too early but this year I have created a schedule for which seeds take the longest to grow to a size to set our and which seeds take just 6-weeks, also those that will be tall like tomatoes or rather small in comparison and I can keep them inside the grow room a bit longer. Our last frost date is sometime in late May but the weather has been very weird the last few years getting warmer and then a snow fall coming in late May. I have a large grow room in the cellar which allows me to start almost whatever I want. I also over winter some of my flowers and my fig tree there. Thanks for a great video, it helps me to stay with my list instead of starting a bunch of things to early but still enjoying watching the growing of beautiful food. P.S. I started kale, salad, basil and spinach for winter eating, and they do great!

[@eliandkate]

I think we’re all seeing some weird weather this year that’s messing up our routines We had 12c a few days ago and -2c today?!?!?

[@Luna-rr2us]

oh so lovely to hear all that...i used to live in Scotland( mainly in Lanarkshire) and in Sweden for a decade( Västernorrland and Västerbotten) - so i hear you both 🤭😋 I now live in Northern eastern Germany and try to find my way through here,fighting a lot more pests than before.But it is such fun and i send out the bedt wishes for this seasin to you all ❤☀️it appears like february is the new december..

[@eliandkate]

I like that February is the new December so does that mean June is the new April 😍

[@Luna-rr2us]

@@eliandkate hihi,well ...i find that june is quite consistent BUT august appears to be warmer as well... ☀️❤

[@KirstenMcFarlane]

@@eliandkatelol. Yes it’s odd, I came to this video thinking about planting dec/jan a month earlier than normal than your Jan recommendations for Jan/feb. uk as on south coast. … looking into how it doesn’t work / does work given light and warmth over months to summer. I guess trying to work out succession planting on the south coast. Mind you some of my plot is water logged 6 months as at sea level. I mean, right on the sea. It’s all a gamble lol. Tomatoes, they are fab in ground in greenhouse here, and still harvesting in October. I think they would keep going longer if the ground doesn’t become water logged Oct/nov. Need to try raising ground level in green house next year…. And also actually start tomatoes tomorrow :-) so they do just die off naturally in sept/oct :-)

[@sarabelden7092]

I always wanted a greenhouse, then I had one and the stress of remembering to go out to it every day or multiple times a day to check on things nearly immobilized me by springtime. Having ADHD and keeping up with the greenhouse schedule was too much for me. I found the winter sew method and it really works for me. It doesn't work for everyone. But I've always believed that gardening only works really well when it works for you. So plant when you need or want to, starting seeds is a fairly cheep therapy. Plant when and how it works for you, and don't judge others for what works for them. I still find myself wanting a greenhouse, maybe someday I'll have another I'll use as a putting shed. Love your channel, this video especially!

[@eliandkate]

Very true It’s a channel motto you’ll hear me say often You do you

[@sarabelden7092]

@@eliandkate probably why I love your channel. 😊

[@squadiodatamj5998]

Thank you, Eli (and Kate) for "talkin' me down"........first days where longer daylight is noticable, eaves are melting and I wouldn't have to shovel my way to the wee greenhouse in the yard. But.....there's always a but and I'm glad I was reminded of them here, from you. I'll just keep dreaming and scheming on this year's growing and keep looking in on your channel.

[@eliandkate]

Glad we’ve helped a little 😀 yesterdays video was full on dreaming Talking tomatoes 🍅

[@Steph-qs4yq]

Last year I did multiple sowings, January, February and March. I plan to do the same this year. The smaller batches mean I'm not over stressed with a huge amount of pots everywhere. And it means when I've moved up a pot, I've got one spare for the next sowing!

[@robinscontainergarden]

Adore this opening! 😂 I'm definitely not starting too early. I nearly told my husband to hide my seeds from me 😂 I *am* going to test a few of my saved seeds to see if they'll germinate before I get my hopes up when it comes time to genuinely sow them. Fab video, Eli and it's always nice to see Kate 💗

[@eliandkate]

ha ha ha and would he have stayed strong when you asked for them?

[@robinscontainergarden]

@@eliandkate Not a chance! 😂 His goal is to have an easy life and that would not have made his life easy! 😅

[@shandysgarden]

You have another excellent video here, my friend! You never disappoint. Everything you're saying is absolutely on point with what I'm doing. I just put together a whole new growing station in my kitchen, right in front of my big double glass doors. But, This is a first for me. I already have a big light setup in the garage, but it stays so cold out there that my seedling grow extremely slow. It's definitely going to give me a warm area, even if it's much smaller, to get those few things going on that are normally very puny! *I'm even thinking of a mylar curtain on the 3 sides of the shelf facing inward. Anything I can do to get my extra time! Last year I had a decent seedling sale. It was my very first year setting up tables. My plans were nice and healthy but they were just so much smaller than the big box store plants. My hope is that mine will be as big as theirs this year AND so much nicer quality! I'll be able to bring a better penny. Lol My yard is small, but I'll grow whatever doesn't sell! Anyways, I honestly wanted to just tell you that I'm a huge fan of your format & quite impressed with your shooting/editing specifically! 💕great job🙂

[@eliandkate]

Awwwww thank you Shandy This new being stuck in the greenhouse thing seems to be popular lol Not sure what’s changes that folk are commenting on liking the style?

[@pat_in_va8605]

Well done! I only start peppers and tomatoes inside about a month or so before I want to transplant them. This time of year, I do get really desperate to have my hands in the dirt, as it were ( I blame it on all the wonderful seed companies sending me emails and catalogs that I adore), so what I have started doing is growing some varied salad greens and herbs in pots inside. I get the joy of seeing the seedlings come up and harvest right there from my lighted planting shelves. It takes care of my urge to grow things from seeds, and I get yummy salads and garnishes.

[@eliandkate]

That is a brilliant way to do things. Have all the hardy greens growing is what keeps my garden bug under control, although I’m starting to use the last of them now

[@Arzon527]

I am doing the same right now. Greens and herbs for the windowsills, just enough to keep me busy and happy till spring.

[@Blossomandbranch]

Definitely depends on the seeds! Our last frost here is mid May and we already have 5,000 seeds going. Early things like foxglove, sweet pea, snaps, and more that can be planted out 8 weeks before our last frost. Also long growers like perennials and lisianthus. :)

[@eliandkate]

Now long before ours 😀 Not long now… it goes by really fast

[@adriankap2978]

Have you heard of winter sowing in water jugs? For the first time as a less than novice gardener I’m going to try water jug winter sowing by cutting 3/4 around the jug and 4in up from the bottom, fill with soil 1/2” below cut edge, plant seed spray with water and tape cut seams, remove the cap and set outside in Jan/Feb time.. So the experts say, it’s a mini greenhouse with a few seeds in each jug and let Mother Nature take over with rain in a sunny location. It’s unsightly to look at but it seems to work for most everyone who does it. What I like is you don’t have to harden off and it’s cheap bc you don’t have to buy the grow lights etc. Our last frost date is mid May but with climate change it’s more like late April. For any abnormal frost or freeze nights I’ll just cover with a blanket. I figure it’s worth a try so nothing ventured, nothing gained.

[@eliandkate]

I have, I did a video on it a few years ago… not really necessary for me but I know a lot of the US and Canada folk who are still under snow late into spring are fans

[@chicosgarden]

I needed to look back on this video to stop me from sowing too early! Thanks for the reminder, looking forward to doing the grow alongs with you on Patreon! woohoo!

[@eliandkate]

I’m looking forward to it too 👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏

[@retrobob3802]

Thanks for the thought out reasoning. I too am gagging to get going for the reason you outlined. However after listening to my conscience and you really nicely setting out the reasons I'll hold off, particularly as a beginner.

[@eliandkate]

it's not long Bob... you can do it!!!

[@tamieschimpf9214]

OMG. I just recently found your channel and I love it. Eli, I feel like we could be best friends. I have only watched the first 2 minutes of this video and I am rolling on the floor. I love Kate. In the videos I have seen, she doesn’t say much but what she says is hilarious. She seems like she keeps you on your toes. Thanks so much to both of you for the good information and fun content

[@eliandkate]

Awww glad you enjoyed it Tamie 😍

[@wildchook745]

One of my favourite videos, thanks, Eli.

[@eliandkate]

😍 yay

[@eliandkate]

oh you're in trouble Mary... Kate saw your suggestion that I use the lawn (Gardener Scott's live strea)

[@wildchook745]

@@eliandkate Hahaha, I love you and Kate, it got me giggling when I wrote that LOL That was great co-hosting with Garden Scott. You two had some good suggestions, tips and challenges shared. Most of us Aussies are different as we grow all year round. Sometimes we're just lazy if we don't grow anything. I love hearing how you deal with your conditions over there or how you do things because that's how we learn stuff. I'm forever thankful for the shared information and tips. I look forward to the vegetable experiment between you and Garden Scott this year. Cheers! :)

[@hipdoesstuff3701]

This was so interesting. I am so impatient, 😄 and after having full time baby sitting and no room anywhere😄 due to last year's leggy seedlings in Feb , I think I'll also try and wait until Feb/ March for my Toms/ Peppers. Good call👏and thanks again 👌

[@eliandkate]

So glad you saw this before you jumped in… always good to do things the best way for you

[@tammyohlsson7966]

I have the garden bug. Already started peppers and a few tomatoes, flowers and herbs. I have a long growing season. But will loose all production of anything that’s not heat tolerant. Just too hot in the summer. Green house is full. Blessings on a wonderful garden!

[@eliandkate]

A full greenhouse is a great feeling isn’t it? 😍

[@rivercrockett343]

Yes. Unfortunately, if I waited, our tomatoes wouldn't set fruit. Our summers are just too hot. Great video, though!

[@eliandkate]

That’s a whole different problem from me. I can’t even imagine that

[@lesijo52]

😂😂😂Hahaha Eli! I hooted at the opening of this video! And when I recounted it to my husband, he hooted too! As for the frost dates, I always chuckle, because here in the foothills of Alberta Canada, the last frost is listed as June 30, and the first frost is listed as July 1 !!!😂

[@eliandkate]

😂😂😂😂😂 seriously??? I mean how????

[@lesijo52]

@@eliandkate it’s an estimated frost date, so we have to be prepared for frost or snow ❄️ in any month of the year. 🤷🏻‍♀️ It’s 0C here at the moment, and yesterday was +6C. Crazy weather here.

[@eliandkate]

I woke up to a dusting of snow this morning Was starting to wonder if winter would forget us this year… maybe it’s starting now?

[@mariedeyo7399]

Hiya, this year I am starting peppers and chili in Feb. I just put in an order for some new seeds today 😁 Even it was so hot last year in germany, my plants were real late. It was cold till april and I startet seeds real late. Because I only have room in the diningroom to do seeds, I also have to limit what and when I start seeds. Great video ❣

[@eliandkate]

At least you are being sensible and thinking ahead 😀

[@myrustygarden]

Only sweet peas so far and oh yeah onion seeds 👍👍. Have a fantastic week ladies 🥰🇨🇦

[@eliandkate]

That’s fair enough 😂

[@debbiespitznagel1472]

Last year, I bought a shelving unit from a box store and set it up to start seeds on. I bought lights, etc. I was really happy with the set up and so excited to have something that I could get a jump start to get fruit and veggies earlier. I started early and I started too many seeds. I got overwhelmed pretty fast when I had to start potting them up to bigger pots. I ran out of room and some plants grew so fast and got tall, like the tomatoes, while others stayed shorter. That meant constantly moving them around and moving the lighting up on one end, down on the other. Then, we were still having cold weather, so I couldn't start hardening them off to get them ready to plant outside. (I live in the northeastern part of the US, along the coast) So, I've really learned some important lessons for this year!!! Don't start too early and don't overdo the amount I'm starting from seeds.

[@eliandkate]

Lessons we’ve all learned the hard way 😍

[@charlotteinnocent8752]

I also discovered that asking neighbours about final frost dates is a really good idea. We had a good year last year, but neighbours have told me that because our village is up in the hills, on a higher elevation, that the locally calibrated frost date is not quite correct for us. We really should wait a little longer. Probably like you there on the coast, there are mitigating factors.

[@eliandkate]

absolutely

[@kimberleywormerama1501]

January is a great time to start a worm bin if anybody is desperate to get their hands in the soil! By spring you'll have some lovely worm castings to supercharge your young plants. I like to start some things off early just to make March feel a bit less intense because that's when most of my seeds are sown! I've got onion seeds indoors in my office where it's nice and warm, and some lettuce too. Thanks for a great video, glad to have discovered your channel

[@eliandkate]

awww glad to have you with us Kimberley

[@brianeasson889]

Great video as usual guys, looking forward to sowing in ............March too 😃

[@eliandkate]

Bring it on

[@sheliaheverin8822]

You two are a hoot!!! Love your channel.

[@eliandkate]

😂😂😂😂 glad to hear it

[@thisismyname3328]

My family has always planted 5 tomato seeds on boxing day for as long as I can remember. My great grandpa used to say if they sprouted and then died it'd be a good growing year, if they really took off, then it'd be a poor harvest/rainy autumn (although we live in Yorkshire, its always rainy that time of year). So, I don't usually start anything until early Feb, aside from my 5 little tomatoes on boxing day. Might be something to consider for this year, though.

[@eliandkate]

A nice little family tradition and some interesting experiments regarding weather. 😍

[@SuzMcDonaldWellbeing]

Thank you this is super helpful. I’m hoping to order my greenhouse by the end of this month which should tie in nicely with it arriving and being built by mid March. I’ll definitely be following along and sowing tomatoes this year 😊

[@eliandkate]

Oh that’ll be fab! While you are waiting on it, have a watch of my greenhouse organising video and get planning 😍😍😍

[@gretroman8235]

I love your information and advice. We decide if and how early to sow seeds. Some videos appeal to people with more competitive nature and risk. I am middle of the road. I was pleasantly surprised last year when my "late" indoor plum tomato plants exceeded my nursery bought plants. And all germinated. By the time my area is safe for tomato plants, there are none of the varities we want. Loved the tomato plant " hokey pokey" term. I put far fewer plants in basement garage overnight last year when I grew my own middle term seeds. Am a recent fan viewer. No guilt, shame, or pressure to start in January. Although I am itching for greenery this time if year. Am overwintering my 2 pots of parsley in a warm, sunny bedroom. They are happy and healthy. Just keep pruning for kitchen use.

[@eliandkate]

No guilt! We don’t allow that heat! 😂😂😂 Bring on the growing fun… when it warms up anyway 😍

[@aloras405]

I am so incredibly excited for our garden this year. I moved into my grandmother’s house this year and the renter we had in it basically let the entire yard go. We spent all last year just getting things cleaned up. I finally have a garden area planned and we get to build it up. I want to start seeds so badly but it’s always a good idea to wait until Mother’s Day here in Denver, Colorado. And still, we prepare to protect for a frost.

[@eliandkate]

Frost is a battle we all understand

[@eliandkate]

thanks for joining us on the live :D

[@elaines5179]

I'm in Colorado Springs just about 75 miles south of Denver and Mothers Day has NOT worked for several years in a row. Not since the 4 inch or so snow blanketing the community gardens on May 21. I now aim for about May 24 as last frost date, and anything going in the ground before that has a hot cap of some kind or is a brassica or lettuce. And walls of water principles are applied too. This year I'm collecting tall clear plastic 1 gallon water bottles so I can use them as clouches. First frost is about the third to fourth week in October. Cut out the bottom put a tall enough stick thru the top into the soil so they won't blow away. Every year wind has been an issue in the spring as well.

[@eliandkate]

Yeah wind is a big issue for me too… in fact right now, it’s howling outside and keeping us awake 😭

[@emptynestgardens9057]

Most excellent content as always! As a new gardener over the past 3yrs I've learned how much our frost dates have changed year to year. Here is where a garden journal is so handy. I also wished I had thought to contact local garden clubs to ask. You would have laughed so hard at my first early spring gardening in Zone5 🇨🇦 in a tiny plastic amazon greenhouse strapped down to our back deck with ratchet straps from the wind storms. Moving blankets wrapped around it at night with a Crock-Pot full over water inside and a space heater 😳😳😳 😂🤣😂 It totally sucked the joy out of growing. Have not started early since. ☺️

[@eliandkate]

Oh I can imagine the stress every time you heard the wind pick up!

[@emptynestgardens9057]

@@eliandkate Or the forecast dropping to -15 😬

[@sheilathomas8528]

Thanks for a very informative video, I won't be starting to early. Thanks for sharing.

[@eliandkate]

Glad you enjoyed it Sheila 😍

[@charlieb1103]

I have started my peppers and my aubergines, they live on my windowsill until I start my tomatoes in March and then they will move into the greenhouse. It gets challenging from March because I've got tomatoes, squashes and melons on the go and they can't go outside until June.

[@eliandkate]

A universal problem if space 😀😀😀

[@TheTravelingCanadianFoodie]

Fraiser and Niles would be proud anyhow!!!

[@eliandkate]

Ok might need help with that one???

[@nicolahart9177]

Great video and I'm with you - sort of - going to grow one of each of the tomatoes early just to see what the difference is. Last year I did my tomatoes early BUT... they were on 'sunny' windowsill on heat mat for germination. However, as they grew and I potted them on off the mat, the cold of the glass in the window at night caused a real problem! Stunted growth, purple leaves, it took ages for them to get going again and they fruited late!! It took a while for me to work out what had happened.

[@eliandkate]

Oh I’m with you Nicola… I had the very same thing happen in my greenhouse last year.

[@dustyflats3832]

Thank you for documenting the experiment! I thought plants had a set schedule. I hear so many start way too soon. I aim for root vegetables to be harvested later when it’s cooler-hopefully. I have also heard the warm season crops catch up quickly. I just purchased a soil thermometer 🌡 🎉. Not planting out until soil is warm enough. It just sets the plants back setting out too early and surprised that it can actually make celery prone to bolting. This also tells me to hold off on winter sow jugs as we are hitting highs of mid 40s!!! Tomorrow warmer yet with rain!!😮. Normal January is highs around or below freezing. Our AG news caster said we will pay for this as it doesn’t kill off bugs, etc. I just read today online the problems with pathogens attacking lettuce, etc in California including flooding problems. It’s such a problem that some fast food are leaving out the lettuce in sandwiches. A box of lettuce they say can go for up to $70! California supplies about 75% of produce for nation (US). I’m excited about the tomato info as that means I could winter sow them and still produce a good crop. Seed starting shelves are already crowded with indoor lettuce and micro greens. Our local convenience store owner said it was a bidding war to buy eggs-😂😂we are getting chickens again 😂😂 Great info-thanks! Note on frost dates- those dates are average not set in stone. And yes, extra time because of the week or so to harden the seedlings off. It’s a crap shoot as I remember getting a frost every month in late 90s here in WIsconsin, US.

[@eliandkate]

Plants do have conditions they need, which is why I laid out the pros and cons of starting early. If you are growing outdoors you can’t cheat this. You have to work with nature and your weather. But if you grow indoors (or with a greenhouse) you can adjust things a bit depending on your situation. You made me laugh, I’m guessing you missed my whole drama but about last frosts being an average?

[@dustyflats3832]

@@eliandkate no avg weather anymore. It’s raining cats and dogs right now and we are way above normal temps this whole month. Thursday we are to get snow (12”?) we don’t know how much or if until we hang our head out the window as the meteorologists are confused with all their weather models. My dog could tell better forecasts. Hopefully it will cool down closer to February as I’m getting geared up to winter sow. Yes, average🤪

[@richardhigel5612]

Thank you for your fun and informative videos.I am doing some ‘Winter Sowing’ this year in clear containers as I do not possess a greenhouse nor do I have the space for indoor seed starting.

[@eliandkate]

Sounds like a fun way to get the gardening bug Richard. Have fun!!!!

[@christinebrooks6364]

Hi Eli & Kate, brilliant video with lots of advice about starting seeds early. Thanks for sharing and take care 🙂

[@maikeadam5354]

Thank you so much! This is so interesting, I think I might do a bit of both, some early inside and then some a bit later, that way I get tomato’s and peppers throughout the summer! For us here in south west wales it usually depends on how often we get to see the sun that depends on how well my tomatoes grow lol

[@eliandkate]

That sounds about right, need the sun for the heat 😍

[@Garden-of-weeden]

I’m so tempted to sow some now and again later as a comparison …. X

[@eliandkate]

A comparison is always a good experiment

[@ameliabeeley4005]

I agree, you don't have to sow loads now, so a few now so you get an earlier crop then sow more in March or April so you get your later crop. Didn't you do a video on succession sowing Eli????? 😂😂😂

[@eliandkate]

You know Amelia, I think I did 😂😂😂

[@Garden-of-weeden]

@@eliandkate I’m just impatient but I’ve also had a heated propagator for 4 years that I’ve never used 😂

[@eliandkate]

😂😂😂😂

[@jo-annjewett198]

You could do both, by succession planting. You can have early and late season. That’s what I am doing. Once July and Aug hit south Texas everything will burn up except okra. My tomatoes and peppers are up and just up potted some of my tomatoes today. I have one early variety in the garden bed. It was 87 F yesterday but our last average frost date is Feb 1 so I am taking a risk.

[@eliandkate]

Sometimes the risks are the fun but… when you beat them 😀

[@karenmacleod4777]

Hi Eli, I have just started being a gardener for the last couple of years. I just discovered your site when I did a search for gardening in Scotland. I an loving your hints and tips. Fabulous 🤩 keep up the good work. Loving it.

[@eliandkate]

Awwwwww brilliant you found us Karen We have a website too with heaps of blog posts

[@amiladybug9526]

I never started early I do most in March as I have no room to keep plants in the house and also the last frost date is near end May as I add 2 weeks on just in case. I still got a good harvest of toms in summer and a few peppers.

[@eliandkate]

Excellent, nice to have someone confirm my experiences too 😍😍😍

[@carolinebown8686]

Fantastic video ...bless you ... just the information I need right now ! My new Greenhouse is complete & organised now ... and Im desperate to start sowing ... but I can see your different points ... so lots of 'food for thought' 😘😘😘❤❤❤🌻🌻🌻

[@eliandkate]

A wee g&t while you think then….

[@carolinebown8686]

@@eliandkate 🤣🤣🤣🤣❤

[@gudi361]

My biggest problem is Space. I always think this year I will only saw a few plants. But I always end up with the whole living room floor full of plants waiting to go outdoors or in the green house. Here we go again....

[@eliandkate]

😂😂😂😂😂

[@jennyjohnson9012]

Hi Eli, I'm not sowing anything yet. My small greenhouse is full of cuttings from summer, so no room! We woke up to snow this morning here, so its definitely too cold. I have sorted everything and cant wait to get going.....but not yet 🤣

[@eliandkate]

we got a wee touch of snow too, and lots of ice

[@markcrichton3257]

I started my pepper (chilies) a week ago as I find the plants need time to grow. The growing season here is 105 frost free days however the number of night temps that are above 10 C is definitely less than frost free. The cooler nights impact the peppers. I don’t put them out until early June.

[@eliandkate]

I get between 80 and 85 good growing days for tomatoes and peppers… just thankful for my greenhouse

[@seamonster323]

Thank you for sharing your experience with us! I always start my warm weather plants in mid march for zone 6b in the US, but I start my onions in January inside under lights because they have such a loooong growing season.

[@eliandkate]

How are your onions doing?

[@moonwrasse]

I started early last year with heat mats, this year I am starting later with no heat mat or lights or plant Hokey Cokey! I will sow radish and greens now that’s it. I may also buy chilli plugs instead.

[@eliandkate]

That sounds like a good plan Less stress

[@stuck_in_the_magic_shop]

Thanks for this video. I'm in my 3rd year of gardening so quite new and have felt like I should be sowing my seeds indoors NOW. So I've sown my tomatoes and aubergines and now realize I'll have nowhere to keep them 😐 this was so informative and think I will now wait until March and sow along with you 😊👍

[@eliandkate]

awww brilliant to think this has helped to reduce the pressure on you a bit. Looking forward to having you sow along with us :D

[@kennymcdonald1773]

Great advice and relevant to me. New greenhouse was erected in November and I have been champing at the bit. I will be holding off for a few weeks before I plant my tomato and cucumber seeds. Potting shed arrives this week (subject to snow conditions). I will be patient. Looking forward to next broadcast. Super show.

[@eliandkate]

you got the snow today too :( its more the ice than the snow that's a problem for us, treacherous out there

[@aphillips5376]

I'm trying early sowing indoors this year with a 2nd sowing in early spring/summer to get a second fall harvest. Total experiment for me this year. I want to start canning this year and want lots extra for newbie mistakes.

[@eliandkate]

Oh that’s a perfect reason to grow lots 😍

[@davidsdesign543]

I loved this video so much! Best intro ever!! Plus fair and valid arguments (as always)

[@eliandkate]

😂😂😂 glad you liked it David I wasn’t sure if it was a bit too “Eli” for some people

[@davidsdesign543]

@@eliandkate No I LOVED IT! Authentic and funny and clever. More of this please! And thanks to you I finally worked up the courage to look up my last frost date. And ho boy is it later than I thought! (nervously looking over at my leggy little pepper, bell pepper and tomato seedlings on the window sill that don't get nearly enough sunlight and heat)

[@eliandkate]

Eek!!! A lot later??? Oh no, you’re gonna have to baby them!!!!

[@Oktopia]

This season is the first I can start off on the right foot. For the first time ever in my life, I have a garden space where I can do what I want. No more container gardening in tiny verandas and terraces. I can dig beds, and plant bushes, and trees. All the things! I will be pacing myself so I don't go bankrupt hehe But it's a hard thing holding back. I even managed to establish a compost heap last summer so I'm hopefully off to a good start with some good dirt of my own making. I have also started Bokashi composting my kitchen waste. *flex

[@markburns3712]

Really enjoyed this balanced approach to sowing. I find your videos really wachable and a good balance between informative and fun. I must admit I normally wait until March to begin. This year, I am experimenting sowing half of my chilli, pepper and aubergine seeds now with heat and half at the start of March, hoping I will have a longer bumper harvest.

[@eliandkate]

fingers crossed Mrk, long and bumper harvests for all of us I hope :D

[@VampireLeigh]

LOL that opening was great. It’s too late for me I’ve already started inside (much to my husband’s dismay!) Lisianthus seeds, several flowering perennials, Red Baron onions and about four different kinds of sweet and hot peppers haha

[@eliandkate]

ha ha ha ha brilliant.... does he give you dismayed looks?

[@samanthahoos9827]

I started bunching onions in the house last week and they started popping up today. This week I hope to start some brassicas on heat mats in the house because by the time they are larger they will be ready for the greenhouse and can handle cooler temperatures

[@eliandkate]

We have bunching onions in our herb bed starting to appear now. We just use the greens on them (like chives) and they come back year after year

[@kburkes4245]

Lots of good reasons to wait. So I planted some onion seeds and I'm obsessing over them while I wait for time to plant tomatoes and peppers 🤷

[@eliandkate]

Good plan

[@quantafitness6088]

Sometimes I get cynical and think that the idea if sowing seeds so early is promoted by the seed companies. But I also realise that gardeners just love to sow seeds 😍. Me too! However, my experience is that it is also important to provide the right conditions for the seedling to grow. And this can often make up of sowing later. Last year I had celeriac, chili and tomatoes way too big for their own good when it was time to plant out. I blame the fermented nettle juice as taught by Huw Richards. It is like rocket fuel for plants! This year I am starting later.

[@eliandkate]

Ha ha ha rocket fuel for plants might be great later do we think?? 😂😂

[@ThatBritishHomestead]

Oh my that is the question I want to wait due to the cold weather

[@eliandkate]

Want to, you say, you fighting an urge to plant? 😀

[@ThatBritishHomestead]

@@eliandkate till feb half term! Lol then I don’t mine them and I’ll heat the green house but till then no! Well I may do some cold weather ones that I don’t need to heat!

[@johnw5154]

Not rushing this year as well. Last year I ran a gas heater in the green house. With prices as high as they are I am not bothering. I will just wait

[@eliandkate]

We can chill for a bit John. Watch others rushing around while we relax

[@mags9536]

Thought for the first time I would start my seeds off early this year just when your not 😂 I'm still going to have a wee go at it and see how it goes. 🙂

[@eliandkate]

But you totally can give it a go… then be smug when you get peppers before me 😂😂😂

[@mags9536]

@@eliandkate if I get any 😂 let's see how it goes.

[@ayapomstra3283]

I love your video s. Wy not start a few now and the rest later so you have a longer harvest? Thank for all the work you put in your videos, loving wishes Aya ( I start my garden this year)

[@eliandkate]

Hey Aya This year I’ll keep January low key. I think the only main plants I’ll sow will be my aubergine 😀

[@chicosgarden]

I love this youtube account! I have been following for a wee while, I live in the Central Belt of Scotland and I'm looking at getting a small mini greenhouse, probably the Aldi one as I only have 80 cm width to go on. I'm a newby gardener, looking for tips on growing in small greenhouses... I'm thinking a couple of herbs, peppers and maybe start some potatoes in a bag in it.

[@eliandkate]

We used to grow our potatoes in bags, it works a treat!!!

[@christinamoxon]

I'll be starting my chillies and onions, and a few ornamentals that I want to get flowering early, but that's it. We're lucky here in East Sussex, as our last frost date can be mid April. We've had the BBQ out and suncream on during mid-april heatwaves. But I will hold off on tender plants until end of April, in case of overnight cold snaps. I live not far from Sarah Raven's farm, so if she's planting out, I'm probably safe to do it too! 😄 I'm so excited - I wonder if anyone's doing a 'grow along' with any ornamentals this year too? Like petunias for baskets. 🤔

[@eliandkate]

Oh I suspect I could be convinced…

[@christinamoxon]

@@eliandkate Do it, do it, do it! You know you want to. 🌸🌼🌺🌷🌸🏵 Set beginners off with some easy-to-grow ornamentals for their borders and baskets. People need 'pretty' too. It's a joy and - strangely - I find it less pressure, because I don't need to eat it, so if it's not perfect or prolific, it's not the end of the world. It's just fun.

[@eliandkate]

You know it was the first video I did 😍

[@christinamoxon]

@@eliandkate I remember it. Potting up petunias. Was that the year you had that cold snap and had to go out and buy baskets? I can't remember. I bought mine last year. I'm determined to grow my own this year. Ruddy expensive. xx

[@eliandkate]

I had to go look… 6 years ago! So that was back when we still bought a lot of our flowers. We weren’t quite the experts in petunias yet, still learning

[@cpoco]

I appreciated the performance and the critique (long time would be actor)... also given where you are... are some people going to be confused about "the Scottish play" ;) On a more serious note... I'm still learning how to best use my greenhouse/getting seeds started early etc. It's all fun either way and I'm learning (slowly).

[@eliandkate]

If you appreciated that performance it doesn’t bode well 😂😂😂😂😂

[@carolechamberlain1766]

Love your videos!!!! You are so funny & educational!!! I love seeing Kate!!! ~ Hamlet, reference… clever!!!~

[@eliandkate]

😍 glad we gave you a smile

[@stormwilde3145]

Another way you could do it is to stagger your sowing..so some toms or peppers in Feb and then some more later in late March ... but as you say things soon catch up 🙂

[@ryangraham585]

I'm so tempted to get started early but I'm trying my best to wait. Living in north east england we are forecast -4°c next week!

[@eliandkate]

Be strong Ryan you can do it!!!! I’m with you 😂😂😂

[@charlotteinnocent8752]

I did last year. I have a heated mat and 1 light panel just for the ones that really need it. But I have a bad cold and I'm not feeling like myself so I will be planting my "needs to be early" seeds when I'm feeling more like myself again. Personal choice to wait because I'm just not up to it yet. Last year this time I had some things started indoors. Not this time.

[@eliandkate]

that is very sensible Charlotte, I applaud you

[@nineteenninetyfive]

I think you did a great job talking about the relative merits of each approach. I have been drawn into sowing some onion seeds early, but I still have plenty of seeds to sow later and its going to be a bit of an experiment for me. I think i like to sow a little early for tomatoes and peppers but not so early, so maybe some time in February. I'm prepared to do a little "hokey-kokey" but I don't have any lights or sunny windowsill to work with. I'm not sure I have ever seen the natural end of a tomato or pepper harvest before the frost comes so that part is news to me. One thing I wonder about is the idea of growing momentum. The idea that plants do best if they can keep growing in good conditions from seed to harvest. Inevitably plants that are sown early end up growing in less than ideal conditions, and that momentum can be lost, so I wonder if that is an actual phenomenon or something I have just invented.

[@eliandkate]

I don't think you've invented that at all... I think it's why a lot of folk find later sown seeds catch up or overtake earlier ones. IF you don't have heat and lights to create the perfect environment the plants just aren't going to thrive are they? Same will happen for the other end of the season too... as temps drop, my plants start to reduce their growth and produce... I could heat and light the greenhouse but is it worth it? I think you are spot on.

[@anitahaywood9827]

I had a pants year in poly last year, I think I was more concentrating on flowers on my 2nd plot. I've given that one up now after a year, I cant do 2 plots, I work full time, the second plot was really stressing me out. I've sown onions, chilli's and peppers, I can provide heat and light. I'm following Jessie at plot 37 and trying the Socrates, they will stay at home rather than the allotment, sown Luffa and cucamelon, hoping to get a head start! Tomatoes I will hold off until March me thinks, and I need to narrow down what I'm growing! a couple of years ago I think I ended up with at least 12 different varieties, nuts woman, just nuts lol

[@eliandkate]

I can’t imagine how you coped with 2 plots and a job!!! I battle with just the garden and stupid work getting in the way 😂😂😂

[@j.b.6855]

Sowing seeds early is an age old question. I have a seed sowing setup in an extra room in my basement. I made the mistake of starting peppers and tomatoes way to early the first two years of having it. The plants grew to big and became a problem when watering and taking up space. Because they grew big they were in about double the trays. Carrying trays up and down the stairs to harden them off got old real quick. That being said some things will be started at the end of the month. Onions and herbs take forever to get big and I will start them. I will also start cold crops early because they go out first.

[@eliandkate]

sounds like a proper sturdy plan JB Luckily I don't have to carry things up stairs, but I have broken a couple of plants just getting them from the house to the greenhouse :(

[@BloosSelfReliance]

Yeah I don’t start anything until late March early April … we have a cat that likes eating seedlings so it’s safer to start them outside in the polytunnel a bit later in xox

[@eliandkate]

HA HA HA whereas ours eats all our flowers

[@BloosSelfReliance]

@@eliandkate lol pretty sure she would too if given half a chance lol

[@marksallotmentplot]

Great video! Good to see Kate keeping you in check Eli 😋 I think we can all get a bit carried away with seeds at this time of year and this is some great advice on what to do and when!

[@eliandkate]

It's too easy... especially when the weather sucks and you just want a week burst of garden fun

[@chrisivens3413]

If you're wanting to grow superhot chillies, you'll be wanting to start them off soon in the UK. If not, Feb-March is fine if you have lights and heat. I'm planning my peppers a the moment. Don't think I'll grow superhots this year though.

[@eliandkate]

nah not something I'm into either Chris. Happy with my bell peppers :D

[@chrisivens3413]

@@eliandkate I only tried growing superhots last year so I could make a sauce and try to kill a colleague who must have a ceramic mouth. Anyway, he left so there's no point now. Low-mid heat is fine by me. Jalapeños FTW.

[@eliandkate]

😂😂😂😂

[@ginavalcke8162]

Frost dates, be conservative Last year my last frost day was middle of March, and I was weary as I remembered my garden being quite cold in April. And I was right, we had MINUS 6 in the third week of April inside my greenhouse. God knows how they calculate those averages - perhaps the temperature in Piccadilly Circus, but not my garden.

[@eliandkate]

Ha ha ha you definitely need to be looking at the frost date for your garden. If you don’t record that data yourself, then make sure to use a resource for your post code 😂😂😂

[@largefamilyruralliving7434]

I couldn't find your zone in the description of your channel, We are in 5b/6a zone, so many people start seeds here in Feb sometimes in Jan. But then they don't work out. I like to wait till March. We can't plant till May here anyways. Nice video. I think people should start microgreeens if they feel the need for seed starting this early. Tasty.

[@eliandkate]

ah, yeah we're not in a zone - we're in Scotland. The zone system is specific to the US (or Canada for their zones), it doesn't really work for us as our weather and temperatures change quite dramatically over small distances. You'll find some website try to map the UK to zones but it's not really a good fit for the conditions we have or to the areas they fit. If it helps, we usually see a low of around -7 to -8C over winter. We don't get a lot of snow but we get hard frosts and freezes (mostly due to how wet it is around here). However the big difference between us and some places is that our temperatures ramp up and drop down relatively slowly over a period of time, unlike some places in the states where it can be quite sudden and quite dramatic.

[@largefamilyruralliving7434]

@In the Garden with Eli and Kate that's interesting and sounds a bit challenging as well. Thanks for the reply.

[@eliandkate]

:D I'm learning now that it's much less challenging for us than for some of the folk in this community. I'm starting to see how lucky we are :D

[@coastalcrocus]

I dont as yet have a greenhouse/coldframe available in my 4B/5A zone to assist my gardening habit - any plants that I feel the need to start early must be grown in the house somewhere until ready to put out into their permanent location - my experience has been that the larger, more advanced starts dont always fare as well as the smaller ones with the transition so I opt for a later start date - less transplant shock - happy gardening!

[@eliandkate]

Transplant shock is horrible…. Makes you feel like a bad plant parent

[@coastalcrocus]

Absolutely! Here I will start onions approx Valentine's Day - brassicas end of march - sweet peppers and herbs after Easter - tomatoes and eggplant end of april - cukes and squash in early may - helps to better use my limited indoor space also

[@eliandkate]

I applaud your organisation and planning

[@craftyfarmer04]

I just finished my first round of seeds for the ones that take up ti 10 weeks. But we can plant as early as March here in the deep south usa. Ill wait 2 weeks before i start my next round like my Tomatoes and stuff. Then 2 weeks later my melons and squash. But i also start all my pkants in 3 inch pots so i dont have to uppot

[@eliandkate]

Oh that’s a brilliantly early start time… I’m actually quite jealous. March!!!!

[@adysveggarden]

Hi Eli, you always have the option of growing a few Anmore dewdrop as earlies which you got from Camilla country living. At a foot high these would be easy to bring in. I'm similar timings with you on the tomatoes but also going to try a few bush tomatoes as earlies so always easy to bring in if necessary.

[@eliandkate]

So many tomatoes to think about!!!!

[@christinespragg2486]

I'm wanting to expand on the flowers, we too live by the coast. Ideas please, what works for you. All the best to you both.

[@eliandkate]

Pretty much all the stuff we mention are reliable in our garden. Obviously how specifically close you are to the coast and how exposed you are will make a difference, but we have reliable shows from soooooooo much. It would take me forever to list them all here, but I'd say if you aren't actually facing the sea with no barriers etc, then I'd say most things that are happy with your soil, light etc should do ok. The cost is most of an issue because of wind, or if there are no barriers, salt In terms of perennials you need to think about your winter temperatures, water, frost and freeze, snow etc as well.

[@christinespragg2486]

@@eliandkate thank you for your swift reply, much appreciated. I how many many many seed packets . Need to look through your shows and start planning . All the best

[@eliandkate]

Best way to think about it is to try things and see, test different areas of your garden cause some are more sheltered than others but choose varieties based on your lowest temperatures

[@summerbeemeadow]

Great presentation style. Love it!

[@eliandkate]

😀 glad you enjoyed the video Steve

[@amandasylvester3878]

Oh heck! To sow or not? My house was a jungle last year with early sown beans and peas, had to be removed from the window blinds. This year I may sow some geraniums and hold off on the tomatoes, there's 5" snow outside ❄

[@eliandkate]

I'm wondering if winter will be later this year... we're only just getting winter temps now

[@amandasylvester3878]

@@eliandkate me too! Nearly died when I saw the gas bill! I can't get to my raised beds with the sprouts and leeks, the greenhouse is frozen shut so the land cress and cavalo Nero are but a distant dream 😂

[@eliandkate]

Oh no I’m the same, the lids onthe bed are stuck

[@gardengrowngroceries]

Alas poor Yorick, I knew him well Horatio

[@gardenshappen]

Try taking cuttings of your tomatoes to keep them going. This could also help with them getting too big as you can just keep the smaller cutting.

[@eliandkate]

And after last years experiment it showed how easy it was to grow from the side shoots

[@debbybrady1246]

I want that flower pot....lol

[@eliandkate]

It’s just a standard black plastic pot with a sticker on it 😂

[@Cordelia0704p]

I used to always start my seeds early, but it became a lot of extra stress and I was burnt out by July. So, I don't do it anymore except this year I am starting onions but thats it. 😀

[@eliandkate]

hurrah... so what's your main seeds then, what do you grow in those first few months?

[@tracymccartney7226]

OOOHHHH to sow or not to sow! Got our sweet peas in this month. Would you direct sow carrots this month?

[@eliandkate]

I’m not growing carrots this year, taking a step back and growing a lot let this year 😁

[@NanalovesHonesty]

Good morning. I'm newish to your channel. Just finshed covering my raised beds. I love your seed box/ organizer. I have searched through many of your video's looking to find a link, but have been unsuccessful. Would you mind letting me know where I can find one? I don't feel I can move forward until I have one lol!! Thank you inadvance.

[@eliandkate]

Oh Dem, you’ll kick yourself. 😍 The links are always in the video description . I have a page on our website with links to all the tools and gear we use

[@NanalovesHonesty]

@@eliandkatethat's so funny, as I went through some of the descriptions and I even went to your website!! 🙄😄 ok thank you very much, off to find it, wish me luck ha ha thank you.

[@NanalovesHonesty]

Thank you. Found it! Hopefully delivered tomorrow 😊

[@eliandkate]

Woohooo that’s quick for delivery too

[@NanalovesHonesty]

@@eliandkate good ole amazon 😊

[@helenbland5210]

P.s ive sown my tomato seeds and chilli seeds but they are in my kitchen x

[@debbieporter8610]

I can start my Tomatoe an chilli seeds now?

[@eliandkate]

Maybe…. As I said in the video, it’s all about providing the right conditions. Can you do that Debbie? I know you hate when I make you work for it but it’s important 😂 you won’t learn and be able to repeat successes if you just copy 😂😂😂😍😍😍😍😍

[@GrowPlantsCulture]

After watching this… Mid March it is 🎉

[@eliandkate]

👏👏👏👏👏

[@barryroberts6470]

Hi Eli, what a cracking informative video thank you for sharing it with us. Myself personally i don't start my seed growing until the end of February into March, and my spuds i plant on St.Patricks day in March. Just a quick question what was the size of your Greenhouse and also i notice you have it on flags did you attach it to the flags? I'm just asking as i might buy a Greenhouse and i also have flags in the garden where it may go. Take Care and Stay Safe. Barry (Wirral)

[@eliandkate]

Hey Barry It’s just a 6ft by 8ft, it’s not attached to the flags, but rather it’s bolted to concrete in the corners and centre of each long side You get HUGE long bolts you use and concrete them in Very secure

[@barryroberts6470]

@@eliandkate Brilliant thanks for the reply i shall see if the bank account is ok to buy one 😀

[@helenbland5210]

Hi love your videos, can i ask what make is your green house please and where is uour shelving from x helen, Brigg North Lincolnshire

[@eliandkate]

Hey Helen The greenhouse is a rhino, it’s a British company. The wooden staging (benches) are from a greenhouse staging company… I’ve put a link in the page on my website if you want to go have a look

[@helenbland5210]

@In the Garden with Eli and Kate hiya thats fabulous thank you for replying x im looking at a Halls greenhouse which im hoping to order tomorrow 😀 😊

[@briansgardenandpolytunnel8172]

the final frost date isn't guaranteed from year to year...................brian

[@eliandkate]

Nope hence the explanation of average 😜

[@robertlankester1422]

What about flower seeds. I'm doing a herbaceous perrenial border from seed. Scattered some in autumn as an experiment. Now I want to do some indoors/out in a mini greenhouse thing and some of the seed packets say sow asap in a gh and wait for germination after natural dormancy, some say sow indoors from Jan, etc etc. Should I just follow the packets to the letter?

[@eliandkate]

Flowers or veg it’s generally the same thoughts for all. You could follow the seed packets, but my experience has always been that they don’t necessarily match up to my conditions (often they are produced in a different part of the country from me). So I’d say go have a look at some info about that plant. What does it need, will it cope with frost, does it have specific temperatures it needs. Then you can make judgements based on what you know about your garden, your greenhouse etc. I have a mix of flowers I grow, some I can sow (or are naturally dropped by the plant) in early autumn and will do fine over winter in my garden to come up great in spring. Some I start in the greenhouse once it’s a little warmer in early spring to be planted out after the frosts have passed. It’s all about getting to know your garden 😀

[@alexhuxley3355]

I think you need a polytunnel!

[@eliandkate]

Ha ha ha or just a bigger greenhouse

[@chicosgarden]

Do you know what is the most reliable frost date map? I'm in the Central Belt of Scotland and when I put my town in different websites, I am getting big variations of dates.

[@eliandkate]

the best way to think about it is that there is no definitive date... so generally all these website will give you an average based on the dates over the last XXXXX years. The best thing to do is to take one that sounds realistic from your memory.... and give yourself a couple of weeks afterwards as a safety blanket.

[@chicosgarden]

@@eliandkate Thank you! I think I will air on the side of caution and go with the later date and add on a week like you suggest. Thank you so much.

[@barrie6000]

Now my Frost date is middle of April , but that's the outside date. Is there a calculation for one inside an unheated green house? example, when do you move from the windowsill in the house.... to the greenhouse . on the example of early toms running out in August , thats the time when the outside ones take over?

[@eliandkate]

then it's about looking at the temperatures Barrie. An unheated greenhouse doesn't stay more than a few degrees above the outside temp unless it's quite sunny and at night it can drop below..... It's all about the nights, so I wouldn't be putting anything in there that needed warmth until the nights are very safely above 5c at least

[@wales123100]

The only thing I sow in January is chillies

[@eliandkate]

We’ve not done chillies for a while now. We just got way way more than we eat, even after the next season we still had over a kilo in the freezer from the previous season

[@wales123100]

@@eliandkate yes i still got loads in freezer don't really need more!!

[@eliandkate]

😂😂😂

[@alx252]

😂