[tomzzz]

Hi, I'm a novice at growing veg, just grown some in containers before. I'm thinking about growing cauliflower, leeks, celery, sprouts. I don't have a polytunnel or anything like that just a sunny windowsill. Wondering if it's too late to sow seeds indoors for planting out or would it be just as good sowing in the allotment now?

Thanks,
Tom

[Belfast]

depends on what seeds you are planting.
I will be planting tomatoes in the next few days in pots indoors

I have no poly-tunnel.

Allotment & Vegetable Gardening in April
http://www.allotment.org.uk/garden_month/garden-april.php

[michael brenock]

good time to sow seeds of sprouts leeks and cauliflower. celery is more difficult and must be sown inside,All the others can be sown outside in a seedbed and transplanted later or thinned out. Sow very thinly.
michael brenock horticultural advisor (retired)

[Redfox]

It is a bit late to sow early crop from seed. I would go to woody's and buy 12 vegetable plants in a tray for 3.49. They have lettuce, cauliflower, early cabbage and a few more. I wouldn't bother with tomatoes if this is your first go at them. They need protection from wind and cold. You can sow peas, beans, beetroot, radish, spinach and many more directly in the ground. If the you have hard soil just dig a little trench and fill it with peat or multi purpose compost. Put the seeds into that and lightly cover. Don't berry your seeds to deep it makes it harder for the little plants to reach the surface. Don't forget potatoes, its time to get them in now. They are great to break up clay soil. Also beans, if you allow them to stand for the summer they will penetrate the soil with their roots and add nitrogen to it. For the next crop like winter cabbage or sprouting broccoli.