[Hosta Frequency Kenneth]

I tried a few seed trays this year, they're a bit of a pain i think. Dividing out hundreds of little seedlings is no fun. Can you just take them out by clumps? There must be an easier way! Individual modules are better, but not when there's average 1200 seeds in the pack!

[Greengage]

What did you plant that will help answer the question.
It would be better to plant three to five seedlings per module and thin out the weaker ones, but 1200 is a lot to transplant

[Hosta Frequency Kenneth]

I planted a good few different flowers, echinacea, Gypsophila, lobelia, alyssum. I think part of the problem is that I sowed them in march and april, and because of the cold I spent a lot of time also moving them in and out...hardening off. I got a cold frame from aldi but after the first windy night I found it in the housing estate down the road!

Is it all worth the hassle? Plugs seem like a better option but they don't seem so common at the moment. Maybe they're on the increase though, I actually saw potato plugs in Ballyseedy last week...

[Greengage]

for plugs go to mellifont and get them posted no prob.
The lobelia, alyssum. can be planted in clumps the rest i would plant individually.

[Hosta Frequency Kenneth]

Thanks for that. Mellifont might be a good option alright, lots of stuff on the catalogue.

[pollen jim]

hi, i also sow alot of flowers each year, whole polytunnel, dont be dishearten , its a learning process, which will give u huge enjoyment, that plugs wont. the trick is to sort out your seeds, dont sow more than you have space for .then size of seed, then if it needs to be sown on surface , or beneath, time to germinate, etc. to each seed tray, 5 rows, buy a label machine, best buy you ever do, and label each row, before all this, put seed compost in tray and water, and the when dry, unto water tray, you can buy a water tray in garden centres, the bigger the better. then when true leaves appear, these come after seedling leaves, you know, they look different, put into 24 pk trays, small flowers you can put 2 or 3 together, then when getting beyond this, into large 6 pk trays, like you see in shops, then put into cold frames or out during day , in at night for 1 week ,feed with Phostrogen, find this cheap and the best, as good for seedlings, i have 4 years of this and love it, and improving all the time, anyone that visits are impress enough. things i would change , are i might abandon seed trays, as more work transplanting, but, they save on room, so there , you have it. also sow at april, and june. so plenty of new plants to replace tired ones, seed needs to be current always. remember you have to have room in the garden for them or as i do also, i love to give alittle, this way people give me plenty of empty pots and 6 pk trays and goodies do not be dishearten the rewards are hugh,