Novice needs advice on growing herbs and veg

[walkinthewoods]

I have planted corgette, toms, peppers, basil and rosemary in the greenhouse (in trays). The latter two were seed packets well past their sow by date (talking 2002! I keep allsorts for when it comes in handy). Will these old seeds be ok? I thought I'd just suck it and see. I have sown quite a few seeds of each along the tray, is there a limit to how many seeds? I have still got some left in the packet.

Have never had a greenhouse before, do they need watering everyday? They still looked pretty wet from yesterday.

We have some established strawberry plants in the greenhouse. Anything special I should do with them? I have dug out the weeds and put some compost from the composter in the soil.

We also have a veg patch outside. I was thinking of planting french radishes, leeks, onions and potatoes. I have dug over part of the patch (hard work!) and got out a load of roots (wwho knows what) Do I need to put anything else on apart form compost? What do I need to look out for?

We moved into this house dec 08 and because of the garden I have been inspired (always been thinking about it)

Must admit don;t have greenfingers usually kill house plants but have sucessfully grown toms and potted herbs

Lots of hard work going on in your garden!! Think you may have planted your courgettes a bit early - they need warmth (unless greenhouse heated?) Not sure how long seeds last but you may be lucky.

As for watering it depends on the weather and heat in the greenhouse - you can tell when they're drying out as the compost goes lighter. Thye need to be moist but not water logged!

Potatoes need chitting now(laying out in house in empty egg boxes to allow the potato to develope shoots) they can then be planted out 10cm deep 10cm apart recommend you buy "earlies" these are new potatoes which can be expensive to buy in shops - Pentland Javelin are a good choice.

What you put in your veg patch depends on the type of soil you have - but generally well rotted garden compost is the best.

If you want to know more the best book I have is the Joy Larkcom one......ohhh can't remember its title its got pictures of vegetables all over it....