Sowing root veggies in modules

Hi Everyone,
I've been gardening for years but only started with veggies relatively recently. So, lacking in experience I always follow the advice on the seed packets - if it says sow direct this is what I do. Now I'm thinking I'd rather grow on small plants in modules then plant them out - is there any root veggies this will not work with? Reason I want to do this;
1. hate thinning out
2. hopeless at sowing thinly (I can hardly see the seeds with my specs ON) so wasting seed
3. as soon as I thin out something comes along and eats most of the remaining and I've got nothing to replace them with...
4. uneven germination

Thanks
Jen

 

I am also new, but I think I read somewhere that root veg don't like to be moved. But I might be wrong and there's always an exception I am sure.

 

I used root trainers for the first time this year and was very impressed!

however, i would also like to know about starting root veg in pots. I know of quite a few people growing beetroot in modules.

I think carrots are a no no

 

May have to do this with parsnips just to see what a parsnip seedling looks like. Think I'm going to try a wee experiment - can't waste any more seeds than I am now.

 

OK, I've sown two types of turnip, swede, beetroot, parsnip (the invisible vegetable). Also, non roots that I would normally sow direct two varieties of kale, chinese cabbage, calabrese and two varieties of savoy cabbage. Got no carrot seed at the moment so had to give them a miss - however if this works I'd do carrots this way.

I'll let you know how it goes - the plus side - because the tray is on the table I can see what I'm sowing (two seeds per module). Going to pop them in the polytunnel now.

 

We had a lady on our site that sowed every thing in modules and very rarely had problems with this method, she always said as long as you don't break the tap root you will have no problem,never tried this myself but she always had a good show of every thing.

 

Really interested to see how his pans out. So far only 3 parsnips have germinated this year direct sowed out of 2 rows!

I noticed Dobbies are selling trays of carrot seedlings this year too.

 

I once grew some radishes from seed. I transplanted into plug trays to bring them on and only got round to planting half. I just kept watering the others in the plug trays. They actually grew in there very well and went to full size - one pot per radish lol

 

Had very good success starting beetroot in modules, but then the bulbous root we grow them for is at the soil surface. Also sow celeriac into seed trays and pot on before planting out. Never tried parsnip or carrots. Seems to me you would have to get them in the ground as soon as the root hits the bottom of the pot, which wouldn't be long in happening after germination, so I think its not worth the trouble. If I have ever learnt one thing about parsnips is that planting early is a waste of time, germination being sporadic and very slow in my experience. Seed packets, etc. say plant from February but I never bother now till late April. Still time to sow them now I guess.

 

You could buy seeds on tape which might help you.

 

I like the idea of growing a tray of individual radishes...in the mean time the experimental tray is germinating nicely - but I'm off camping for a few days so just hope they're OK when I get back. I'll be giving them a good soaking as I head out the door and keep my fingers crossed.

 

This is the tray as of today - five rows in from the left you can just about see parsnips coming through - the last seeds to germinate. Well pleased with the kale and 14 kale plants is more than enough to plant out. Brassicas have all done well but don't think I'd bother with the turnips or swedes they went straight to 'spindly'. Beetroots looking OK and well pleased with the parsnips - now have to see if they grow on when planted out.

 

I used rootrainers for some runner beans and kale this year,all good healthy plants.Last autumn i planted the garlic in them and the root growth was excellent too.
Next year Ill use the rootrainer for everything else,toms ,cucs ,salad etc etc.