Are you planting too early?

[Benacre]

some plotters up here have planted potatoes as early as mid February, utter madness! due to the mild winter and no doubt warm spring have you too thrown all abandon to the wind and planted anything too early.
Potatoes always go in on Good Friday what ever the month it is in (March or Apr) and most of my sowing is mid April. I amnot a traditionalist just a careful gardener

[shirlthegirl43]

I might put some charlotte spuds in pots tomorrow. They were shop bought spuds which chitted so I have nothing to lose if they don't make it.

[rustylady]

I've always stuck to the traditional planting date for potatoes too, last year it was too wet at the time, but planted asap after, then we got quite a late frost but they came through OK. Just checked the monthly weather forecast and it looks OK, but we all know how often the forecasters get it wrong. Having said that I am tempted to put my spuds in this weekend if it stays dry.

[Protea]

i haven't planted anything out just yet (although my windowsills and greenhouse are full to bursting ), i may or may not plant out my broad beans and shallots this weekend or next - depends on the weather!

I met my new next plot neighbour last weekend who sadly was planting out some rather leggy broad bean seedliings she had bought from Wilkinsons (they looked awful but didn't want to upset her), just as the weather forcast had predicted 0 degrees overnight (i suggested some fleece). I did save her from planitng out her onions though - couldn't see all those seelings she had go to waste! She's very new to it all so have pointed her in the direction of the GYO mag

I've been trying to sit on my hands - honest! but they just can't keep out of the seed packets

[smallblueplanet]

Ahh well were would we be without a bit of madness! You've got to go for it if you feel it......and if it all ends in tears, well that'll l'arn ya!

[PAULW]

The site manager digging his plot today turned up a few self set potatoesthat were growing away quite happily, so seeing as the growing conditions suit the crop what is the problem, there again our season is about 2 to 3 weeks ahead of you

[rustylady]

You just have to trust your instincts, don't you. That's what it is all about - working with nature. You will have successes and you will have failures, but just keep trying. General rule of thumb - if the weeds are germinating so will the crops. Once they have germinated you just have to keep an eye on them, water if necessary, protect from frost and insects and hope for the best. There are no guarantees in life!

[Benacre]

My rule of thumb is " They have two chances" but I do like to give my seeds a better than average start if I can.

[TonyF]

You will die oneday rustylady, that's guaranteed.

Though contrary to the old addage, if you're rich enough, you may avoid the taxes!

[Snadger]

The site manager digging his plot today turned up a few self set potatoesthat were growing away quite happily, so seeing as the growing conditions suit the crop what is the problem, there again our season is about 2 to 3 weeks ahead of you

Don't know where you garden PAULW, but the keyword for most of us is FROST!!!

[shirlthegirl43]

No frost here!

[Snadger]

No frost here!

Not yet!

[Snadger]

A late frost can wreak havoc with potatoes!

[PAULW]

Snadger
Dorset

[Earthbabe]

I generally put my earlies in mid to end March. This year they are going in the patch at home which is covered with fleece and they will be recovered for two or three weeks. I'm aiming to plant next friday in accordance with the moon planting theory.

Unfortunately I suffer from the Jersey mentality of they should be in the ground by now and yes you'd better cover them. The spuds have already gone in on many of the cotils back home so two or three weeks later for here should be about right.

It's still quite chilly in the mornings (6am ish) but warm enough at the mo for a body warmer only over a shirt.