Length of growing season?

[DWSmith]

Is the growing season on your side of the pond appreciably shorter than the growing season on my side?

A lot of you folks seem to start so many vegetables in pots whereas over here there aren't that many types started in pots that I've heard of.

Tomatoes, peppers, and eggplants can use a long growing season to keep producing but I'm amazed by the idea of starting corn in pots along with many other vegetables I've seen in allotment videos.

Other than just having something early I don't see the point for most vegetables. Will so many things just not mature during your growing season if not started in pots?

Just wondering why. ???

Thanks!

[veggiechicken]

I start most veg from seed in pots because it gives me more control over the seedlings' welfare.
An early start for toms, for example, gives a longer cropping season but, whenever started, they'll still keep cropping until the cold weather arrives, about November, for me.

[Bren In Pots]

I start mine of in pots, guttering and modules because I don't have a lot of growing space doing it this way I only plant out viable seedling which means I don't have gaps in my beds.

[Jay-ell]

The growing season varies depending on the location. In the southeast such as Devon apart from being further south the coastal waters are also fed by the warmer waters of the gulf stream.

Up in the north east the coast is on th North Sea and is fed by the colder currents of the Artic Ocean.

This difference in coastal waters can make a big difference in spring temperatures.

Go even further north through Scotland and into the Isles then spring comes even later. Sometimes the only way you know it's not winter is because the midgies are biting

I don't know about the Midwest but my last frost is May/June with the first frost October/November

[jackarmy]

Same as above on the whole but also, growing in pots gives my babys a liitle bit of a head start before they go into the ground to face the nastys.
Just about everything i grow gets started in pots or trays , just dont trust them thar critters

[DWSmith]

Our frost free growing season is supposed to be from May 12 to September 20. I've seen some hot days (90*F +) in early May and late September though and snow on the ground on June 1. Weather?!?!?!

[Potstubsdustbins]

Seeing as I grow everything in some form of container from start to finish, starting in modules and gradually building up to bigger containers means I can sow different crops in succession and always have something ready to plant when a large container becomes available. Need a lot of pots though...

[Kirk]

Yes is the simple answer.
The US is basically below 49N, we are at 51N at the most Southern.
So you will likely have a bit longer growing season then we do.

[Miss Mousetrousers]

I grow most veg in pots using a good compost and put them in my greenhouse until ready for hardening off. This is because I have more control over the temperature, germination is quicker plus I can see what's growing and what isn't, plants grow stronger and, because they are bigger when planted out, they're not as likely to get their first leaves nibbled off.

[DWSmith]

Yes is the simple answer.
The US is basically below 49N, we are at 51N at the most Southern.
So you will likely have a bit longer growing season then we do.

That makes sense. Thanks!

I'm at about 41N.

Our frost-free season averages 157 days. How long is yours?

[Miss Mousetrousers]

Over the years it's been quite variable but recently we've not had any real hard frosts, partly because we live only a mile or so from the sea. I'd guess at 300 days frost-free, but then we get a lot of salty coastal winds which is even more reason to start seeds under cover.