sowing early, is it worth it?

[serenity]

Been to check my first sowings of carrot today, parmax which I sowed late feb. They were sowed in a large container aprox 60cm by 90cm at 1 inch spacings. The packet claims they are edible from 12 weeks but the roots are only just starting to swell Same thing with beetroot (module sown in greenhouse then transplanted in the ground) 10 to 12 weeks stated on packet which means I should be pulling from next week but there's nothing underground

I understand that in feb and march the growth will be slower so probably take longer for them to be harvestable so is it really worth mollycoddling seeds at all when later sowings seem to catch up with the earlier ones?

[SuzieP]

I'm beginning to think the same as you Serenity - the only thing that was worth my while sowing early were the peas, we've already started picking them.

[SarzWix]

I came to the same conclusion last year with my tomato plants; the ones sown at the end Feb/beginnning March all germinated well, but then grew into these massive triffid plants which didn't produce any fruit until a week before the (much more bushy) April sown ones! And they had much lower yield than the April ones too.
Lettuce sown in Feb in frost-free greenhouse did rubbish - pulled em up last week to make room for more seedlings.
Best success - Charlotte potatoes in pots in greenhouse, nearly ready to eat, Yay!

[Flummery]

The trouble is, we're all TOO keen! I never think it's worth sowing before the suggested date on the packet. And even then I think it's written for the Home Counties and doesn't take account of us up North.

[Norm]

Years ago, there was a plot holder who turned up every year on the first of June and planted his crop. By harvesting time, all his stuff was as good as everyone else's.

[JennieAtkinson]

I was thinking the same myself this evening, when I noticed all the Cosmos (about 60 plants) which had germinated wonderfully, has now just about all keeled over in teh polytunnel. Normally I start everything off mid May. Also the peppers and squash are still only at four leaf stage, just not going anywhere at all. I didn't sow everything, kept about half back at least to do another sowing, so not all lost.

[Alice]

Well I suppose it depends where you are and how it goes for you. I ate my first potatoes today, have been eating salad and pak choi for weeks, courgettes have got little fruits on and squash are flowering, Aubergines are dangling in flowers and peppers could be cut now. Peas, beans and brasicas are well under way. As I said - all climatic.
Anyway, here's the potatoes which have been eaten and how the raised bed is going

[Flummery]

I think as long as you are taking notice of the weather (and what your plants are telling you) you can sow early. When I had an allotment near my old house, one chap used to ask us all in April, 'Have you got it all on, then?' Naturally I hadn't - sweetcorn, beans, pumpkins all still to come! He also used to say in September, 'Have you got it all off yet?' - No idea of succession or winter crops! The ideal is to have a bit of something all year round and if you can offer your plants protection you can get more. However, if you don't have a greenhouse or cold frame you will still get fantastic stuff and your maincrop and everyone elses will comparable. Something for everyone, that's gardening!

[kernow]

living in the far west i do tend to be too keen,after a very dry january i planted my shallots at the end of the month,5 weeks earlier than last year,febuary rain & more rain,ground too wet & cold,7 weeks before they started to shoot,thought they had rotted in the ground,but looking good at the moment.best result this year so far,planted 2 rows swift early potatoes 17th march and dug on 9th may(53 days). advertised as ready in 7 weeks,very good for outside.

[Madasafish]

Well this year I have kept a gardening diary and I have small tomatoes on my Jan sown plants: my March sown ones are just flowering. So it will be worth it ;;; I hope!

[sewer rat]

I agree that sowing too early can bring it's own problems. Veg is seasonal so why not grow it that way - tunnels and greenhouses can extend the season by a number of weeks and give some of your plants a head start, but Mother Nature usually intervenes and ensures that those crops planted on the correct dates are ready just as quickly as those given a pre season covered boost.
We have a guy up here who writes a monthly gardening guide in the county paper and you cannot argue with his dates - based on his own experiences over last twenty odd years (from his diaries).
Our safe date for planting out to avoid frosts is 29th May !!!
Jennie - my chilli peppers and capsicums stuttered at the four leaf stage too, but are now growing away well and forming lovely bushy plants - have Apache, Cheyenne, Scotch Bonnet and Jalapeno chillies and Bell Boy and Poseidon Capsicums.

[Alice]

I know what you're saying Rat, and yes, if you're growing commercially there's no point in taking risks. I'm just trying to grow food for my table and get as varied crops as I can over as long a period as I can. I've got the time to spare to footer about with things and find it worthwhile to start early and take the risk. I can always replant if it goes wrong with not too much damage done. I'm eating the potatoes I planted in january. My own salad leaves and peppers. My courgettes have fruit on and tomatoes have flower buds. It's worth it to me to get them early.
Like you, our official last frosts are end of May, but we haven't had a frost since March and no frost beyond todays date in the last 10 years. I know it could still happen, but keep piles of fleece at the ready.
I hope your venture is all going great. When you have time you must give us a good, lengthy update. Would love to hear all about it.