New needing advice!

[Jo.T]

I'm new to this so please bare with my ignorance! I've been growing bits and pieces for a few years but planned to up production this year and get my kids involved but having read some of the threads i think i've already been left behind. I do live in the north-east so it's still chilly here but you all seem to have planted so much already. I've peas sown 2 weeks ago - up today! but that's it! What else has everyone already started and am i too late?

[welsh veg grower]

no your not too late, I'm reasonbly new to this to and others will give you lots more advice, but I think you will find most of us are risking it with our early plantings. Usually made as we can not wait any longer.

[kernowyon]

not too late at all, most of the old timers at the lottie still say its too early to start planting in earnest. consensus in the car park was another couple of weeks at least, but quote ( 'don't hurt to take a chance, not too late to start again' )

[mazel-bee]

Hello Jo.T.
Spring is just popping its head up and it is a great time to get planting. So don't worry. There are plenty of plants to get starting with. Today I planted some carrots, spinach, rocket, parsnips and radishes.
If you get left behind there is plenty to plant as the months pass. Seeds like courgettes, sweetcorn and runners beans can be left rather late and you will still get a good crop from it.
Don't get over whelmed and try to take everything in your stride. As long as you are enjoying your garden I find it rewards you.

[smallblueplanet]

Hi Jo.T of course you're not too late, its hardly Spring yet. There's time to germinate seeds and if you miss out there, there'd be time to buy plantlets from garden centres, etc.

[sewer rat]

Hi Jo T
It is not too late to start planting - the mild winter has everyone fooled ! It is only the first week in March, so loads of time. If you have a greenhouse that will let you get started a bit earlier, but generally speaking, mid March would normally be about right for starting most things off - especially for us Northerners. I have only sown peppers so far as they need a long growing season, but will start sowing in earnest in about a 10 days time.
So no need to panic, and anyway, nature has a way of equalising most crops so long as they are sown in the right conditions.

[madderbat]

Hi JoT and welcome
It is really too early yet to start planting anything, imho, so don't worry. We tried putting some garlic, broad beans and spring cabbage in last Autumn and it seems to have worked, but haven't got anything else going at all yet. Last year the next lottie to ours planted his 2nd carrots in June and cropped them in September, so DON'T PANIC!! You'll do fine.

[Jo.T]

Thanks for all the feedback so far - i'm very impressed. We do have a unheated greenhouse but not huge amounts of space as i'm balancing kids toys/play area with vegetable patch plus trying to persuade hubby to did up all the plants we have so i can use the space for more veg! - might wait till next year for that!

We do have some spring cabbages still in plus some purple sproating broc which although large has failed to flower so a bit of a waste. Otherwise have the peas up but lots of seeds to organise and potatoes which are 'chitting' to plant (brought some of the sacks especially designed so don't use too much space). Have some red onion 'barron' - does anyone know if it's ok to plant those out yet? Packet is very vague!

Thanks for all the help and encouragement and i look forward to further exchanges!

[sewer rat]

It's too ealy for Baron red onions yet - wait another three weeks or so at least - they are very sensitive to the cold

[Alice]

Hello JT and welcome to the Vine. As everyone has said, no, you're not too late at all. The end of the month might be about fine. Yes, some people have started , but they probably have specialist knowledge and specialist equipment - and/or prepared to take a big gamble and start again if it goes wrong. What are you planning to grow ?

[JennieAtkinson]

Hello Jo T and welcome to the Grapevine!!!

I sowed a few seeds today, just to get something on the go, but normally I don't start sowing until mid April/beg May up here and I still manage to get reasonable crops.

[Jo.T]

Planning to grow the onions as mentioned, some Charlotte Pots, peas, french beans, runner beans, lettice, radish, spring onions (although tried last year and for aome reason didn't work) plus peppers and toms but have the plants on order (cheating there!) and will buy some courgettes later as have grown them for last two years having brought the plants and have been really easy. Have been wondering about carrots as the kids love them but our soil is heavy clayish and am guessing wont work

[JennieAtkinson]

You could always try some carrots in deep pots Jo T. I sowed a few yesterday (Early Nante) and covered the pot with fleece and left them in the (unheated) greenhouse. It worked very well last year, until the ground was warm enough to sow outside.

[Jo.T]

Thanks Jennie i'll give that a go

[Waffler]

Hi Jo T!
I haven't sown anything yet this year. I did sow broad beans back in the autumn and I'm left with just the one plant! so I shan't be doing that again! I also sowed sweet peas - they grew a bit and died. I'm glad I didn't get round to planting my garlic as that would probably have gone the same way.
The problem I have now is a rather water-logged garden what with all the rain we've had - there are literally puddles sitting on my veg patch, so there's no way I'm sowing anything on to that just yet!
I shall hopefully start sowing seeds in the greenhouse this weekend - though exactly what, I'm not sure yet. Mine is also an unheated greenhouse, but it works for me at the moment.