First frosts and (partly) ignoring them

[Two_Sheds]

Clearly the suggested dates on the packets are suggested for a reason

Yep

You can bend the rules to a certain extent, but you still have to understand the basics of why and how plants grow, and their individual requirements (how much light, heat, space etc).

My packs of sweet pea tell me I can sow them in October, but I now know (from trying it) that my garden just doesn't get enough light for them, and they grow frail and thin. March sowings do much better for me

On the flip side, radishes are "meant" to be sown in summer, but mine are attacked by cabbage root fly and go woody: they do much better from an October sowing, but even then they aren't great