Is it warm enough yet?

[Lulabellx1]

Hi Guys

I am planting carrots and cabbages outdoors this year (last year, started cabbages in pots).

The seed packet (and my book) says that you can plant them out from March onwards. However, it has been a cold winter?

Do you guys think it is warm enough to plant them out now, with it being near the back end of March and everything?

We live in East Sussex and I have just done a 10 day weather forcast. The highest high is 12c and the lowest low is 3c.

Lu x

[Paulottie]

Yes, but probably need some cloche protection...or maybe first some blackplastic on the soil to warm it up.....it is not the ambient temperature; but the soil temperature that is important for germination.

[stella]

Hi make sure the soil has warmed up a bit have some protection ready in case it snows again then I would go for it. There is always loads in a packet, if you lose the lot you can plant some more or you may be lucky and get an early crop.

[sarraceniac]

If the info helps at all, I planted some sprouts seed (same family as the cabbage) outside in a tray about 10 days ago and forgot to shove it in the coldframe. Despite a heavy frost or two since then they have germinated and are showing healthy little shoots. No sprouts on them yet though.

[elsie-scot]

If you have a poundland near you and have no problems buying from there, at the moment you can get polythene cloches (they call them polytunnels) and also fleece. Both can help keep things a bit warmer. Fine and cheap is to cover the soil within some black bin liners (not pretty but will help warm the soil up)

[elsie-scot]

If the info helps at all, I planted some sprouts seed (same family as the cabbage) outside in a tray about 10 days ago and forgot to shove it in the coldframe. Despite a heavy frost or two since then they have germinated and are showing healthy little shoots. No sprouts on them yet though.

now that would be a great veg, sow to sprouts in 10 days

[sarraceniac]

Slightly off topic. I went to Poundland in Scarborough this morning to get some 3" peat pots (30 for uuummmmm - £1). Bought 60 and also bought a Tayberry for errrr - £1. Popped it in a water bath for a couple of hours and now into an ericaceous pot. Well I've seen worse sticks with one root on and for £1 you have to risk it don't you. Just realised, I need more soft fruits like I need (another) hole in the head.

[BarleySugar]

I planted some parsnips and carrots under cloches, and beetroot, turnip parsnip and carrots unprotected. I'll see how they do. Onion sets were planted around the carrots as protection!