When to start the year?

[haza1981]

So, I have been really lazy over the winter and decide that this weekend is when I am going to start on the plot again. I'm planning on some weeding and digging. I have an over wintered Chilli plant in the house and it is growing new shoots. This has made me wonder if it is time to start things off in pots on the window ledge yet? Also when should I be able to start things off in the green house?

Is it time to get some onions and spuds in?

Thanks

[Alison]

I have chillies, aubergines and sweet peppers germinating in a heated propogator in my utility room and early peas, mange tout, cabbage and cauliflower in the conservatory. The ones in the conservatory will be going in the greenhouse when through properly and then into the polytunnel when they are bigger. I also have onion seeds in the conservatory as well as some first early potatoes which I'm going to risk in the polytunnel from a very early sowing. My onion sets and remaining seed potatoes won't be shifting out of the garage for a fair while yet.

[Two_Sheds]

Is it time to get some onions and spuds in?

Not yet. Check out the What I Did Today thread to see what people are sowing & planting

Your location is also important. If you could put that into your profile it will show up on all your posts

[Nes]

For those of us with less than perfect conditions, it's probably best to hang fire on most seed sowing for a while. It'll be pretty cold outside for quite a while yet, and seedlings can get pretty leggy at this time of year because of low light levels, especially if they're kept in the house.

I have done one early sowing of leeks, which I germinated in the house, and have now moved into my unheated greenhouse. I have over wintering onion sets and garlic in the ground already, planted in the autumn.

This is a good time to do some weeding, digging and manuring, generally getting things ready for the spring rush. You could also think of putting down some fleece or cloches over some ground soon to warm it up for a few weeks, which will allow early sowings of beetroot, etc.

[Jono]

I've vowed to hold fire a little this year, as I've found that a lot of my early stuff (carrots, beets, overwintering broad beans etc) gets caught up by later sowings anyway.

I have sowed a few chillis as an experiment to keep me going.

I might experiment with some early carrots in a container and some lettuce under a cloches, but that's about it.

[solway cropper]

It all really depends where you are and how much protection you can give to things. I've started off some onions, leeks and lettuce with gentle heat (spare bedroom window sill). I have some containers filled with compost in the unheated greenhouse which will have broad beans and early peas sown in them when they've warmed up a bit. It's far too early for most of us to be thinking of putting anything in the open ground just yet.

[StephenH]

So, I have been really lazy over the winter and decide that this weekend is when I am going to start on the plot again. I'm planning on some weeding and digging. I have an over wintered Chilli plant in the house and it is growing new shoots. This has made me wonder if it is time to start things off in pots on the window ledge yet? Also when should I be able to start things off in the green house?

Is it time to get some onions and spuds in?

Thanks

I've got onions and lettuce on the kitchen windowsill, and seed spuds chitting in trays in the front room. It's a bit early for most things, I think, but not too early for anything. I may start Swiss Chard in seed medium in trays soon - it's supposed to be very hardy, and can stand being sown outside this early according to books, but my first sowing last year failed completely.
Also, Feb. is traditionally the month to sow parsnips, though many authors now say that it's better left till March.

[newspuds]

I have a heated GH which maintains 8C at night. Could I start seeds in a heated prop and would they survive at 8C as seedlings?

This is my first year with a GH.

[gojiberry]

The year has already started for most people now but most of us are still being cautious as it is still very early. It is so easy to get carried away with other peoples enthusiasm. I am busy getting cold tolerant veg sown i.e. carrots, onions, leeks, lettuce, kale, broccoli and cabbages. All under cover and have cloches to plant them under when they are ready. Will be starting potatoes in bags in the greenhouse on Feb 14th. I think anything you sow now you have to have the means to keep it going and not let them die.

Ian

[Jono]

Also, Feb. is traditionally the month to sow parsnips, though many authors now say that it's better left till March.

I wonder if their rep as bad germinators comes from people sowing too early?