Too late to plant seeds?

[harveymt]

I've spent all my free time the last couple of months clearing a patch of land to grow on. It took me a lot longer then I thought. I had a big list of things to plant this year but I'm wondering if I've left it too late to buy seed and plant it. Most things seem to need planting in March time. I'm in Northern Ireland so it won't be the warmest compared to say southern England. Some stuff like Artichokes would grow back next year so could I get them and plant them but know beforehand that I mightn't get much this year but have them in for next year? I'd also like to get a lot of soft fruits in this year.
Or should I forget about a lot of stuff and concentrate on preparing the soil for next year?

[Snadger]

Most outdoor stuff still needs starting from seed.

[Two_Sheds]

Most things seem to need planting in March

That's just the START of the growing season ~ check individual packets for more info

[MrsDaffy]

I hope it's not too late - I've still got packets of stuff to sow! Beans, squash and cucumbers this week. A lot of stuff can be sown successively for months.

[Alison]

I've yet to sow any brassicas with the exception of sprouts (will be doing a load next weekend though), summer or winter squash (also starting in the next week), French beans, main carrots (although I did mean to do them last weekend), parsnips and probably much more. I've still got more peas to sow and my sweetcorn is still very small. Runners only just sown and not germinated yet so in short, you've got plenty of time. My most developed plants are the tender greenhouse ones (peppers, toms, aubergines etc) although I've not sown cucumber or gherkins yet.

[donnakebab]

I don't think there is anything that is too late to plant if growing outdoors except maybe tomatoes. Just check what it says on the packets.

[Alison]

I don't think there is anything that is too late to plant if growing outdoors except maybe tomatoes. Just check what it says on the packets.

It's not too late for tomatoes but it is too late for sprouts from seed. Can't really think of anything else though (although there probably is something I've forgotten )

[solway cropper]

I'm in north Cumbria so probably a similar climate to you and there's virtually nothing I'd sow outside as early as March, apart from broad beans if the soil is reasonably warm. A lot of my outdoor crops are sown either in the house or greenhouse to be planted out April/May/June so you've really got everything to play for. Go for it.

Too late for planting soft fruit bushes as they are well into growth by now. Best leave them till autumn when they are dormant. You might get away with pot-grown plants if you are careful and keep them well watered.

[Two_Sheds]

Too late for planting soft fruit bushes

Maybe too late to get a good crop this year, but you can still plant them. They'll start fruiting next year

[leonmc0708]

Invest £20 in a heated proporgator off FleaBay - I did and have literally thousands of seedlings flying in my greenhouse

[farandwide]

Good morning this has cheered me up!

To the original poster I hope you dont mind me joining in here, I grew a few things last year but had intended to get going properly this year although just in my own patch in the garden but due to work being crazy and then ongoing illness I still have not sown anything. I am on the south coast in a village not far from Bournemouth. I was expecting to have to buy almost everything as plants but really pleased to see that I could even stand a chance with tomatoes! I will buy a few but will sow some today too. Seems like I will have to buy some sprouts plants though so thank you to whoever pointed out those are too late.

[Two_Sheds]

It's not too late to sow sprouts at all

[Alison]

It's not too late to sow sprouts at all

I stand corrected but based on experience I've never found that they'll form buttons if planted late - probably depends on the variety.

[chefgage]

As what has already been said above. It's not too late to grow most things. In fact with the weather the way it
Is I think its a bit early!! I got a lot of stuff started quite middle of march but with all the cold we have had I am holding off a bit longer for lettuces etc..

[Florence Fennel]

I sowed my green sprouts during March, but I've yet to sow my red ones, they'll be sown this weekend. I harvested my first lot of sprouts Christmas Eve last year. They were small, but perfectly formed and utterly delicious. I suppose it depends on the weather!