Planting Potatoes

[Maydup]

I normally plant my seed potatoes at the end of March or beginning of April but with the low temperatures of late I haven't started yet.

Has anyone else planted anything in the vegetable garden yet?

[diddlydo]

We've just been having the same conversation! Nope - nothing sown apart from peppers and tomatoes in propagator indoors. However, husband is intent on planting first earlies and onion sets tomorrow.

[furrypusscat]

Not yet but hoping to in next 2 weeks, ground will still be very cold. Last year we planted mid march.

[Maydup]

Well I was just wondering whether to plant one row of each tomorrow. It is a few degrees warmer this weekend even though its forecast to be colder again next week. But I simply can't wait any longer!

[nungate]

I'd leave it another week or two until the soil warms up a bit. If it stays cold they will just lie in the soil, and possibly rot or if if gets too wet and cold they could still rot. Here's a thought, have a look at when your local farmers start their planting and plant your veggies at the same time

[hellywelly4]

On Gardeners World this week Monty Don said leave things until the soil warms up, and everything should catch up then. If you plant things when the soil is cold, then it's possible that nothing will happen and they will just rot.

[Maydup]

Thanks helly, i did manage to resist planting anything today! It was such a lovely day, but cold again now and not enough warmth for the soil to warm up. Next week i have a busy weekend, so maybe the following one will be about right. I just needed to hear that others weren't planting either. Dn't want to feel left behind!

[coccinelle]

I'm north of Paris and it's still too cold to plant out. Unless you cover soil with fleece etc for a week then plant it's not worth it. On top of that rain is forecast this next week here.... Strange year!

[malagabob]

If your itching to plant. Put up some cloches a few days before planting. Then leave them covering your pots until the weather naturally starts to warm up.

[Barmaid]

I've not got anything in yet. Although I put some spuds in the polytunnel on Sunday and I've got some seedlings to go in when it warms up a bit.

Mr BM is desperate to get stuff in the borders and I have to keep reining him in because its just too cold.

[alavahalf]

Put some first earliest in buckets in the greenhouse 2 weeks ago. They are already showing a little... also put some radish in 4 weeks ago. They are ready to lift now.

[Maydup]

Really, where are you alava in the tropics?

[alavahalf]

West Sussex tropics ... between the Downs and the sea.

[chakka35]

My first and second early seed potatoes are chitting nicely. I reckon that in a week or ten days the shoots will be just right and, I hope, the soil too. It's difficult not to be impatient but it doesn't help to plant out when the soil won't support growth.