Is It Too Early?

[Togo]

Well I made a start. I have potted up 45 Geranium and Gazania plugs this afternoon and Broad Bean and Peas are given an early start as well. Last year and the one before it rained and blew right through April and May and I had to redo a lot of stuff. All indoors for now, but I may put my wooden cloches together at the weekend and think about getting the Begonias and Dahlias started. (tubers and Corms)

[woofgang]

I haven’t started anything yet, The ground is very cold and wet and I have very limited sheltered space.

[webbo3]

its a bit early to put them out, the soil temp is too wet and still too cold I would give it another couple of weeks at least until the risk of any frost has passed.



Dave.

[Arksided]

I've got as far as looking at the triffids and thought, nope too wet and cold to be digging them up.

[Togo]

Nothing is out yet, I have commandeered the spare bedroom(son has gone and only stays occasionally now). Just individual 2in pots in trays, and I use tea lights in the frames if frost is about. I have not assembled the cloches yet but am thinking of doing them this weekend. I feel we are due a warm early spring after so many cold wet ones. Hope I'm right.

[TonyV]

Wait Togo till weather and season is ok your looking at least 6 weeks away and then you may need to cover at night

[Togo]

I know what you say Tony I have only started what can be started again if the weather doesn't oblige, but I fancied a flyer if the conditions are there. I will be very protective of my Dahlias and Begonias, having collected them over a number of years. But if I can get them going early I can get cuttings before they go 'in'.

[Chipchopper]

I wouldn't be too hasty, still a lot of frost about lately.

[murraymints]

nooo much too early to think about putting the babies anywhere near outdoors..keep 'em snug in your back bed room for a good bit yet !

[frugalfred]

"Cast not a clout till may be out".

[Togo]

Just to update. I have no intention to put anything outdoors in pots or the ground as yet. I will be using wooden greenhouse type cloches to bring stuff on. The geraniums and gazanias I potted up in the week are all good(every egg a bird). I am just trying to be ready if the spring is co-operative. Another little point ff is that we live on the coast, and if there is frost inland we manage to escape it here because of the closeness of the ocean. I would like to get early Broad Beans and Peas though. 4 years ago we got two crops, and I have the time to be attentive now I am not in harness.