Hey!
I am just about to get a new allotment in the next couple of weeks.
I want to grow some onions (regular and red), garlic and some early carrots.
If I get the allotment in two weeks and it takes me a week or two to get it organised (the plot has been used to great success up until now so I assume the soil is reasonable), will it then be too late to plant my onions, garlic and carrots directly in the soil?
If so, I could plant them in individual pots now just to get them started and then transplant them across to the allotment in 3 or 4 weeks once I have got it a bit more in order. Do you think that would work? If so, can I leave the pots outside in a sheltered area, as space is limited inside? I have an old fruit cage I could put them in to keep the birds off. I assume that would be ok if they will come up alright after planting directly in the soil.
If I do grow them in pots and then pop them in the ground once they are started, should I cover them up with a mini poly tunnel cloche or would they be ok without. I have enough poly tunnel for some but not all of the seedlings.
This is my first proper venture into gardening of any kind, so as you can probably tell, I have a lot to learn (but I am keen)! :)
Any advice or alternative suggestions you can make would be very much appreciated.
Many thanks.
Michael