Topic: Jobs to do this weekend - but what about the weather?

[wivvles]

As well as the continued digging, tidying, weeding, edging etc, I was planning on planting raspberry canes and shallots this weekend - but the weatherman says that it's likely to freeze, even down here in the South West! 

If I plant the shallots and cover with fleece and/or a cloche, will that be okay?  And what about the raspberrys?   ???

[philcooper]

Shallots will have no problems.

Provided the soil isn't frosted when you want to plant, the rasps will be ok - the obejct is to keep the frost off the roots, once they are buried all will be well

Phil

[aquilegia]

But if your rasps have any new growth on them, be careful. I put my new canes in pots in my mini greenhouse (Haven't actually dug their permanent home yet - a bit of an impulse purchase!) The new growth was then burned by frost. I've since covered them with fleece for a bit more protection. But we haven't had another frost, so I don't know if it's worked!

[philcooper]

Aqui,

You shouldn't have been so "kind" to them. If you buy bare rooted plants in the winter, you shouldn't take them indoors or give them any protection (except in the even of very hard frosts), just heel them in outdoors - they'll thank you for it later!!

Phil

[terrace max]

How about strawberry plants? Will they be ok if they go in this weekend??

[Mrs Ava]

In this part of Essex next week is supposed to be Siberian weather!  :o  bbbrrrr.....!!!!!!  Strawbs are hardy, I would say get them in, but don't blame me if they pop off!  ;D  I agree with Phil, Aqui.  I planted my raspberry canes in a snow storm last year, altho the ground wasn't frozen, and no harm was done and I was picking a light crop come late summer! ;D  Most of these things are hardy and survive freezing weather, we mollycoddle them and make them soft and sappy and then they are open to alsorts of problems. 

[terrace max]

Thanks EJ

The strawberries are now planted. Now cold and sad looking - and so are the strawberries...!

[TULIP-23]

Terrace Max

Nearly finished Digging the Ground over here in the Netherlands....nice a soft due to Hailstones and snow this Morning.

Cant wait to begin planting outdoors..PLanning to begin Mid March when my Potatoes and Shallots arrive Mail Order.

Have things in Propagators in the Summer House on the Floor..   Peas ... Lettuce  Radish  Broccoli . ???

This all on the Advise of E. J. Phil  Windy Ruud Rose
Bud  Cotswold Lass Lady Cosmos  oh....S!!!  and  TIM and everyone else who has helped me.

Yes E. J The  Runner Beans I must buy this week ready for March Planting have'nt forgotten ;)

So you see lots of Help and Advise  :)

Greetings  Take Care

[sarahr]

Ok, so I can put my shallots in tomorrow. Anything else that I can get in or can't get in with snow forcast?

[wivvles]

Yesterday - twenty raspberry canes in, half a bed of shallots (rest to do next weekend when I remember to buy them!).  Two beds dug over, cold frames made. Long hot bath.

Today - gooseberry bushes pruned, currant bush pruned, two more beds dug over, six sacks of perennial weed roots removed, and whole allotment measured and pegged out. One long hot bath later I've transferred all the information onto Excel and planned it all out.  I was feeling very smug... now I'm feeling bloody scared!!!!! What have I let myself in for?  ???

[Debs]

Wow, well done you !!

Couldn't do anything myself as Siberia has hit the north east

coastline - much to the delight of the children.

I'm hoping to catch up next weekend.

Debs   

[GardnerJ]

couldn't do any digging
but i put lime on a 2 beds and the soil from the bean trench.
i put blood fish and bone in the bean trench and on 2 beds and on the other 3 beds i put growmore. I had a nice walk around with my eldest and went home cause it was bbbrrr freezing!
Jemma  ;)

[TULIP-23]

Finished the Digging here in Holland But the Gardens under snow.

Looking on the Bright side I bought an  Onion Set.

Yes Phil!!!  8)       Proper ones from the Boerenbond=
Farmers Cooperative ;)
Ready to set in the Garden when the  white stuff disappears.

Plus some plastic Netting for the Peas to hang on too!!

Oh and a little gadget for sowing different size seeds ???