Planting this weekend

[Psi (Pronounced 'Si'!)]

All,

I am planning to sow the following this weekend:

Chard
Beetroot
carrot

am I doing the right thing and has anyone got any advice on this??  First growing season so all help appreciated.

Psi

[Psi (Pronounced 'Si'!)]

[debster]

when you say you are going to sow them do you mean indoors or outdoors cos there is a huge difference

[Psi (Pronounced 'Si'!)]

direct. Out of doors.

[Old bird]

I have planted my beetroot last weekend and didn't have time for too much more though I am going to be planting a load outside this weekend. 

Check the packet's instructions - and also bear in mind where you live - like if you lived in the South West you can plant earlier than "up North"!

Best of luck with it  - remember it is best not to plant the whole packet at once!  Make sure that you have a certain amount of spacing between each plant as it saves time later on thinning them!

Old Bird

;D

[jonny211]

Personally I'd wait a bit for the carrots... my early sowings last year didn't germinate well at all (frost & snow got them if I remember) but a second go in the same spot in early may did much better.

[Barnowl]

Theoretically you're ok, Beetroot, Carrots and Chard all have quite low minimum germination temperatures (around 5 degC) but they will do better (i.e. more seeds will germinate) if the temperature is at least 10 degC . Might be worth using a cloche to add a little warmth to the soil.

[cornykev]

Hi PSI I sowed some beetroot this afternoon and plan on sowing some carrots in large tubs at the weekend.  ;D ;D ;D

[manicscousers]

our carrots (early nantes 2) went in on monday under fleece, still eating beetroot from store, don't do chard  :)

[Sparkly]

We sowed some beetroot today outdoors. Am planning to get seed sowing over the next week in full flow, but won't be sowing most things outdoors for a while. I have put onion and shallot sets in.

[Psi (Pronounced 'Si'!)]

thanks all.

I might try carrots as an experiment - I have early Amsterdam forcing, has anyone tried them?

Whiplash - what's the deal with chard then?  Friends gave us lots last year and I thought it was really versatile - stir fries and salad.

Either way I'll be battling couch for most of the weekend! I am hoping the planing provides some light relief!

[cornykev]

Where abouts in Enfield is your site PSI.  ;D ;D ;D

[Psi (Pronounced 'Si'!)]

Kev, Clay Hill.  How about you?  Isn't Enfield tropical just now?  ;)

[cornykev]

I'm over on the rough side on Durants park, you can't be that far The Clockhouse, the Suns  8) gone in at the moment but been lovely since Saturday.    ;D ;D ;D

[manicscousers]

Whiplash - what's the deal with chard then?  Friends gave us lots last year and I thought it was really versatile - stir fries and salad.

get ready for this
we don't like spinachy type stuff and I used to do chard stems in cheese sauce
now lactose intolerant  :-\
anyway, loads of other stuff to grow  ;D

[Pescador]

I know its very tempting to get sowing a early as possible, but before doing si I'd suggest having a good look at the 14 day weather forecast for your area.
Then at least you've got a clue on what to expect.
I'm in the Midlands, and need to hold back for another week/10 days.

A good site to check for local forecasts is Metcheck.com