Quite a few of the plotholders at my allotment have already planted things like Broad beans, garlic etc.
I've been holding off for some colder weather. Correct me if I'm wrong but if you plant when it's still warm you're going to get lots of lush growth that's not going to like the sudden change to cooler weather?
There are few schools of thought on this one;
Yes what you say can happen if we get a very mild spell, however! if the weather becomes so bad later on, you might not have suitable conditions to plant out in.
Then there is another case for early planting; your seedlings/plants/bulbs will be able to establish themselves before the onset of bad weather.
The unknown quantity is; are we going to get any bad weather?
So really it all boils back to experience and knowing the weather patterns in your area.
If the other plot holders that are planting out now are experienced gardeners then I would be tempted to follow suit, if they are not then the decision is yours.
Thanks Tee Gee.
I think they're mainly newbies. I'll stick with last week Oct/1st week Nov that worked for me last year. I have their plots ready!
I might have a wander about next week and see what the old hands are doing, the Italians seem to clear up their plots and hibernate like you, Tee Gee.
I have sown peas and broad beans in modules and intend to repeat the process in two or three weeks.
I shall then use which look the best.
i do not think that onions and garlic are so risky.
Quote from: Kea on October 10, 2008, 16:58:15, the Italians seem to clear up their plots and hibernate like you, Tee Gee.
Funny you should say that. I've got an Italian on the plot at the back of me, Frank. The olny two English words you can get out of him until the end of May are "Too early, too early"
Some things, like overwintering onions, need to get off to a good start before winter, so put them in now. Garlic isn't critical. I'm not sure about BB's, but I intend to get mine in shortly.
Lot of Italians on my plot and their example is worth following. I got good advice with my Globe artichokes. They don't seem to grow broad beans though.
Garlic needs a month or more in the ground at 10C or less and autumn planting offers the best chance of this.