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Produce => Edible Plants => Topic started by: Psi (Pronounced 'Si'!) on March 18, 2009, 14:49:27

Title: Planting this weekend
Post by: Psi (Pronounced 'Si'!) on March 18, 2009, 14:49:27
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
Title: Re: Planting this weekend
Post by: debster on March 18, 2009, 15:03:01
when you say you are going to sow them do you mean indoors or outdoors cos there is a huge difference
Title: Re: Planting this weekend
Post by: Psi (Pronounced 'Si'!) on March 18, 2009, 15:18:30
direct. Out of doors.
Title: Re: Planting this weekend
Post by: Old bird on March 18, 2009, 15:58:50
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
Title: Re: Planting this weekend
Post by: jonny211 on March 18, 2009, 16:09:26
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.
Title: Re: Planting this weekend
Post by: Barnowl on March 18, 2009, 16:55:32
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.
Title: Re: Planting this weekend
Post by: cornykev on March 18, 2009, 18:08:42
Hi PSI I sowed some beetroot this afternoon and plan on sowing some carrots in large tubs at the weekend.  ;D ;D ;D
Title: Re: Planting this weekend
Post by: manicscousers on March 18, 2009, 19:03:07
our carrots (early nantes 2) went in on monday under fleece, still eating beetroot from store, don't do chard  :)
Title: Re: Planting this weekend
Post by: Sparkly on March 18, 2009, 20:49:20
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.
Title: Re: Planting this weekend
Post by: Psi (Pronounced 'Si'!) on March 19, 2009, 08:24:54
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!

Title: Re: Planting this weekend
Post by: cornykev on March 19, 2009, 16:55:47
Where abouts in Enfield is your site PSI.  ;D ;D ;D
Title: Re: Planting this weekend
Post by: Psi (Pronounced 'Si'!) on March 19, 2009, 16:59:02
Kev, Clay Hill.  How about you?  Isn't Enfield tropical just now?  ;)
Title: Re: Planting this weekend
Post by: cornykev on March 19, 2009, 17:03:54
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
Title: Re: Planting this weekend
Post by: manicscousers on March 19, 2009, 17:17:47
Quote from: Psi on March 19, 2009, 08:24:54

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
Title: Re: Planting this weekend
Post by: Pescador on March 19, 2009, 17:31:35
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