Allotments 4 All

I popped to the lottie after work today (I love BST!) and welcomed my tiny pea and broad bean plantlets with squeals of joy and a wee jig. I took on the lottie in December, and am blown away at how impressively spring has sprung in the last 10 days.

Anyway, I wondered if I should be covering any of my weeny plants with anything? I've adopted the "stick it in and see what happens" philosophy of gardening and have faith that I'll get some produce in the summer...

Any thoughts?

I've got peas, broad beans, red onions, rocket and lettuce showing already, some scallions, and potatoes that went in last weekend. I'm also going to add in some squash and sweet peas soon.

Lizzie

I wouldn't put your squash out until you are certain that the frost has passed.  Cover potatoes if they are showing.

Apparently hard frosts forcast later in the week so if spuds are through the ground then they need covering.  I think onions would be ok.  Not sure about peas and beans - they don't need covering as a general rule but if hard frost on the way....  if you have the means and time to cover them probably good idea.

My spuds are not yet showing, so I guess the cold will keep them inside ... ?

I've got my peas netted (transplanted not direct sown.) They should be hardy - but I don't trust our feathered friends to leave succulent pea shoots alone. Have lost whole crops in the past to something,  ??? I also suspect squirrels but haven't seen any about yet, hopefully they are still asleep

Also beware of slugs especially where lettuce are concerned!

I have just put fleece cloches over the carrots and parsnips that I sowed last week.  Also put a windbreak type arrangement of fleece around the bed with the pea transplants - hoping this might also deter the pea moth, although as this is my first year I don't know what pests are a problem.

The main reason for fleecing everything is that the forecast shows minus temps for most nights this week.

belt and braces approach to my  (only planted out) broad breans.

fleece, plastic cloche cover and jagged edge slug deterrents.  poor wee things are probably sweating their socks off.

I agree with MikeB - the squash really won't survive if you put it out now. I won't be putting any of my squash out until at least mid May, and even then will keep an eye on the weather forecasts.

My potatoes are just showing, and even tho we aren't forecast frost (1 degree) I've put fleece over them.. 

I have some broad beans and a five peas (from I can't wait any longer January sowing  ::)) planted without any protection, and some broadies and shallots and onions under cloche protection with radish and carrots.

Alison