Allotment Watch

[57vintage]

Winter onions still under fleece. Another three weeks should see the last of the heavy frosts, the soil will warm up, and they’ll take off like triffids atop a Mitre size 5. The second early Catrionas* will go in at the same time.

The top dressing (2” of home compost) was applied for the summer onion planting back in November, sowing probably about April 23 to celebrate Shakespeare’s birthday (he died on his birthday too, timing it as beautifully as any of his sonnets).

I have some salad seeds, but I think I may start them off in modules to foil brer gastropod. My pal brews beer on an almost small industrial scale, and generously gives me supplies. The more ‘experimental’ esoteric stuff (ken) like fruit and wheat beers will be the bait in my slug traps so that the slithery bástards can have a happy drowning.

* rules? Why, certainly.

[Shetland Don]

Just bought some compost and carrot, onion, tomato and parsley seeds. When is the latest I can plant these outside and inside? Maybe I’m too late! I blame this thread for doing such a silly thing. How much compost is best for each?

[57vintage]

Just bought some compost and carrot, onion, tomato and parsley seeds. When is the latest I can plant these outside and inside? Maybe I’m too late! I blame this thread for doing such a silly thing. How much compost is best for each?

Depends on the latitude of your location. I usually leave things 2-3 weeks after the sowing dates given on the packets, as they seem to be some sort of British Isles average. I’m at 57°N on the east coast, about 300’ above sea level, with prevailing SW winds, but with the plots in southerly a position to get maximum sunshine which also helps get the warmth into my compost bins.

I’m always a bit careful given that The Teuchat Storm and Gab O Mey can fûck up careful planning, especially in NE Scotland.

This might help: https://www.charlesdowding.co.uk/wp-...g-timeline.pdf

[Shetland Don]

Depends on the latitude of your location. I usually leave things 2-3 weeks after the sowing dates given on the packets, as they seem to be some sort of British Isles average. I’m at 57°N on the east coast, about 300’ above sea level, with prevailing SW winds, but with the plots in southerly a position to get maximum sunshine which also helps get the warmth into my compost bins.

I’m always a bit careful given that The Teuchat Storm and Gab O Mey can fûck up careful planning, especially in NE Scotland.

This might help: https://www.charlesdowding.co.uk/wp-...g-timeline.pdf

That’s a useful link. Thanks to all for the replies.