[pottyaboutgrowing]

Hi I started my lotty last year and had quite a good harvest. My problem seemed to be with when to start things off.. I was told by many growers that I had started things off too early . Yet I only followed the growing instructions.. So when is the best time to start seeds off. I am getting ansy about growing stuff and want to get started asp.. cheers btw all my toms got off to a cracking start then they all got blight and were no good. would like to get some this year along with the likes of peppers too. 

[JayG]

It would be a bit of an understatement to say that starting things off too early is a frequent topic on this forum!

Three things make a difference: where you live (in your case quite northerly), whether you have the means to germinate and then speed up or slow down plants which need it, (windowsills, greenhouse, etc) and the third of course is luck with the weather. ( )

The usual advice is to follow the sowing instructions on the seed packet; if there is a wide range of recommended sowing times then go for something nearer the middle (it's been mentioned here very recently that parsnips are very reluctant to germinate outdoors in February and I would certainly agree with that.

Playing safe is your best plan to avoid disappointment. 

[mumofstig]

I'm going to lock this now, as potty has asked her question again on the too early thread, but I don't think it would make sense to merge the 2

http://chat.allotment-garden.org/index.php?topic=71548.msg817490#msg817490