[barbarella]

think they wilted to nothing in the heat so leaving mine to be a little bigger this year - due to time restraints they will not be going anywhere for the next 3 weeks as the schools breaks up AGAIN!
Determined to water/soak them every day I keep hearing how thirsty they are!
Missy

And I've just heard that there is another heatwave on the way for the weekend which will last until at least half-term!

We've had hardly any rain since the beginning of April apart from a couple of days in early May which filled up the water butts, and the garden and allotment are bone dry.  It's such a chore watering, as we are not allowed to use hoses on the allotment - still at least it keeps the weeds and slugs at bay (my hostas have never looked so good!)

[Missy1970]

Heatwave again then mine are definately staying put so much easier to keep them watered here than on the plot - Celeriac is the hubby's fave so the pressure is on failed miserably last year

[Kristen]

The reason you start off early is that they will not stand over winter.

I've read that too, but can't say I've ever had a problem - even last year which was perishingly cold!

[barbarella]

I planted mine out today and checking in my allotment book it says to trim off sideshoots after planting.  At the moment my little plants have three shoots, one each side and a little growing point in the middle.  Am I supposed to cut off the shoots each side? - it seems a bit brutal at this stage.

[Kristen]

I don't think you should trim it until the older leaves start to look "tired" during the Summer.

[mumofstig]

mine says cut the sideshoots off when the bulb starts to swell. I certainly wouldn't do it to the seedlings  

[barbarella]

That's a relief