[Novice]

....and today's question:
Should I be planting my onion and shallot sets now ? As well as parsnips from seed.
I want to make sure I don't miss a trick, as I'm never sure of making up the lottie every weekend at the moment ( 7 pubs to contend with and my various little soirees at home !! )

[Novice]

....sorry, I should have asked if anything else can go directly in from seed now ?

[John]

I'd hold back on the parsnips for at least a month but it's wet and cold in t'north.

I'd stick a cloche over the shallots as well. Have you got  any onions from seed started?

[Novice]

Thnaks John - I haven't done any onions from seeds, I bought several varieties of onion sets when I was out on Friday with my Father in Law ( before the 7 pub incident !! )
I've got some clear corrugated plastic which will serve me as cloches, and I'll pop the onions and shallots in on Friday, then cover them and block up each end.
Wow, it will start looking like a real allotment then.
Duly noted about the parsnips thanks.
I really must get the pallets from work, and build my compost heap too.
How about my potatoes, will they take long to chit ?

[John]

Don't worry about the potatoes - they'll be as far along as they are when it comes to planting time.

Watch out though, I've a feeling the winter isn't finished with us yet. Wouldn't be surprised to see some heavy snow before long. No basis for that - but strangely a few guys at the NVS meeting thought the same as well.

[Novice]

Yeah, I know what you mean about the weather..I've fallen into the trap of seeing a few milder days in Feb., and I'm already cleaning down the BBQ !!
Mind you, Groundhog day was cloudy, which apparantly is a good sign