[Mark's Sussex Allotment]

Evening all?

What's the fastest first early that is worth growing?

I've heard rocket is fast, but is it tasty?

Also when realistically could you plant them outside and under glass/ poly?

I vaguely remember someone mentioning Good Friday?

[Aunt Sally]

Aaran Pilot - Yumptious

http://www.dundrynurseries.co.uk/plist.asp

[sunshineband]

Rocket by name and Rocket by nature.

Tastes OK, and good to get some really early too and eat them small. Incredibly prolific and sometimes I roast some too 

In bags under frost free cover, or the soil of polytunnels (again frost free) the date of plating depends on your whereabouts in the country.

Where I am, I plant them outside on St Patrick's Day (17th March) at the earliest, having warmed up the soil with black plastic for a few weeks before hand. After planting I keep a careful eye to make sure the top growth doesn't get frosted, and fleece if necessary if they are already well earthed up.
 
The date of Good Friday varies from year to year of course.

[mumofstig]

Casablanca - My plot mate's were lovely and quick off the mark
http://www.jbaseedpotatoes.co.uk/buy-seed-potatoes/first-early-seed-potatoes/casablanca-seed-potatoes

[3 allotments]

Swift can mature in as little as 60 days

[BabbyAnn]

I've grown Swift - and been impressed with it - but comparison early maturing really depends on your location and soil temperature.  Something is only quick off the mark if it is warm and the year I planted mine, we had lots of frosts after a mild (early) spring, followed by weeks of heavy rain so lack of decent sunshine after being earthed up and covered with fleece for so long.  The supposed 8 weeks stretched to 16 ..... but well worth it 

This year am giving them another try but I'll be planting some a little earlier in the greenhouse so they should be better protected and warmer than outside and hopefully get well ahead.

[Ashurstman]

Last year Sharpes Express was quicker for me and tasted great according to everybody who got some. I used fleece cloches to warm the soil and in view of the snow/frost it was after 17th March. They beat my neighbours Rocket which were planted earlier but just before the snow returned and not protected!
I suspect how soon they can used depends on the weather and if you protect them.

[3 allotments]

Just put some more swift in greenhouse 12 inches down hope to pull them end of march  to mid april  ;)fingers crossed and some unknown chitted spuds too,we still get frosts here in bridlington as late as may  :mad:so ill put fleece over them it worked for them last year

[alexroyall85]

I grow swift and bard and both have never failed me yet