[wilj1]

I have some early potatoes (rocket) and would like to know the best time to plant them. Some books say early March and some late March so I am confused.

Also have shallots and onions sets so need to plant those soon?

[New shoot]

It can be very confusing, but I would say err on the late side this year.  The soil is wet and pretty cold.  The old adage about farmers knowing it was time to sow when they could drop their trousers and comfortably plonk their behinds into the soil still rings true.  I'm not suggesting you do this at the plot, but you get the idea  about how the soil would feel when it was ready  

There are hardly any weeds growing on my plot yet, so I don't think crops are going to thank me for being planted out early. 

[Aidy]

I used to sow mine the same time as an Irish gentleman on the plot next to mine, in with paddy, owt with billy!
By that you have guessed paddys day.
I then put a row the second weekend of April, guess which did better?
So I know I drink Guinness on paddys day and sow me spuds second weekend of April