[scotty]

Hi, sure you have all heard this before....i'm a beginner and new to veg and fruit growing, i do believe this coming year will be a very steep learning curve. read as much as i can, but most info for seeding,planting etc is all based on the south timings. can anyone advise on good old scottish timings? and yes as i write we do have snow on the ground!

cheers

[Celtic Eagle]

Hi Scotty

Welcome to the forums

Right about 1 thing mate it will be a steep learning curve. But remember this is a hobby don't let it become a chore Learn a bit do a bit . I've been gardening for over 30 years and still learning .

Scottish timing I can't help with but somebody will know. at a rough guess 3 to 4 weeks behind maybe

Good luck and have fun

[rictic]

Hello.
First of all you have found an excellent site that is full of grerat advice and information, don't be afraid to ask questions no matter how basic.
My advice from one (fairly new) allotment holder to another would be, do what it says on the label and keep it simple.
Enjoy.
Keep the faith.
Rictic.

[puravida]

I'd wholeheartedly agree with these two - step by step, bit by bit.

And it's amazing how much you'll learn from just throwing a few seeds in the ground and seeing what happens. Sometimes it works and sometimes it doesn't.

I've finally made that crucial mental step to accepting this will never be a 'complete' project!

Always evolving, always something needs doing or digging, or researching or planting.

[Yorkie]

The timings in John's book and on the info pages of this site are based on the middle of the country e.g. Cheshire - so I'd add a couple of weeks or so onto those timings.  With experience, you'll get a feel for whether the soil is still too cold - perhaps worth investing in a soil thermometer for a couple of quid.

[vegmandan]

Hi, sure you have all heard this before....i'm a beginner and new to veg and fruit growing, i do believe this coming year will be a very steep learning curve. read as much as i can, but most info for seeding,planting etc is all based on the south timings. can anyone advise on good old scottish timings? and yes as i write we do have snow on the ground!

cheers

I know what you mean about Southern planting times and certain books taking this to be the norm.

I basically reckon that for every 100 miles north of Cornwall you are , you should be about a week later /100 miles in sowing.

I see folks on here from the South sowing lettuce in March and I can't believe it,my ground is still frozen solid. :shock:

I'm a good month behind  the South and am about 400 miles North of them

But really It's just a matter of not sowing frost tender stuff until the risk of frost has passed as they emerge.

It's a complete pain 'cos you're chomping at the bit to get stuff sown but if you do it too early then It just dies anyway.

There's nothing to be gained from planting really early as It'll just sit there in cold soil not doing much and probably suffer from the cold.

It's all about holding fire until it's the right time.

Having said that I still always sow my lettuce far too early every year just to get going,but I just can't wait to get going.

[scotty]

thanks everyone for replies. all very helpful, i am chomping at the bit to start but the ground is either frozen solid or water logged.

have made raised beds as the soil is clay and poor. also have an endless source of well rotted horse manure as we have a livery yard, and finally i have put up a poly tunnel but can't get the plastic on yet because never seem to have a dry non-windy day! :cry:

i'm sure i will loads of silly questions to come!

cheers

[matron]

All silly questions welcome Scotty because you can be sure that there are many of us sat here wishing we had the courage to ask them.    
Welcome by the way.  

[horsepooisgood]

Welcome to the forums Scotty and good luck with it all.