[strangerachael]

I've just looked at the BBC weather 'monthly outlook' section and it says there is not much chance of an improvement in the weather at least for the first half of March.   
I am chitting my potatoes based on planting them out at the end of March, now I'm wondering whether I should leave it later than this as the soil will not have warmed up much/at all by then. Do potatoes need to be planted into warmed ground? When's everyone else planning on planting?

[Y.E.A.H]

don't worry  the weather people are often wrong 

[fatbelly]

don't worry  the weather people are often wrong 

They are usually wrong when they predict good weather, its the bad weather they get right 

[mumofstig]

My spuds should be going in on about 17th march (st patrick's day).....but.......I'll just wait and see what the weather is doing then

Obviously you don't want to plant in freezing soil, but it's what the weather is doing when they finally show above ground that is the clincher.

If you have some  you could warm up the soil with polysheeting, or fleece, to make sure the earlies get planted when you want

[aelf]

There was talk the other month of the BBC dropping the Met Office because their forecasts were so completely wrong.

Let's wait n see... 

[Salmo]

One of the reasons for chitting is that you start the potatoes life clock. If you have chitted and need to wait a week or so to plant the clock still keeps on ticking and bulking  up will not be delayed.

[PAULW]

First early's already in the ground, soil ridged up waiting to cover with straw, when the ground is warm enough the spuds will start growing just like the vollunteers, will put the rest in when it stops raining

[johnfh]

Nature seems to have a way of catching up with itself over a few months. So here's hoping for a lovely spring. It certainly feels overdue and it seems we have been luckier than most here in the soft south!

[BostonInbred]

One of the reasons for chitting is that you start the potatoes life clock. If you have chitted and need to wait a week or so to plant the clock still keeps on ticking and bulking  up will not be delayed.

Yes, I Accuweather, they have been much more accurate than the Met Office for the last year

http://www.accuweather.com/

[DavidT]

First early's already in the ground, soil ridged up waiting to cover with straw, when the ground is warm enough the spuds will start growing just like the vollunteers, will put the rest in when it stops raining

Paul why are your FIRST EARLIES already planted?

[Cavolo Nero]

Mine are going in when my blue danubes arrive ready chitted from t&m, come rain or shine!

[DavidT]

But, earlies don`t go in early. for goodness sake. :blink:

[craggy]

First early's already in the ground, soil ridged up waiting to cover with straw, when the ground is warm enough the spuds will start growing just like the vollunteers, will put the rest in when it stops raining

don,t

[mumofstig]

But, earlies don`t go in early. for goodness sake. :blink:

why not, especially if you live in poole ?   Mine should be going in in 3 weeks time and Paulw's climate is a lot warmer than here

[craggy]

But, earlies don`t go in early. for goodness sake. :blink:

why not, especially if you live in poole ?   Mine should be going in in 3 weeks time and Paulw's climate is a lot warmer than here

the trouble starts when they are up.we can get frost right up to may.