Varying planting times according to where and micro-climate.

My Potatoes

Elsewhere on the GPI forum there was some discussion on varying the planting times according to where you live and what your micro-climate is.

I've a pack of seeds that illustrates this.

It's Sutton's "Onion (Japanese) - Senshyu Semi-Globe Yellow". Yes, onion seed, not set.

There is the usual sowing and growing information on the back of the pack. At the end of this, in capital letters, it states:
SOW 2ND-3RD WEEK OF AUGUST IN MIDLANDS AND NORTHERN AREAS. AND END OF AUG EARLY SEP IN SOUTHERN AREAS. NOT SUITABLE FOR SOWING AT ANY OTHER TIME.

Just thought that some of you may be interested.

tagwex · Posted: Thu Aug 22, 2013 10:12 pm Post subject:

Ahh but where are those southern and northern areas? We discussed this before and you said that most seed packets on sale here are manufactured in the UK and could be six weeks out in their seasons to ours.

Gautama · Posted: Fri Aug 23, 2013 2:40 pm Post subject:

tippben · Posted: Fri Aug 23, 2013 4:25 pm Post subject:

In such a situation, having already bought the seeds, I'd sow some every two weeks from now until the end of september. Unless a very hard winter kills everything, the worst I could expect is small onions or (shock horror!) scallions. Sow 'em and be damned.

tagwex · Posted: Sat Aug 24, 2013 11:49 am Post subject:

@ Gautama:
I think you are missing the point. You need to check up on the previous conversation that my potatoes and myself were having.

My Potatoes

tagwex · Posted: Sat Aug 24, 2013 2:35 pm Post subject:

I had guessed that much my potatoes about the British geography having spent 28 years across the water. But my indirectly asked question was - can we, in Ireland, add 2-6 weeks to those sowing times on your onion packet as per your quotation from July 27th in 'Did you plant your potatoes early or late?' thread.

"Also, though 80% of what you need to know is on a seed packet, take into account that most of the seed packets we have in Ireland are produced in England, often in the south. Delay planting times accordingly by 2-6 weeks, depending on where in Ireland you are."

My Potatoes · Posted: Sat Aug 24, 2013 5:41 pm Post subject:

For a seed that may be planted, say, in April/May/June then the 2-6 week delay is acceptable. For a seed with a short four week window like this then a lot shorter delay, I reckon.

tagwex · Posted: Sat Aug 24, 2013 6:39 pm Post subject:

Well that makes sense now. Are you delving into a niche market for onions now my potatoes, you seem to have gone specialised!?