Too late / early to sow?

[MAD87]

I have various unopened seed packets, some of which I should have sown in the last few weeks, some are theoretically too early to sow.
Given the sudden August temperatures, should I throw out the books, empty all packets into the ground and pour another glass of plonk?

[Bayleaf]

Seed packets of what?

We were late with some of our's, so slow starters - but we're really fortunate to have spring water, so can liberally water things to keep the ground moist (well, she says that, but will be going to the regard tomorrow morning with strimmer and waterproof gloves, as those pesky nettle roots are finding their way in again, with the mission of trying to stop our supply!)

Depends what you've got MAD? As we say "they've got two chances!" Water them as much as you water yourself, and you might be doubly rewarded!!

[MAD87]

Chinese cabbage
Various lettuces
Courgettes - I had a dozen or so growing vigourously in pots. Before I could plant them out, they started turning yellow one by one. Same with the melon plants although they're surviving in the ground, just.
Aubergines & peppers - I grew lots from seed and then forgot to water the pots.... Will they ripen if sown directly now?

I'm a renowned ditherer.

Shrubs are so much easier than veg.

[Bayleaf]

Aren’t they just!

[niemeyjt]

Chinese Cabbages and Lettuce - it's not too late - you normally do successional sowing and any you plant now will just be late in season.

Courgette - if you still have seeds you can sow them outdoors now - though I normally prefer to sow in pots and transplant to protect seed against mice, at this time of year just stick them in the ground.

Aubergine and Peppers - they need longer and normally you sow indoors in Feb/Mar - so sowing outdoors is a long shot to say the least.

[Doug]

Well I've just sown, well last week some old cabbage seeds, which when I looked on the empty packets were dated 2012.
They've all come up and are already pricked out, its fast growing season.
What ever just plant them you won't lose more than if left in the packet.

[MAD87]

True enough, Doug.
It was perhaps a silly question.
Thanks everyone for the input.

[Bayleaf]

I put in a load of lettuce seeds several weeks ago (while it was still constant rain!), and nothing came up. Chucked down another load a week or so ago - now the soil has warmed up, and you can practically see them growing as you watch! So, should be no problem for them now (just remember to water liberally! ). We've gone for the perpetual harvest ones - so you just take off what you want for a salad that day, and give the remaining plant a thorough drenching so that it carries on growing new leaves.

Will be putting some kale seeds in next month.

Also just put out a second batch of tomatoes and peppers (bell and jalapeno) - they have two chances, depending on the season! Also, second batch of late peas are coming up, that were planted later than the packet advised.

Something'll happen! Bon chance!!

[MAD87]

Interesting, Bayleaf.
I'll sow some more lettuce for sure - plenty so far although I hadn't sown any as the compost clearly came from a market gardener - and I have an unopened packet of Kale so that can go in too.

I'm certain we're going to have to rethink fruit/veg gardening - the last 3 autumn / winters have been wetter and warmer (or less cold) than I've ever known here.

[Liz]

It's not too early for wily little bu**ers to nibble holes in leaves and the tops of two thirds of my chilli plants grrr