Sow outside in the south?

Hello, greetings from sunny Shoreham-by-Sea!

Is it too early to start sowing outside, bearing in mind the mild weather and location?

Thinking of, say, sunflowers, nasturtiums, salad leaves...

Thanks

Neil

 

Hi Neil....i'd say it was too early...there's still plenty of chance for a cold snap even though it does feel quite Spring like at the moment....i'd hold off a bit longer to be on the safe side....you could always start some off indoors

 

The soil is wet which means it'll be cold too.

Easiest way to tell if its warm enough is to drop your trousers and sit your bare bum on the soil.

If it makes you jump, it's too cold for seeds

 

Make sure the neighbours are not watching

 

Too early. Nasturtium seedlings will be wiped out in an instant if frost comes, and there's still plenty of time for that.

I don't think I'd ever sow sunflowers direct anyway, at any time of year, because the seeds are too popular with birds and the seedlings are too popular with slugs and snails.

I'd say start them indoors, and even then, I'd hold off on the nasturtium. It can't really safely go out until the start of May (maybe a bit earlier down south, but not much), and it grows very quickly, so unless you have plenty of room indoors, if you start them now they're going to struggle for space before its safe for them to go out.

 

It's an annual event down here, bit like that Bill Murray filum where they get the Ground Hog out of it's nest, the neighbours cluster round to see if Zigs bum will reject the cold soil, then they go back into their mud huts and drink Cider for a few more weeks

 

Tried that Zigs, didn't feel too bad, actually; I even have the cider, but saving that for the pork.

Thanks for the slightly more sensible suggestions; will hang fire, then.