Vegetables and Cloches - Seed Sowing Dates

Seed Sowing Dates

Beetroot
The earliest date for sowing beetroot with cloche protection is mid March . Place the cloches in position a few weeks earlier to warm up the soil. If you sow beetroot any earlier than this they will not be tender when picked. The round varieties if beetroot are better for early and late sowing than the long varieties.

For more information on sowing and growing beetroot, click here .

Cabbage (Spring)
Sow Spring Cabbage seed without cloche cover in late July . Cover with cloches in mid October . Remove the cloches in mid March .

For more information on sowing and growing spring cabbage, click here .

Carrots
For an earlier crop than normal, place the cloches in position a couple of weeks before sowing. Sow the carrot seed under cloche protection in mid October . Use an early maturing carrot such as Nantes.

For more information on sowing and growing carrots, click here .

Self Blanching Celery
Sow the seeds indoors or under medium heat in mid October and transplant them to their final position in mid April . The cloches should be in position a couple of weeks before transplanting to warm up the soil. Remove the cloches in mid-June.

French Beans and Runner Beans
Both crops are treated in exactly the same way and both produce earlier crops than normal. Sow under cloche protection (or transplant after sowing indoors) in mid April and remove the cloches about four weeks later when the foliage starts to touch the roof of the cloche.

For more information on sowing and growing French beans, click here , and for runner beans click here .

Lettuce
A great crop for growing under cloches early or late in the season. Place the cloches in position in early October and then sow two weeks later. Leave the cloches over the lettuce and you will have tasty lettuce in early March the next year. Keep the lettuces well ventilated if the weather warms in the Spring. Use a variety that is suitable for sowing in the Autumn such as Arctic King.

For more information on sowing and growing lettuce, click here .

Peas
If you like fresh peas then a cloche is a 'must'! Place the cloches in position in early January to warm up the soil. Sow the seeds two weeks later under the cloche protection. Remove the cloches when the peas start to touch the roof of the cloche. Use an early variety such as Feltham First.

For more information on sowing and growing peas, click here .

Click on the link below for advice on growing more vegetables under cloches or click here to buy a cloche online from our recommended suppliers.