When can I start planting things?

[RoganJosh]

I presume it would be stupid to buy perennials now? I have a huge list and am dying to get going. I've googled but there isn't much info beyond 'spring and autumn' or the odd 'anytime the ground isn't frozen'.
I'm only a beginner

I'd say it's too early (outside temp still rather chilly) but I'm no expert.

The Gardeners' World website has a 'What To Do Now' section with weekly checklists. I tried to skip ahead but the bullet points are overlapping on my phone display and I can't read them! I've reported the issue

Hopefully someone more experienced will be along to offer better advice!

That week by week guide is good, however it's showing planting perennials as 23rd March at the earliest. This is the wrong answer

If you can get into the ground, anything that is dormant now and is fully hardy would be fine.

The reason you usually plant them in autumn is to get them a bit of a head start in getting established, as they ground is still nice and warm from the summer and there is usually plenty of rain in the autumn.

But they then stop growing for the winter anyway.

Roses and other bare root shrubs would normally only be planted in the winter.

My favourite nurseryman's advice on planting out timing is 'whenever you can be arsed'. If you can buy it in a pot and the ground isn't frozen or boggy and you really really need to scratch the planting itch then go for it.

Most of what I want is evergreen so I suppose not dormant.

I might have a gentle nose round my local garden centre and just buy a few things next week or so. I'll need to do a big buy once I know what seeds haven't done anything.

I like your thinking, Purple

Depends where you live, I'm in a sheltered spot in Sussex with a south-facing garden. Very different to my friend on the moors in Yorkshire, my other friend in Elgin or my BIL in Tresco.

My kids asked if we can start this weekend! It's too cold ere in Devon but I've just had big order of seeds arrive and the kids are drawing up a garden plan of what they want to grow this year I've just got some potatoes starting to chit on the side. It was my first year last year with our new large garden so I went mad and planted too many things next to each other and lost lots to bugs so this year I'm going to try be more organised about which veg we plant and weed out more.

I forgot to say several of the seeds said we could start in February indoors to start them off. So have a look at what you like and see if you have windowsill space to starts some stuff off.

1/3 of my seeds are good to go in feb, I'm itching to get on with those too! I've got some overwintering in the garage under lights and some more under a transparent ikea box cold frame!
The garden is sheltered but in Yorkshire.