Is it too late to start off some veg seeds

[StiffyByngsDogBartholomew]

I'm a very half hearted gardener but for the first summer in 3 years we don't have major renovation work going on all summer. So I thought I might grow a few veg. We used to allotment but I haven't done anything in a long time. I was thinking of mainly a few cherry/salad tomatoes, peppers and courgettes. I've also got a few packets of cosmos. Have I missed the boat to sow myself ? We are in a south west facing garden in Hastings

No, boat not missed.

I just started off some dill and basil today.

You are too late for peppers, but everything else is fine. I sowed my courgette seeds yesterday and even then thinking I am probably a bit early as it has been sooooo grey.

I think it's a very good time as frosts unlikely I hope! A wise gardening friend of mine said he liked to feel the soil and only sew seeds when it felt warm enough . I've always found it hard to resist planting a bit too early !

Peppers, get from a garden centre as plants but everything else can be sown now. I’ve not even sown any courgettes/squashes yet as they can’t go out for another 6 weeks. I’d imagine you could plant your plants out in about 4 weeks as you’re further down south.

This is all very encouraging ! What about runner beans ? Would I be too late and therefore better off to pick some up ready done ? Dh adore s them There are lots of people with plants stands outside their houses on my rather rural commute to work 😃

Runner beans tend to grow fast once germinated, and you wouldn't put them out until after the last frost date anyway. I'd go for it personally.

I've sown my tomatoes today as we don't have a greenhouse so, again, need the last frost to pass before they go outside.

Slightly early for runners. I’ll sow my French in the next couple of weeks, my runners in May. But I’m in Yorkshire, you may be able to sow runners a bit earlier

Your last frost date is late April, so anything down now should be safe enough.

I started everything in May last year and got bumper crops of most things - tomatoes, chillis, beans peas, courgettes etc. That was a little later than usual but I never start much before mid April as I have limited space inside and we can have frosts until mid May.