What can I plant now.

[Martin B]

Hi,
I haven't been on here much recently. However I'm 15 and I have had my own allotment in Alcester, Warks since May 2007. I'm managing to provide enough veg to feed us every day (lettuce, beetroot, carrots, potatoes, runners, dwarf beans, broad beans, peas etc.)
As it is my first year I am not sure of what I can put in the ground now (August/September) I have a greenhouse on the plot aswell if this helps?

Thankyou,
Martin

[heebiejeebie]

to overwinter:
spring cabbages
kale
japanese onions

for autumn/early winter
might not be too late for a few caulis?
more lettuce or corn salad
kohl rabi

[momol]

Apart from that, you can still sow all the oriental brassica (such as, pak soi, tat soi, mizuna, mibuna...mustard), carrot, radish,rapini...chard ( those that need 3 to 4 months to maturity and don't mind cool ) for the autumn or early winter harvest and for over wintering : kale, nero di toscano, chard, purple sprouting cauliflower, collards.

Cheers,
Momol

[Headfry]

Is it to late to sow kale?

[momol]

Hi Headfry,

I think now is really still the time ( kale for over wintering are sown around mid summer ) , give it a go

Momol

[mxnsilk]

Newbie too

Hi
I also want to put some veggies in now for over the winter. Can anyone suggest a seed supplier online? so far I've just bought at garden centres locally, but they don't always have things like kale, for example.

[moggssue]

This is my first year as well, so listen to those with more experience, but I've used Suttons seeds online with no problem at all this year mxnsilk.

For Martin - is it too late for a quick crop of french beans or courgettes?

[HeyWayne]

Hi
I also want to put some veggies in now for over the winter. Can anyone suggest a seed supplier online? so far I've just bought at garden centres locally, but they don't always have things like kale, for example.

As I mentioned in my other post - I received an email from Thompson & Morgan - they have a 3 day sale on at the moment, and I'm pretty sure kale was included.

[raine]

Heebiejeebie
did you say caulis? If so can i sow from seed or do i need plants. I've got all excited now!
Raine

[Snadger]

Heebiejeebie
did you say caulis? If so can i sow from seed or do i need plants. I've got all excited now!
Raine

I think cauli's can be sown up til September for heading in spring!

All Year Round is an aptly named suitable variety!

[jaykay]

Hi Martin

I really admire you, being 15 and having achieved so much so far! Well done! Hope your success continues next year.

I've just ordered some winter lettuce seeds, plus pak choi and winter radish and have sown spring cabbage, turnips, rocket, lambs lettuce and spinach yesterday. Why not have a go and see what happens?

Best wishes.

[Martin B]

Thanks for the suggestions everybody.

I went through my seed collection and found a few things that I can plant now. I've got turnips, caulis and spring cabbage, which will hopefully go in in the very near future.

Thanks for everything,
Martin

[TPeers]

Hi
I also want to put some veggies in now for over the winter. Can anyone suggest a seed supplier online? so far I've just bought at garden centres locally, but they don't always have things like kale, for example.

Heebiejeebie
did you say caulis? If so can i sow from seed or do i need plants. I've got all excited now!
Raine

Thanks for the suggestions everybody.

I went through my seed collection and found a few things that I can plant now. I've got turnips, caulis and spring cabbage, which will hopefully go in in the very near future.

Thanks for everything,
Martin

For all the above - should ones budget run to it, both Dobies and Rocket Gardens sell vegetable plug plants.

Dobies bundle stuff into large batches, 50 assorted brassicas for £10.95 or there abouts but Rocket let you chose what you want in batches of 10 of one type. I just got red cabbage, sprouts, kale and PSB seedlings - About the £10 + postage mark - the seedlings were ordered on Monday and arrived yesterday in good order (they needed a watering) the plants are all at the four true leaf stage and look ok.

Not everyones choice I know, but having lost all my crops to the torrential rain and ridiculously large slug population I needed something quick!


Dobies - www.dobies.co.uk
Rocket Gardens - www.rocketgardens.co.uk

Terry

[HKCambridge]

http://www.realseeds.co.uk/summersowing2.html

Real Seeds have a guide to summer sowing on their website.

[la cebolla grande]

Another option to plant now is Winter Radish (Mooli). Other than the name there is no similarity with the more familiar radishes. They grow very big, and can stay in the ground right through the worst of the winter. You can (if you are brave!) eat them raw although they are very hot indeed, but cut them up and use them in stews/casseroles etc much as you would use turnip or potato, and they have a delicious mild flavour when cooked.

The other 2 things I have planted now for use in winter is CornSalad - a perfect little ''lettuce substitute'' which again will take anything the weather will fling at it, and red Raddichio, which actually benefits from cold weather to temper its bitterness, and can be used in winter either as fresh salad stuff, or chopped up and cooked (fantastic in a baked omelette)

Hope thats given you more ideas!!

LCG