The Annual Appraisal and Stocktake 2018-19

[Jimny14]

Might try mangetout next year HC just having a break this year. Depends how everything else performs as I only have very limited bed space (6x12')

[Bren In Pots]

I've stopped growing leeks this year mine never seem to grow very big and take up bed space instead ive sown more chard instead.

[mothhawk]

I haven't planted early potatoes this year. my veg patch is so tiny they are not really worth the space and length of time they are in the ground, delicious as they truly are.

That being said, I'm having a lazy veg year this year with VC's mix-and-chuck plan, and in the middle of this, probably where I would have put potatoes, I have a large patch of calendulas.

And two volunteer potatoes in flower among the rest of the mix-and-chuck, so I'm destined to have home grown spuds anyway.

[4Shoes]

Has to be climbing beans - Get them going, harden them off and plant them out. Without fail, a strong wind strips them of any leaves and they look like a dried up vine for the next month. Then perhaps if lucky get a few beans.

[HoneyChild]

Reluctantly I might need to get rid of kales. They need to be netted otherwise all the various wildlife eat them before I get a chance. I really don't want nets all over my garden. Plus my partner doesn't like them, even the ones I pick when young.

[annie8]

Like the idea of reviewing now. Am trying carrots for the third time and am thinking if they don't work this year I'm giving up with them. Might also not bother with peppers and jalapeños & Chilli's unless I get a decent crop. Love beetroot and salad but I need to put them in a less sunny bed next year. Might also just do peas next year rather than broad beans too as I am getting a better return. Am going to give up trying to grow some herbs from seeds, especially chives and coriander, I have no luck with that. Better if i buy a plant and stick it in the ground. Did that with parsley and sage this year and they are looking great. Also struggled to grow leeks from seed before, but bought some plants this year at a local garden sale ad they are looking good so will try that again.

[mothhawk]

Tomatoes - they really do need to be in a GH, outdoor ones most years take so long to ripen that they are tough skinned and flavourless.

Naturally the year I decide not to grow them we're in the middle of the hottest June for decades.....

[self-contained]

Yes, I'm with mothhawk. My outdoor tomatoes last year took up a huge amount of space (they were my biggest crop) and were a massive time investment (potting on, watering, feeding, etc.) but then weren't particularly worth it. So, no tomatoes this year, but I was given some seeds that I will try on a smaller scale next year. I'll probably aim for just 3 or 4 plants.

In terms of things I am growing this year, I think I may be done with radishes and turnips. I don't get a consistent enough crop of good radishes to keep me supplied so I think I'll go back to supermarket ones. The turnips take up a lot of space and aren't very exciting. Last year, I ate a lot of radish and turnip tops (cooked) but this year I have grown a more interesting variety of tastier greens and the radish/turnip tops just aren't appealing. I'm somewhat tempted to just go out and pull up my remaining turnips and radishes, use the greens as mulch, feed the roots to my worms, and plant better crops in the compost/containers that will be freed up.

[SarrissUK]

I have forever given up broad beans and runner beans, because I really don't like either lol
I also don't think I justify keeping my evergreen shrub, whatever it is, as it shades the greenhouse and too much of the growing plot in my little garden. It grows like mad, so need pruning back every year and the cuttings take too long to compost down. It needs to be gone, but I dread digging it out.
I don't need to worry about the asparagus that has performed so very poorly the last couple of years - it died off on its own lol

[bramble]

I have decided to give up growing peas.
I love them but can't justify the space they take up.
Also won't grow onions as they are so inexpensive to buy.
We have a decking area and a shed for OH.
My greenhouse also takes up some space and after that it's devided up for flowers and veg.

[veggiechicken]

Any more thoughts on what's in or out for 2019?

I've said this before (and ignored myself ) but sweetcorn is out. Its grown, it has cobs - but they're only fit for the chooks (the feathered ones - not me).

[Small pumpkin]

Because of developments ( or maybe not ) I may be down sizing all my growing next year !!!!
What ever happens pea beans and Turks turban are still out.
A lot less squash and sprouts, no sweet corn, no cucamelons.

[Jay-ell]

Giant pumpkins are out - they take up far too much room and having massive pumpkins to prepare is a hassle.

I'm going with bush pumpkins and winter squash instead. I've got Amazonka Pumpkin, Delicata Squash, Table King Acorn Squash, Gold Nugget Squash, Honey Bear Squash, Butterbush Squash and Pumpkin Casperita.

These have a spacing of 2-3 foot each and grow more like a courgette producing 3-6 fruits per plant. Space wise between the 2 plots and greenhouse I should have enough beds for 14 plants, rather than the 3 Atlantic Giants.

This should give about 40 - 50 small portion sized pumpkins and squashes that will be easier to cook and look good stored in a basket on the kitchen dresser.

Should be able to try making original pumpkin pie as well - do you know how much custard you need to fill a giant pumpkin.

[Lumpy]

Brocali Raab is out as the slugs are faster than I am.

Anything with a root bigger than a ping pong.

Anything with a head bigger than a football.

Whey hey I'm beginning to sound like an athelete....................................

[bikermike]

Most things have relatively speaking behaved themselves, save for
peas - moth - plan to net them for the critical period next year
courgettes - slugs - move and use more defences
beetroot - too dry - water more, hope that it rains more.