Early Croppers - 'Gold Varieties'

[moggssue]

Following on from the success of the 'gold standard' thread last year I would be interested to know if any of you now have anything to add to that, in terms of what cropped well/early so far this year?

I've been seeing lots of varieties of all sorts of veg claiming to be good for an early crop - but how did they fare in reality? While its still fresh in your memory (and on your plate?!) do you have any recommendations?

[zazen999]

Hi

Yes I can.

Aurora tomatoes from Real Seed.

Sown 8th Jan
First tomato ripened enough to eat on 8th June.

I only sowed a few in Jan, and looked after/potted on the biggest. It went out the last week in May into my courtyard; but it had been outside for a month before that [and was taken in whenever there were heavy winds].

The taste is lovely, and we have picked 5 so far; another is ready today and it has another 4 that are turning.

When I get the greenhouse hopefully later this year, this will be my first choice; plus you can save these seeds as they are true [not F1s so will grow the same plant next year].

[moggssue]

Thanks Zazen - duly noted for next year!

I'm determined to have crops on the go for longer next year (this year I'm only just starting to get anything!). Anyone else got any recommendations?

[Cutecumber]

Yup, I have

]Mayflower cauliflower - Sown end of January in greenhouse, put outside at the end of March, protected with fleece. Harvested end May into June. Grew steadily, no problems with pests, produce a decent head.

Amsterdam Forcing carrot - Sown end of January in pots, kept in greenhouse until April. Harvested in several goes, most at end of April and into May.

Little Gem and Salad Bowl lettuce - sown in February, leaves of Salad Bowl picked as it grew, from April onwards. Mature Little Gem ready beginning May.

Advantage Cabbage - Sown beginning February. Hearted up ready to pick by beginning of May. Treated like cauliflower above.

[Flummery]

I sowed Black Tuscany kale in early March I think (should have checked back before posting! ) and we've been eating outer leaves selectively for about 2 weeks now. It also looks like my Golden Sunrise tomato is going to be the first to ripen. It certainly was first to set fruits, which are quite large now. There are fruits on greenhouse and outdoor ones - though the greenhouse ones are further on. I'll let you know what they taste like later though - that's my main criterion for tomato growing!