Advice on late start to season

[AdrianW]

Hi all

Am new to site but just got my first allotment (5 rods). I've done a fair bit of veg gardening in the past but typically I'm well underway. A week ago I had 2 feet of weeds across the whole plot. A petrol strimmer and some glyphosphate has made a gd start on that, but I'm wondering what people would recommend planting this late in the season.

On my list were:
Runner beans (from plant) - thought I should be fine
Squashes (from plant) - might be ok
Main crop potatoes - suggestion from neighbour - I thought it too late, not sure who will still sell seeds
Kale (from plant) - if I can find some, should be fine
Garlic (from bulb) - should be fine
Sweetcorn (from plant) - think I'm late but might be lucky
Lettuce - assume I should be fine
Maybe some winter brassicas / spring greens

I'd really appreciate any other suggestions!

[Hans Mum]

Welcome & congratulations on your new plot. You're too late for garlic this year you'll plant it in autumn for next year. Think you might be too late for sweet corn too sorry.......spuds you might get depends on weather & where you are or try some for Christmas. Radish only takes a few weeks, runner beans you should just be about OK......others will be about to advise more

[Samurailord]

Hi and welcome to the Vine.

I started a new plot on July 8 last year which was in a similar state to yours, and I managed to successfully grow the following~:

Radish, salad leaves, Pak Choi, Turnip, leek, brussels, cabbage, kale, spinach, french beans, peas, swiss chard, courgette, pumpkin, nasturtiums, potatoes, leef beet, beetroot, tomatoes, chillis, spring onions, basil and carrots.

I could have grown more, the only thing that stopped me was getting my raised beds ready for planting.

Andy

Most were from seed, but some were from seedlings from the local garden centre

[rustylady]

Hi Adrian, welcome to the Vine.

What the others have said really. As for potatoes you don't want maincrop you want earlies. The difference between them is the time taken to grow, not the time of harvest. Earlies are ready in about 12 weeks from planting, maincrop can take around 20 weeks.

[AdrianW]

Thanks for the replies so far - some good tips and some hope for me at least!

[rustylady]

Whereabouts are you Adrian? If you add your location (nearest town) to your profile it will show on your posts. This helps a lot when giving advice. You can see I'm in Lowestoft.

[KevinM67]

Welcome Adrian,

If you have sprayed weedkiller all over, I'd be wary about growing anything this year.

I would focus on planning for next year - positioning beds, paths, fencing - constructing compost bins, fruit cages, etc.

Also, although it might sound a bit boring - I would also concentrate on the soil by at least getting some of the more 'intrusive' weeds out - weedkiller will only kill so much.

Not the most exciting post I guess - sorry.

[AdrianW]

Thanks RustyLady - I've added my location (Southampton) now!

Kevin - I appreciate what you're saying. I've been reliably informed that the weedkiller I used can be planted over the next day (I've never been quite that aggressive before but my father certainly has many times!). However, I'm generally taking the approach of digging the weeds out anyway - at least I know they're not growing (most are now dying back underneath black plastic) but as you say, the soil needs work and weedkiller isn't going to rid me of everything. I'm sure I've enough to fill my compost bin! Or at least I would be if I'd built it yet... Next week's project!

[Gadget]

I'm in the same boot as you, got my allotment last week. A useful post, thanks

[Compo72]

In this months grow your own magazine it gives a list of what can be sown .

In some planters . Last week, I sowed from seed beetroot, carrots , lettuce .
Plus some Rocket , that has already produced a few seedlings .

First time I have ever grown anything so a case of see how I go .

It is worthwhile checking out local garden centres .
Yesterday they had a season clearance on seed packets .
50% off cannot go wrong for next year !

Wife looked at me when I appeared with umpteen packets !

[The Allotment Shed]

I would go for 2nd early for spuds try Kestrel if you can find them.
Beetroot
Radish
Lettuce
Rocket
Spring onion
Turnip
Early carrots
Pal choi
French beans
All from seed

Plants
Cabbage
Kale
Cauli
Sweetcorn
Runner beans

In sure there's others, but that should give you some ideas

[KevinM67]

Just to add, some may consider it cheating but - there may be some shops (I'm thinking Wilkos, B&Q, etc.) That may be flogging cheap plants like tomatoes and strawberries.

At least they would already be started and you may get some produce this season.

[AdrianW]

Thanks all, much appreciated. I've ordered some spuds (couldn't find kestral but got a few varieties that are for late starts), a fellow allotmenteer kindly bought some kale for me while out at a good nursery, I've put in some runner beans in and will sow some dwarf french beans which are a quick crop. I also cheated and bought some large courgette plants from B&Q which are almost ready to crop - glorious summer weather! Someone donated some leeks but they've been in nothing but water for a while as I didn't have a bed clear for them. Might still put em in. Bed plans beginning to look pretty busy! Less than 2 weeks in on the new plot so still clearing the other beds.

[out in the cold]

Hi Adrian,

Welcome to the site.

Remember to net the brassicas! The birds love em, and there is nothing more soul destroying than seeing all the hard work you are putting in just now turn out to be for nothing.

Spuds are a worthwhile investment, as they will give s relatively big reward and help with the soil.

If you are looking at starting from seed, try The Real Seed Company. They have loads of very different stuff that are heritage varieties.