Good News

[piggsy]

Hopefully in 2 weeks I should have an allotment the lovely chap phoned me tonight, I am very pleased but also worried as I have never had one before

Is there anything that I can grow this late in the year ?

I have been growing veg at home in pots and growbags which have been quite successful so far

[Alice]

Hello Piggsy and welcome to the Vine. Great news for you. Enjoy your lottie. Yes, there are things you could be growing now, and I don't doubt the experts will be along to tell you what. Don't know what state your lottie is in but you can always spend your time doing the groundwork this year. That always pays off. Good luck and enjoy.

[piggsy]

I am going to visit it next week, trying to plan a visit when my son is at pre-school so I can have some peace and a proper look

[Sebbster]

Congrats Piggsy,

Get some purple sprouting in smartish. In a few weeks you can set Japanese onions which will give you an early harvest.

Also try a courgette, should be ok and you should still get loads from it, but this really is the latest to plant.

You can also buy leeks, probably too late to sow, and get them in the ground.

Best of all, for winter veg, plant some Curly Kale, it is the hardiest of veg and will give you a great harvest. I dont grow endive but I think you can also grown this now.

Sow winter beetroot, sow some beetroot now, winter spinach.

Wow take your pick !

[clubroot]

hi piggsy new to this site myself. try speaking to your fellow plot holders have a good look at other plots and see what there growing japenese onions are great white and red but found the red don't keep as well . little and often is best don't try and do it all at in one go best off luck and happy gardening

[Paulottie]

Alice is right as ever: the best thing to do is prepare the land, a framework and kill weeds. but, if you are keen to see something growing...there are a few quick crops that grow well in autumn -particularly peas and lettuce-you could also plant autumn carrots and pak choi etc. now. I am still sowing beetroot and spring onions. Plus of course, the spring crops that have already been mentioned

good luck and welcome to the vine

[Sue]

Hi
welcome to the vine, don't know what your ground is like? but if you are impatient to grow things, you could try covering a small patch with cardboard and putting a raised bed filled with compost on top. Having run out of time this year to get the last of my raised beds in I resorted to doing this, gets a bit weedy but have been growing things without any problem.
You can still sow cabbages, kale, bunching onions, carrots, winter lettuce, landcress, lambs lettuce and long mooli style radishes.
Have a look round the farmer's markets - got some leeks there today and garden centres, as well as selling seeds half price now, may well have some plants left over, my branch of Wyevale has all the herbs, and some very large tomatoes, chillis and aubergines that are already fruiting, so you could get a crop from those.
Onions sets and garlic will go in from September, shallots too and after you've done all that (!) get some strawberry plants, you'd get a crop next year and it's wonderful to have too many strawberries.

But it's your allotment, you can go mad now, or do a little bit or just plan on getting the ground ready for next spring - but do clear a little space for sitting down and contemplating...
have fun
Sue

[piggsy]

Thanks for the ideas, I have just spoke to the chap again and he says the plot is very overgrown and is in need of alot of hard work so I don't think I will be planting until next year.

I think I will plant some curly kale and winter beetroot in my small veg patch at home, I already have loads and loads of lettuce in tubs

Where can I get winter beetroot seeds, haven't seen them around

[Sue]

Piggsy
Most veg catalogues have them, Dobies and Marshalls have just released their autumn catalogues and have autumn varieties in both
best wishes
Sue

[seasprout]

get youself a couple of nice books for reference... can recomend these...
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Allotment-Bo...3750173&sr=1-2

And this is new out.. http://www.amazon.co.uk/Your-Organic...4445958&sr=1-3

And for a relaxing read...http://www.amazon.co.uk/View-Shed-Se...4446132&sr=1-1

And.. http://www.amazon.co.uk/Diggers-Diar...4446177&sr=1-1

[piggsy]

I have just ordered the catalogue and thanks for the book links