What to grow this late on?

[organic_gibbo]

Hi guys, just took over my first allotment! While waiting on the guys I was wondering if I could have some advice of what I could start to grow this late on? I have a few cabbages and onions repotted on but that is all so far!

Many thanks!

[self-contained]

I'm pretty new to this too, but I would have thought you could grow any of the things I'm still succession sowing: Beetroot, lettuce (summer lettuce now I presume, so they don't bolt, though my winter lettuce are still happy in a spot with afternoon shade), kale, rocket, chicory, radishes, spring onions, red mustard... I'm sure there's more!

[nickdub]

In addition to those mentioned already, French beans, early peas for cropping this year - also a good time to put out some purple sprouting broccoli and leeks for this winter/next year if you can cadge/buy some plants.

[Bren In Pots]

Congrats on getting your plot

For ideas on what to do now have a read at these 3 threads like self contained says theres lots to still sow.

https://growfruitandveg.co.uk/grapev...8-a_95467.html

https://growfruitandveg.co.uk/grapev...ml#post1603779

https://growfruitandveg.co.uk/grapev...ml#post1603534

hope this helps.

[burnie]

Welcome OG, not a bad time to be thinking about soft fruit going forward for next year, Strawbs, currants, Rasps etc, also hebs and things like Florence Fennel

[organic_gibbo]

Thanks guys! Plenty to get on with then! To late for carrots and spuds?

[veggiechicken]

Congrats on your plot, Gibbo.
I'm still sowing carrots and I'm sure you could still sow some spuds - more sensible heads than mine may tell you otherwise.

[nickdub]

Thanks guys! Plenty to get on with then! To late for carrots and spuds?

I'd pass on the spuds, as late in the season blight is always a problem unless you have somewhere under cover to put them, like a poly-tunnel. Carrots are certainly possible but by no means easy, unless you have the ideal soil. If you fancy carrots then a container is probably most likely to give good results - either a large deep pot or similar, at a push a grow-bag folded in half and cut to make 2 "pots" will do.

[ESBkevin]

All good as suggested so far. In your spare time (?) start collecting materials for composting and mulching, you will never have enough of either and at the start it is the thing you need most even if you don't quite recognise it yet. Building soil health takes time, so start yesterday. Oh and congrats on getting a plot.

[Thelma Sanders]

This weekend I sowed Early Purple Sprouting broccoli, Tundra winter cabbage, some red cabbage, Pentland Brig kale, a couple of courgettes for succession, some mangetout peas and some dwarf green beans to go in any gaps.

In July I'll sow my Duncan spring cabbage and Autumn King Carrots in the old recycling boxes.

Lettuce/salad leaves mix gets sown a every few weeks through the year (If I remember to )

[Chestnut]

French and runner beans, swede, turnip, beetroot, winter cabbage, spinach beet/chard.
In a few months time, overwintering garlic and broad beans, then rhubarb/soft fruit/fruit trees can all go in during the autumn. What do you like eating?

[keat63]

Can't go wrong with beetroot. Raddish will give a quick crop, just sow every 2 weeks.
The pidgeons got at my Brasicca and swede, so we have a few seedlings coming alone to replenish.

[Nicos]

Hi there, and Many congrats on the plot!

Loads of suggestions there^^^^^
Don't dismiss the idea of buying in a few plug plants too from garden centres/plant nurseries, but as the others have said, do concentrate on your soil quality -you can't get out what you don't put on, and that starts with the soil

[organic_gibbo]

Lots to go on there to get me started, thank you all! We have access to top soil to fill raised beds, is that adequate for now or will I need to mix it with compost?

[nickdub]

Lots to go on there to get me started, thank you all! We have access to top soil to fill raised beds, is that adequate for now or will I need to mix it with compost?

Top soil should be fine - if you have home made compost too, then all the better. If its not too much work I'd advise skimming off the top 2" or so of soil before doing anything-else and setting that to one side. Next put in the walls for your beds, then fill with top-soil or whatever - finally put the skimmed layer that you set aside, back on top.

This approach maximizes the fertility available to the plants and should give the best results in terms of soil structure.