What I Grow in my Polytunnel

[JennieAtkinson]

Ric in another post indicated that he had two large polytunnels and I thought it would be useful to find out what others grow in theirs. I did give a list elsewhere when extolling the virtues of my polytunnel, but I'll go again to start this off!

during the summer - carrots, french beans, borlotti beans, runner beans, courgettes, cucumbers, chard, garlic, peas, many types of lettuce, herbs (oregano, mint, parsley, thyme and rosemary), tomatoes (three types), spring onions and radish (also clematis as I think they are beautiful but they don't grow outside very well here)

during the winter - chard, leeks, winter lettuce and cabbage

It is kinda bursting at the seams in the summer!

Jennie

[ric]

we grow a lot of strawberries,picked a few on april 30th (my birthday) last year and were picking through till september. harvesting pac choi and mitzuma at the moment, there are a few dandelions that will have edible leaves soon, same with some overwintered beetroot. there are also the stumps from the last of last years greyhound cabbages which should soon throw up some spring greens. have started a few broad beans, lettuce, spring onions, raddish, carrots, cabbage and beetroot . soon be starting a few early peas. nearly forgot there are some primo cabbages that were started late last year and are now about 6 inches tall, theres a bit of landcress that seems to be perennial. we will soon be getting a flush of chickweed which is good in salads. then it will be the usual summer stuff toms, cuecumbers, melon, courgettte, pumpkin, peppers etc.
basically its early and late crops of the common garden veg and sumer crops of the heat lovers.

french beans have not been a sucess they dont seem to like the heat in june.

[KATHY]

Hi, Jenni,
(See my post on mice!) I only got a few paltry Pak Choi Leaves all winter! never thought of putting leeks the polytunnel! Thanks for the idea. As for the mice...am now shopping around for a battery powered scarer that won't upset my geriatric dog. Bought a deluxe electronic one for the house though! Was really interested in all the ideas about slugs as they work in league with the mice around us.

[JennieAtkinson]

Hi Kathy
I don't seem to have any trouble with mice in the polytunnel - is it just a winter problem for you? I took in a couple of lettuces yesterday and they were full of tiny slugs, so will have to do something about them. Let us know what works for you. Can't see the little ones going for beer somehow, but I could be mistaken.

I put the leeks in a raised bed, they are only growing slowly, but I would say no more slower than the ones in the garden. Last year I grew everything both outside and in the polytunnel to see what worked. It was quite surprising!

Jennie

[nick the grief]

Hi Kathy
.... I took in a couple of lettuces yesterday and they were full of tiny slugs, so will have to do something about them.

Think of them as extra protein Jenny

[ric]

if the french eat snails its not a great jump to slugs!! after an hour in the tunnel "helping" give the strawberries their anual trim the eleven year old demanded to know how to extract dna to enable her to cross a strawberry with an onion!! should i blame the telly or the school ?

[nick the grief]

Take her to one side and explain the dangers of GM foods, if that doesn't work hit her