Pardon me if you know all about the VSR but I thought it worth mentioning for those of you (like Lumpy) who want to maximise return from a small growing space.
Joy Larkcom devised the "Value for Space Rating (VSR)" as an attempt to evaluate which vegetables would give the best return in a small garden.
In calculating the VSR she used 2 principal factors :-
The length of time the veg is in the soil before it can be eaten or harvested
The approximate number of helpings yielded per sq. metre/yard under average conditions.
So quick growing, high-yielding veg score most points and slower growing, lower-yielding veg fewer points.
Additional points are given for:-
Veg that are available fresh in winter and in times of scarcity
veg that are of far better quality when homegrown
veg that are difficult or expensive to buy.
She then rates every veg on a 1*-4* scale, with **** giving exceptionally high returns.
4* - Oriental saladini and Rocket on a Cut and Come again basis (CCA). Bean sprouts, mustard, rape and cress are available year round.
3* veg -
Amaranth
Beans, French & Runner
Beetroot, salad
Broccoli raab
Carrots, early & maincrop
Chicory - Sugar loaf
Corn salad
Komatsuna
Lettuce - summer/outdoor
Mizuna
Mustard - green in the snow type
Pak choi
Peppers,sweet
Potatoes, early
Purslane, winter
Radish, summer
Senposai
Spinach beet (CCA)
Swiss chard
Texsel greens (CCA)
Turnip, roots
Interestingly, most of the traditional veg like onions & leeks, cabbage and squashes don't make it.
What do you think? Has she overlooked any quick and easy veggies?
Joy Larkcom devised the "Value for Space Rating (VSR)" as an attempt to evaluate which vegetables would give the best return in a small garden.
In calculating the VSR she used 2 principal factors :-
The length of time the veg is in the soil before it can be eaten or harvested
The approximate number of helpings yielded per sq. metre/yard under average conditions.
So quick growing, high-yielding veg score most points and slower growing, lower-yielding veg fewer points.
Additional points are given for:-
Veg that are available fresh in winter and in times of scarcity
veg that are of far better quality when homegrown
veg that are difficult or expensive to buy.
She then rates every veg on a 1*-4* scale, with **** giving exceptionally high returns.
4* - Oriental saladini and Rocket on a Cut and Come again basis (CCA). Bean sprouts, mustard, rape and cress are available year round.
3* veg -
Amaranth
Beans, French & Runner
Beetroot, salad
Broccoli raab
Carrots, early & maincrop
Chicory - Sugar loaf
Corn salad
Komatsuna
Lettuce - summer/outdoor
Mizuna
Mustard - green in the snow type
Pak choi
Peppers,sweet
Potatoes, early
Purslane, winter
Radish, summer
Senposai
Spinach beet (CCA)
Swiss chard
Texsel greens (CCA)
Turnip, roots
Interestingly, most of the traditional veg like onions & leeks, cabbage and squashes don't make it.
What do you think? Has she overlooked any quick and easy veggies?
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