Ideas of what to grow in pots??

[hamsterqueen]

My sister is bringing me 24 Morrison flower buckets at the weekend (we can;t resist a bargain) I was going to use them for potatoes next year but it seems a waste them sitting idle until Spring.

Any ides what I could grow in them at this time of year?

3 potato plants in a slightly shady spot due to be dug up in net 6 weeks or so, maybe something which I can use in that space would be good..

all polite suggestions gratefully received

[doozer]

Pot savey

Hello hamsterqueen,

i'm still green to all this, so feel free to be weary of my advice but...I was gonna plant some 'second crop' potatoes in pots right now, apparently to get some for Christmas day. Also some pots of carrots.

My problem is...what potatoes to grow! Also, I only have room to plant I'm guessing 2-3 seed potatoes in the pot I have, but only seem to be able to buy 2kilos at a time!

Also...so I heard, the odd squash should be OK too.

Good luck - I'm going to keep an eye on this for inspiration too!

[SlugLobber]

What about sowing some peas? Not to late to start those, I don't think!

[RobintheBobin]

You could probably squeeze in some french beans - Rocquencourt are a hardy yellow dwarf. How about some lettuce - I have struggled with niche 'salad leaves' but found 'proper' lettuce does well in buckets. How about some dwarf broadies such as The Sutton - plant them in August to grow slowly over the winter for early crops next year. How about overwintering garlic and some onions, etc? I know it is not immediate veg for this year but good to get it started.

Hope this helps
x

[stevemac]

Doozer

I posted the following thread a few weeks ago

http://www.growfruitandveg.co.uk/gra...buy_20242.html

i bought a pack of charlotte potatoes from tesco (85p special offer is still on in store) and have planted some out.Not much to lose if it does'nt work.

[hamsterqueen]

Thanks I like the idea of the broad beans and carrots especially and garlic.

I've always grown my veggies in conventional rows but this year experimented with raised beds, paths round small beds and potato bags as I don't think my back will be able to take the digging any more. I have been SO impressed with the results. I keep trying to convert people!

[smc999]

Carrots, cabbage, broccoli, leeks, onions and any salad crop should still be ok to plant up.

[Winged one]

I was going to suggest peas, mangetout, french beans (dwarf), carrots, salad leaves, rocket, spring onions, spuds for Christmas and some beetroot (I don't think it's too late for that). Maybe some turnips too for baby ones (thinking of Christmas again probably!!).

[nilling]

+1 for spuds

I would drill drainage holes 1" from the base and fill with stones which should prevent the bucket from drying out too quickly

[markwcel]

wouldnt have thought the morrison flower buckets big enough for spuds....i got loads planted with carrots beetroot and salad leaves and loads of different herbs n strawberries

[Nelly]

I'm growing all my veg (and there's loads of it) on a cobbled patio area in raised beds and tubs. Swiss chard grows really well in a tub and looks fantastic. I've eaten loads of the stuff (big leaves cooked and little ones in salad). That's what's going in my emptied tubs! Need to know I have supplies for the winter... Also going to try another batch of spuds and some more beetroot.

[hamsterqueen]

I think I may have to ask her to bring more at this rate!!

What's the best variety of carrots to plant now?

[adamski20]

I've been growing sweetcorn in a big pot (about 30cm diameter), 3 plants to the pot. It is doing pretty well and looks like it will be ready for croping in a couple more weeks. Don't know if it is too late to plant a new batch though.

[Jimmy]

All herbs + mint
A courgette plant
Jim

[Winged one]

HQ, for carrots, you want "stump rooted" varieties, not long rooted ones. I have a few early nantes, and a few of another variety (which I lost the pack of sorry) which are doing ok, but possibly just a little long for the job - I am happy eating them, but if I had gotten stumpy's I might be able to let them get bigger than babies. Next year, I will be ordering specifically stumpy ones, I know I have seen a couple of ones in the various catalogues, including one which was basically a ball rather than a "cone" shape.

My baby sis, who just moved home from the Continent, was over last night and asking about what to grow in pots herself as the cost of food is so high here and she only has access to an apartment balcony where she is renting - so I will be taking my own and other's advice from here for her (and no doubt, giving her seeds and everything too!!).