Your top 5 "death resistant" plants...

[jxm]

Most of my fruit/veg has been eaten or killed by bugs/disease(/neglect...?) leaving nothing for me to eat - except chillies if they turn red before something gets them, and possibly grapes.

So my question is, what are the top 5 indoor/greenhouse fruits or veg that are most resistant to being killed by bugs, and something resilient of temperature/humidity/watering. I just want something I can put in a pot, water it and have it grow without to much hassle or carnage...

Preferably red spider mite resistant!!! the little buggers

[dexterdoglancashire]

Hi jxm - what a very good question! My only suggestion would be tatties - Ive grown a couple of varieties this year and they have done better than I expected.....look forward to hearing everyone else's ideas! dexterdog

[Alice]

Hello JXM, I think there is plenty but other people seem to have problems with pests and disease that I have been free from. But, you could try radish, Milan turnip, Carrots (Parmex) , Little Gem Lettuce, and taties in buckets. Charlotte did well, as did Red Rooster. Runner Beans (Enorma) have been great. If you've had a poor season don't be put off. There's always next year.

[nick the grief]

Hi JXM,

If yuor growing in pots/tubs you won't be able to just sit back anyway whatever you grow as you have a confined root run so have to feed etc. If you have borders in your greenhouse then this will help (or use John Innes No.3 instead of multipurpose compost ) as this will give you a bitt of a buffer againts things.

As to RSM (Red Spider Mite) they thrive in hot dry conditions so if you can damp down the paths to create a humid atmosphere it will help (go over the plants with a spray a couple of times a day if possible or spray once a week for 3 or 4 weks with some soapy water or rape seed oil) that should kill the little gits).

And finally, just keep trying. Next year it will be dull & wet probably & you won't have trouble with RSM but everything will be decimated by slugs

We never said it will be easy but it will be enjoyable .

"It's not the arriving but the journey to get there" or some sort of crap like that

[JennieAtkinson]

Every year is different JXM. Last year, despite loads of efforts I got virtually nothing as we had no sun, it was the greyest year on record! But this year is looking very good even though the summer weather has been very hit and miss.

Think I would have to agree with Dexterdog, potatoes seem to do well for little effort provided you grow them direct into the ground. I took Lesley's tip at the beginning of the year and earthed up when I planted the potatoes (got alot of tut tuts from my friend!) and have had to do nothing since. Digging up some nice Charlottes at the moment.

[Lesley Jay]

Oh Good!! I'm glad it worked Jennie. So many people think I am nuts doing that but it does save a lot of time.

[JennieAtkinson]

Certainly did Lesley - I have just left them all to get on with it.

[nick the grief]

I do the same thing Jennie & LJ, it was my friend who put me onto it.

I usually grow some lettuce in the bottom of the rows as well well spaced out so they are all clear before the potato tops shade them completely

[pickledtink]

To answer the op:
Mint. Chard. Thai Basil. Rocket.

Never failed. Not ever. Slugs. snails, weird blights and fungals, large animals, hurricanes, neglect....
They just don't care. These foodstuffs are tough. I fully expect that after the holocaust the surviving Cockroaches will still be able to get a nice salad together. Lack of good olive oil will be a tragedy obviously.

[Slug]

I don't have a greenhouse, so I can only comment on my fave outdoor plants. I only have 3 that I think are great - anything else has been a bit hit and miss. My fave 3 are runner beans, garlic and this year I've done courgettes and they are producing like a dream

[JennieAtkinson]

Where do you get your Thai Basil from Pickledtink? Sounds intersting and indestructable. I have problems with normal basil, although it is doing better this year than any other.

[Slug]

I have problems with normal basil too, so was going to look out for the Thai basil - since it's on Pickledtink's 'death resistant' list!!

[pickledtink]

Where do you get your Thai Basil from Pickledtink? Sounds intersting and indestructable. I have problems with normal basil, although it is doing better this year than any other.

It was just a packet of seed from Thompson and Morgan. Thai lime basil. It's lasted 4 years and there's still some left in the packet!
Germinates really quickly and as long as you keep pinching out the flower buds it goes on forever. It has a half bush habit a bit like some chilli types so is much sturdier than Italian. The slugs and snails don't seem to go for it after it's got past the tender seedling stage either.

Chicken or prawns stir fried with a handful of the leaves, cashew nuts, oyster sauce and chopped garlic is a super speedy authentic Thai dish.

[JennieAtkinson]

Sounds lovely Pickledtink! Got it on my seed list for next year. Thanks