best veg to grow outside

[littlepooley]

Hi, I don't have a greenhouse, and I tried one of those plastic put-up greenhouses this year but with being on the top of a bank the wind destroyed it in no time!

I want to grow cucumbers, tomatoes and peppers next year - I tried this year but my cucumber died while quite young (bought it from b&q, can't remember the variety but it was an F1 and said it was ok for outdoors), my peppers died as well, and my tomatoes got blight!!! Don't know the variety of the peppers and tomato plants as my Mum gave them to me and she'd lost the labels lol!

I was wondering what varieties would do best outside in adverse conditions? I know a lot will depend on what kind of a summer we have I guess, but want to give myself the best chance - Thank you!

[Demeter]

We've had a rubbish summer haven't we? Hope it will be better next year.

This year (my first) I grew Konsa cucumbers (see from Lidl) outdoors and although they got mildew in the end we did have half a dozen cukes of each plant before they finally succumbed.

I also grew money maker, sunbaby yellow and tumbling tom outside. I did not look after them as well as I could have so I don't blame the varieties, but can't say any of them did well. The sunbaby yellow were a nice tomato and the best producers, but a lot of split skins - I put it down to all the rain!

I only grew one type of pepper - sweet pepper, Marconi red - and it did very well outdoors. I grew the young plants on in a plastic greenhouse then planted them out in a tub. Both have got masses of peppers on (I guess a dozen each plant, with more setting if the weather holds!) and I've recently picked my first fully red ones. delicious....

[littlepooley]

At least it is possible to grow them successfully outside then! I think next year I'll grow more pepper and cucumber plants myself from seeds rather than buying them so I can try and pick sturdy varieties, and have a more plants to give me the best chance. Good job that there's only me in the house that eats veg, I haven't got to grow too much to be pleased!

Did you grow your peppers from seeds? If so, what time of year did you sow the seeds? I read in another post that if you plant earlier then you might stand a better chance of getting a good crop - is this the case with your Marconi red peppers?

[Demeter]

Did you grow your peppers from seeds? If so, what time of year did you sow the seeds? I read in another post that if you plant earlier then you might stand a better chance of getting a good crop - is this the case with your Marconi red peppers?

I bought them as sturdy young plants in late March / early April. I imagine they must have been sown in January or February. I've got seeds for next year (Gypsy) and will sow them in Jan/Feb.

[littlepooley]

Thanks, think I'll try sowing my seeds in January then in the conservatory. Hopefully I'll be getting a coldframe but I imagine it will be far to cold in January for peppers to germinate!

[vicky]

I grow Ferline toms outside as they're pretty blight resistant, I'd recommend them for flavour too. I don't have a greenhouse so stary everything on windowsills no earlier than feb (otherwise you get lanky plants by the time they can go out).
It has been rubbish this year for those more tender veg, fingers crossed for next summer!

[Two_Sheds]

You need to start peppers, chillies & tomatoes off early (Jan/Feb/Mar)... a small electric propagator indoors is perfect (about £12 on eBay).

Once germinated, the seedlings can tolerate cooler temps - an indoor windowsill?

Don't start them off too early though, you don't want them growing too big before you can get them outside ... find out your last frost, and work backwards from then. Good luck

[littlepooley]

Thank you - I might need it!