What should I plant?

[Patchninja]

I wouldn't grow things like parsnips in a SFG scheme - they're in the ground too long IMHO, and you won't get enough to make it worth while. Same with tatoes. Grow them in old tyres or tubs. I have a potato tub that is in the greenhouse. I don't grow parsley either as I eat too much. LOL It's easier to buy it.
What about dwarf peas/beans?

[Two_Sheds]

I actually have two small beds, they are only 1m x 1m x 60 cm

A broccoli plant will fill one of those

[t4tom]

The onion sets can go in, spaced 4-6" apart I guess if you're SF'ing it then 4"...
The spuds can go in, a foot or so apart, though given your limited space, you might be better off in tubs.,...
Sow the radish aqnd carrots thinly, if you are block sowing aim for an inch between each seed. You'll probably need to thin the carrot to twice that, use the thinnings as baby carrots.
Get module trays and start off on a windowsill with a propagator top on:
Parsley (observe the ancient rituals, three time widdershins etc), chillis, spinach, leeks, kale, lettuce, broccolli. Given how early your last frost is you might as well get tomatoes (one per module) and cucumber (sow one seed per pot) going too.

I'd suggest 60-module trays then you might get away with a single tray....

1-seed per module for the chillis, 3-4 seeds per for the others... once the seeds are up pot on either into bigger modules broken into individual seedlings or pots for bigger things, plant out from there once the plants are a decent size.... SF gardening will really entail always having a few of the next things to go in in pots (and the ones after next in modules)

chrisc
(wish my last frost was March [/jealous])

Thanks for your comprehensive response chriscross1966!

I shall get the indoor items started today and I'll move onto the items for sowing outside tomorrow.

Dare I ask what the "ancient rituals" and "three time widdershins" are?

A broccoli plant will fill one of those

I had understood that I could plant one broccoli plant in one square foot? I sincerely hope so, or I will most certainly be buying broccoli from the shops instead!

[Two_Sheds]

I had understood that I could plant one broccoli plant in one square foot?

You could, the stem is about as thick as your wrist. The plant itself is about 3' tall and wide.

btw, do you mean calabrese (the broc you buy in supermarkets) or broccoli (the purple sprouting winter kind)?


Broc is a lovely veg, but you don't have a lot of space, and it does sit in the ground for 6-9 months, which uses up a lot of your space for a long time. It also needs to be netted against butterflies & pigeons, which might be difficult for you. Another 'con' is that it needs a firm soil, almost like concrete: brassicas don't do well in fluffy multi-purpose compost.

[BUFFS]

I've literally just completed filling my raised bed and I am now looking to get them suitably planted.

This is what I have available to me:

Parsnip - Tender & True
Carrot - Giant Red
Parsley - Gigante de Napoli
Broccoli - Green Heading
Kale - Sutherland
Chilli - Nigel's Outdoors
Cucumber - Wautoma
Leek - Bleu de Solaise
Lettuce - Reine des Glaces
Vine Tomato - Rose de Berne
Radish - Sicily Giant
Spinach - Perpetual
Potato - King Edward
Onion - Sturon (sets)

I regret that I am a bit of a newbie, but I had hoped that it would be suitable to sew the following outside in approximately one week, straight into the raised beds:

Parsnip - Tender & True
Carrot - Giant Red
Broccoli - Green Heading
Kale - Sutherland
Leek - Bleu de Solaise
Lettuce - Reine des Glaces
Radish - Sicily Giant
Spinach - Perpetual
Onion - Sturon (sets)

Start the following indoors in a heated propagator:

Cucumber - Wautoma
Chilli - Nigel's Outdoors
Vine Tomato - Rose de Berne

Chit:

Potato - King Edward.

Is this wildly optimistic?

According to gardenaction.co.uk, my last spring frost is due by the end of March.

Thanks,

t4tom

why not try greyhound cabbage as it can be planted closer than they say and still give a good crop of spring greens,ive just sown mine in modules and will be cropping from late july..the best tasting of the cabbages..

[chriscross1966]

Thanks for your comprehensive response chriscross1966!

I shall get the indoor items started today and I'll move onto the items for sowing outside tomorrow.

Dare I ask what the "ancient rituals" and "three time widdershins" are?



I had understood that I could plant one broccoli plant in one square foot? I sincerely hope so, or I will most certainly be buying broccoli from the shops instead!

Broccolli is a bit of a lump....I don't consider it edible so I'm not the poerson to ask re: growing

The ancient rituals of Parsley sowing are different for each person.... I start mine off by boiling a kettle and making a cup of tea and one hot water (not quite boiling) and then heading off to the GH to do some sowing. First thing I do is put the Parsley seed in the hot water... then do all the other sowing I need to do, then putting the parsley seed in modules, 3-4 seeds per, maybe ten modules.... it always works for me....
Other Rituals exist but represent erroneous heterodoxy and their perpetrators and promulgators will burn an eternity for their foul heresy.
chrisc