What veg can I plant now?

[The Bear]

I am a novice gardener and would like to start growing some vegetables and fruit in my new garden.

Fruit wise I know what I want, I plan to plan an apple tree that is already 1-2 years of age. That will be a kind of plant and pretty much forget project as it will take a fair while until it bears fruit.

My second plan is to plant some vegetables and my questions are;

Can I plant now? If so what is easy to start with? Can I buy plants that are already partly grown? If so wheres a good place to get them online?

I don't have masses of space but might also plant some vegetables in containers.

Some of the things I would like to grow;

Broccoli, cauliflower, peppers, chillis, courgettes...maybe carrotts, potatoes. I have a south facing garden in Essex, UK.

Cheers

[Capsid]

Now's the time to plant overwintering onion sets (not seed), garlic and broad beans (Aquadulce variety).

[rustylady]

Hi Bear. Welcome to the Vine. Things like peppers, courgettes, tomatoes and chillies won't be suitable for sowing now - that's a job for next year. As Capsid said, this time of year is for onion sets, garlic and broad beans. You could make a start on getting the ground ready. By the way, could you add your location to your profile please, then it will show up on your posts.

[Chef_uk]

I took a risk 4 weeks ago with some Beetroot, Kohl Rabi, Turnips, and lettuces. I'll be covering them with some polytunnels from poundland this weekend.

I wouldn't think of sowing those this late though. Maybe some winter lettuces like mizuna?

[HeatherL]

If you are quick, many garden centres have trays of plug plants ready for planting now. I went to my local Wyevale a couple of weeks ago and bought a tray of cauli's and purple sprouting broccoli for £5 as they had a special offer on if you were a gardening club member. They also had winter lettuces. I only started growing veg at the beginning of the year and completely forgot to sow seeds for plants to harvest early next year!

[scarletrunner]

Sown some "Sutton"variety broad beans this morning which overwinter reasonably well,and are suitable for small gardens and containers.

[northepaul]

you can also overwinter peas, and some winter lettuce, but I would think its too late for growing lettuce from seed now.
Welcome to the vine by the way

[Leek Inquiry]

I know that it's too late for most seeds, but I'm going to try anyway . I've got a few packets of things which should be planted no later than September (land cress, turnip, kale, spinach, spring onion) and I'm going to plant a few of each just to see what happens.

Here in the Midlands, average first frost is mid-October, ie about now, but so far most nights have been around 10-14 C, and only a couple got down to 5 or 6, so the weather is more like September. If the seeds get off to a good start, they might be OK - they're all hardy types. That's one reason.

Another is that there are loads of seeds per packet - 250 spinach, 350 turnips, 650 spring onions. I can spare a dozen or so of each. (I doubt I've eaten 100 turnips in my whole life, so far!)

Lastly, I've got great patches of newly-dug earth, and I'm itching to do something with it. I couldn't start much earlier than I have, I only moved to this house at the end of September. I want to garden, and I'm jolly well going to! I don't care what season it is!

[Two_Sheds]

Can I buy plants that are already partly grown? If so wheres a good place to get them online?

Yep, they're called seedlings, most of the major suppliers do them.

- eBay

- T&M

- Veg Plants - Shop | Vegetable Garden Direct

- Buy Vegetable Plants | UK Vegetable Plants Supplier

That's a few to get you started, there are plenty more

I want to garden, and I'm jolly well going to! I don't care what season it is!

That's the spirit
We all get itchy fingers in the winter

[Two_Sheds]

I know that it's too late for most seeds ... but so far most nights have been around 10-14 C

It's not just down to temp though, the very short days are against you now

[shona_b]

and don't forget some really good advice someone else posted on another thread - now is a good time to start your compost heap / bin off as you've got a chance of having some ready for spring.

[Leek Inquiry]

It's not just down to temp though, the very short days are against you now

Ah, yes. I was forgetting that. That whole plants and light thing.

now is a good time to start your compost heap / bin off as you've got a chance of having some ready for spring.

There's probably more useful stuff to do than I realise at the moment. I've started one proper compost heap of mixed green and brown stuff, and I also have a huge pile of turfs that I removed to make the new beds - don't really know what to do with that. At least it's not in the way.

Leaves are just starting to fall off the trees in quantity now, so maybe I should make some leafmould.

Thanks for the advices!

[taff]

you stack the turves upside down in corner somewhere, in a nice big pile, like a paralellogram, with the shortest horizontal upright, then cover them with something, and leave them for a year or two Hey presto, fine tilth earth. good for carrots, root veg.

[Two_Sheds]

Leaves in black sacks, watered, tied then punch a couple of breathing holes in. Open the sacks in 12-18 months, gasp at how little (but such good quality) leafmould you have, then mix it in with your potting compost

[The Bear]

Thanks for all the tips.

I've been a bit busy lately but quite fancy planting some garlic. Do I just use the bulbs I get from the supermarket?

Thanks