Hungry Gap

[PyreneesPlot]

We had a huge hungry gap this year and want to avoid a diet of squash, kale and leeks for almost two months next spring. We have very little cash for buying food and I resent buying veg (which I should be growing) instead of wine

I would love some ideas of what to plant and when. We have had kales, spring cabbages and leeks over the last two years which do well. Not to mention a huge stock of stored winter squash.

What else is there?
And when should I be thinking about it?

[Peas'n'Kews]

Wine is definately of infinite importance, especially in winter, summer, spring, and autumn!

You can overwinter lettuce - many types of "leaf" salad will overwinter well, and I have had success with Winter Gem and Winter density. It does help if you use a wee polytunnel, as these keeps rain splashes off.

Also parsnips - these will store in the ground (but you may have problems digging them when you want them if its really cold) or in a "clamp" (damp sand is good, or a proper clamp with straw and stuff - never tried this as not enough space).

Also cabbage and cauli? May be a bit late for you though....

Brussel sprouts? I only finished with mine in late March....

[veggiechicken]

If you grow surplus summer produce, like tomatoes and peppers you could preserve them for the winter gap.

[Two_Sheds]

During Jan, Feb and March, we live out of the freezer: frozen curries, soups, pasta sauces etc

[Nicos]

Same here...preserves in Le Parfait jars and the freezer.
Have to say I'm REALLY enjoying the beans/squash/onion/tomato variations I made late last summer... probs cos we've hardly eaten them over the winter!

[Bigmallly]

There is some interesting reading here:

Factsheet about Banishing gaps and gluts in the vegetable garden

[Alison]

We tend to be eating the last of the carrots, swede, leeks, kale and winter cabbages at that time of year as well as the stored stuff (both frozen, dried and otherwise preserved) which is then supplemented by PSB and a bit of asparagus. I've found that the polytunnel helps too as I can over winter things for very early spring veggies too but that's not much help if you don't have one.

[Uber-Uncool]

I dehydrate whenever i am fortunate to have a glut of anything and also utilise the freezer(s) by making up pasta sauces, vegetable curries etc to store and eat during the hungry gap period. I still don't have it sussed, but always make sure i have home grown veggies, spuds, soft fruits in the freezer to serve during the Festive period, i really enjoy that!

[BeatTheSeasons]

Also you could try making your own wine for a tiny fraction of the cost of buying bottles and then you've have lots of spare money for buying food or anything else you fancied. Well over £2 of every bottle sold goes straight to the Government in duty and VAT. Elderberries, blackberries and wild plums are free!

[binley100]

but she does live in the land of cheap wine ........

[PyreneesPlot]

Some good ideas so far, thanks. Cabbages I have and snips with a few left in the (tiny) freezer. We had sundried toms until March. As we pay less than 90 cents a litre for wine we'll stick to buying! Anyone grown beetroot or turnips through the winter?

[Alison]

Anyone grown beetroot or turnips through the winter?

They will both get harmed by the frost so beetroots have to be chutney or pickled in winter but if you want turnips then just have swedes instead as they're hardy and taste the same to me.

[Paulottie]

Not quite sure of altitude and climate where you are but...I have always considered March/ April to be Most difficult months to find something fresh to eat. (that is not preserved, frozen or stored in boxes of sand)

We normally still have leeks and kale and sometimes brussels standing through winter; perhaps some celeriac remains but by then it is beginning to get soft, swedes...but like cannonballs and I don't think you'll find any beetroot very palatable either

It is certainly worth growing Asparagus for April food. We then move into the PSB followed by the overwintered broadies.

Also I grow wine boxes full of cut and come again mixes...(don't spose at 90 cents a litre you get a wooden box though!!) If you use cloches, greenhouses coldframes etc... I suggest you try growing lettuce, pak choi, and spinach (all enjoy a cool season) If you are really on the case and can get some fresh muck...build a hot bed



I also overwinter onions and garlic to get earlier crops.

[Florence Fennel]

I'm going to try some Chinese greens in my little stayput over winter this year. It stood empty last year, so it's worth a try.

[eirish]

Space constraints mean I'm not growing a lot of winter veg, but I'm hoping the kales, chard, and perpetual spinach will give me some green stuff through the cold months. I'm thinking of having a go at some pea tips and micro greens indoors - now cause I'm impatient, and if it works maybe in the winter too. Also, hardy herbs like sage, rosemary, thyme, bay, parsley, chervil, salad burnet, etc. etc. are lovely for freshening up winter veg.