Tried,trusted and recommended varieties of vegetables

[Pooleman]

Having recently returned to allotment partnership after many years away, my personal knowledge of vegetable varieties is somewhat outdated.

The recommended books that provide information on varieties seem to date to around 2008 and we all know how quickly horticultural developments are continually being made.

So alongside trying to get my plot into shape for next year, I am busy collecting a number of seed catalogues to assemble a list of seeds to hopefully grow. But to make a choice can only be described as bewildering.

So I am seeking advice as to personally tried, tested and recommended varieties of vegetables in an attempt to focus my attention. My primary requirement is taste followed by taste and then disease/pest resistance.

Can you assist please?

[Jay-ell]

Welcome back to the world of growing

Have a look look at this thread

http://www.growfruitandveg.co.uk/gra...ml#post1491008

[Guest]

For tried and tested I would stick with cheap and cheerfuls from aldi, lidl, wilco and value ranges or freebies of mags. Things like

cue - marketmore, burpless tasty
lettuce - little gem
radish - scarlet, French breakfast
carrot - nantes
beetroot - bolthardy
parsnip - tender and true
courgette - black beauty, geen bush

The one exception (IMO) is tom- moneymaker, there are lots and lots of toms so treat yourself and see what takes you. I don't think homegrown moneymaker are much better than shop bought.

Once you have the basics you can then browse the catalogues, get overwhelmed and splurge on a few that take your fancy to try

[Elfeda]

It is better not to spend more than £10 on seeds in the first year

[sparrow100]

It is better not to spend more than £10 on seeds in the first year

Why?

Yes there are a lot of cheap seeds around and it doesn't have to be expensive, but why £10 for a plot's worth of crops? If I want to grow tomatoes outside that means blight resistant ie £3.99/packet, so nearly half your allocation. And then there is the cost of spuds/garlic/onion sets etc.

I don't think it makes sense to set people limits like this - it seems rather unrealistic to me.

[Lumpy]

I agree with NG's list - except I can add on -

Carrots - Artemis as with a bit of protection over winter you can have all year round carrots.

Leek - Blue de Solaise as they are relatively rust proof and have pretty bluish leaves.

Runners - Polestar - stringless and depending where you are can be nursed along a bit earlier than other varities.

Tatties - Charlottes (2nd earlies) as they are normally ready before blight sets in.

[Elfeda]

Why?

Yes there are a lot of cheap seeds around and it doesn't have to be expensive, but why £10 for a plot's worth of crops? If I want to grow tomatoes outside that means blight resistant ie £3.99/packet, so nearly half your allocation. And then there is the cost of spuds/garlic/onion sets etc.

I don't think it makes sense to set people limits like this - it seems rather unrealistic to me.

Sparrow, I have not set this but definately 'Real seeds ' website says..at least I read it in my first year. It makes a lot sense to me. while you start working and improving the plot ..you get lot of selections in 2 or 3 collections. with £10 you can have 20 + packets @50p each, and more at 35p each.


and if you try in pound shops just 2 packets of collections will cover the basics which is actually suffice in first year.so lot of money left to buy seed spuds and onion sets or if you fancy about a great tomato.

[sparrow100]

It's £20-25 on RealSeeds Vegetable Seeds : Tips for Beginners

I think we'll just disagree.

[Elfeda]

it seems they changed it recently from £10

I am not sure what the original poster would be wishing or able to grow in his/her first year..

[Small pumpkin]

Personal I would probably grow at least 2 varieties of each crop that way you can see which ones grow best for your needs and in your location, climate. I still do this, each year I swap out the variety I'm not 100% happy with and try a new one. If you remember any of the varieties you used to grow. grow them again, there's a fairly high chance they'll sill be a very good choice.

My tried and tested
Lomond swede
Small sugar pumpkin
Black Russian tomato
Red drum head cabbage
Vegetable spaghetti squash
Chilli Thai dragon

[Cadalot]

Why?

If I want to grow tomatoes outside that means blight resistant ie £3.99/packet, so nearly half your allocation. And then there is the cost of spuds/garlic/onion sets etc.

My F2 Crimson Crush from saved seeds from the free plants I received last year produced more fruit that matched exactly what I had last year and I have saved F3 seeds this year to use next year.

So tell me again why I need to buy blight resistant Tomatoes?

A new plot holder when out and bought a shed load of expensive packs of seeds not realising the Wyevale 50p Sale, idle and Wiko see them as cheap as chips, plus the £1 shop multi packs.

[veggiechicken]

My question to Pooleman is " What veggies/fruit do you want to grow?" Then we can recommend varieties!

[Pooleman]

My question to Pooleman is " What veggies/fruit do you want to grow?" Then we can recommend varieties!

VC, With the exception of main crop Pots & Tomatoes at this time, I would like to have a try at growing as many as possible.

The cost of seeds is not an issue, but until Spring/Summer I will not have access to a GH or polytunnel.

Thanks for the replies so far.

[Greenleaves]

What you spend on seeds is what you can afford as far as I am concerned.

For summer cailis i prefer All year Round
For winter caulis it has to be Aalsmeer

[Elfeda]

Pooleman,


you may start with some dwarf peas and hardy salads like lettuce and spinach in pots while you start clearing and preparing the soil of a small area.

while you continue clearing the next one, plan accordingly what you want plant into it, may be broadbeans,root crops, spring onions or brassicas also courgettes ..any other crop that you are fancy at.

I think few lovely grapes above gave some interesting varietis of each vegetable group.

you may find good deals of those seeds, but do not be hurry in picking up alot. as there is always next year to buy/grow

I would wait for one season before I start to grow onions ,garlic etc. still you can try in small quantities itf that makes you happy!