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What to Plant Now - & Eat in Winter/Spring?

• Message 1.Ìý

  Posted by Alison Wright (U14267575) on Friday, 9th September 2011

  Evening gardeners,
  I'm visiting from the food board & mistakenly posted this thread earlier on the Garden Clinic forum, so now hoping this is the best place to ask advice.
  
  I’ve only ever been a window-box/patio gardener, but after a recent house move I have a ‘small’ plot which I’d like to plant this month with any foodie stuff I can harvest over the coming months. (Apologies if this has been discussed before)
  
  Before bothering you good folk, my online searches have come up with
  
  garlic
  pak choi
  winter lettuce
  spring onion
  lamb’s lettuce
  radish
  perpetual spinach
  salad leaves
  
  mostly from the Thomson & Morgan website.
  
  I’m new to this, so recommendations of specific varieties suitable for a chilly Nth. Yorks location would be greatly appreciated.
  
  

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• Message 2

  , in reply to message 1.

  Posted by cellarina (U3441540) on Saturday, 10th September 2011

  For the spinach, I would recommend Mikado - we have found it has a good flavour and is slow to bolt.
  I saw in last month's Grow Your Own magazine that it is possible to plant French beans now - I can't find any more info about this on the web and certainly the seed packets don't mention autumn planting. I'm going to try planting some in a large pot which we can move into the greenhouse if it gets very chilly and they are not making progress.

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• Message 3

  , in reply to message 2.

  Posted by thedogcody (U14659366) on Saturday, 10th September 2011

  French beans now-I wouldnt- far too tender,cold nights, and how would they get pollinated in greenhouse-best to wait until next May.

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• Message 4

  , in reply to message 3.

  Posted by Vixxihibiscus (U13865184) on Saturday, 10th September 2011

  Try some Radicchio. It's lovely in winter salads. I also sow all my unused brassica (cabbage/sprouts/broccoli etc.) seeds and use them in salads as baby leaves. They're super hardy!
  
  

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• Message 5

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  Posted by Alison Wright (U14267575) on Wednesday, 14th September 2011

  Thankyou Cellarina- I'll check out Mikado. Thanks also to Vixxihibscus, radicchio is something I hadn't considered. Your replies are much appreciated.
  
  It occurs to me that this is not the website for beginners to ask for advice. Seems I'll have to cast my net wider.
  
  
  
  

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• Message 6

  , in reply to message 5.

  Posted by thedogcody (U14659366) on Thursday, 15th September 2011

  Thankyou Cellarina- I'll check out Mikado. Thanks also to Vixxihibscus, radicchio is something I hadn't considered. Your replies are much appreciated.
  
  It occurs to me that this is not the website for beginners to ask for advice. Seems I'll have to cast my net wider.
  
  
  
  Ìý Alison
  It is a shame you feel like that because usually members on here come up with loads of advice-be it to new or old gardeners-it is just that for a lot of people the growing season is over-that is why this is called the harvest season!!-
  If you posed a "what can I grow now"question in the spring you would have so many choices you wouldn't know where to start!!
  Perhaps if you are such a novice and want some inspiration then could I suggest a trip to the library and borrow a basic" how to garden book"-pop back over here around March time,ask your questions, and get ready for the onslaught !!
  
  Geoff
  

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• Message 7

  , in reply to message 6.

  Posted by Alison Wright (U14267575) on Thursday, 15th September 2011

  Thanks Geoff,
  
  As mentioned in my OP, we've just recently moved - so didn't have a garden last spring
  
  The excitement of acquiring a new plot meant I couldn't wait until next spring to plant something foodie. And can hardly believe all you lucky people with large plots aren't utilising them over the winter months to have some fresh produce to harvest - even though it may be limited.
  
  I have grown summer veg in tubs/pots/hanging baskets, so not a complete novice, but haven't grown veg over the winter months before which is why I asked here.
  
  I'll spend some time in a local garden centre & ask the staff for suggestions/inspiration.
  

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• Message 8

  , in reply to message 7.

  Posted by BigDave (U3975543) on Thursday, 15th September 2011

  Hi there, Alison....I use as much of my plot and greenhouse's as I can over the winter, you have time for spring cabbage, spring onions, winter onions, (red and white) winter salad and loads of other things.
  
  If people put there mind to it there are loads of things just eat them young and sow every week or two.....the window sill is a good place for some herbs like mint and thyme.
  
  Oh and if you realy want to get into it....potatoes.
  
  Sow your spring cabbage close so you can eat them as you thin them out.
  
  I hope that helps.
  
  Whatsthemarrow...

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• Message 9

  , in reply to message 8.

  Posted by Alison Wright (U14267575) on Thursday, 15th September 2011

  Hi Dave.
  
  Sadly no greenhouse! & I'd rather use the space for more interesting things than spuds
  
  I'll certainly look into the winter onions & sp cabbage. I think I was hoping for rec'd specific varieties as it's a chilly spot we're in here. Looks like it's going to be a learning curve & trial & error this year looking forward to it!
  
  Thankyou
  Alison

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• Message 10

  , in reply to message 9.

  Posted by BigDave (U3975543) on Thursday, 15th September 2011

  " I'd rather use the space for more interesting things than spuds"
  
  
  Oh my days...lol....I love spuds all kinds and size....I'm sure you being from the food bourd you know how to turn the "spud" into a lovey warm creamy dish thats bliss in a dish....but for some they are just that a "spud"
  
  
  Hope it all works out for you and as you said....a learning curve it is...for all of us.
  
  Whatsthemarrow...

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• Message 11

  , in reply to message 10.

  Posted by ladynovicegardener (U5368058) on Thursday, 15th September 2011

  I use part of my plot for Garlic in the winter time. There are lots of varieties available now for planting next month or so. You could also try some broad beans and onions, both have varieties suitable for winter growing. I also grow Kale and sprouts although it's a bit too late for you to be sowing them I'm afraid. I've also got spring onions and beetroot still growing. With the permanent planting of Rhubarb and Raspberries a fair part of my plot is taken up as you can see. I only have a half plot.
  There's lots you can do to condition your plot over the winter which will help make it fertile and ready for growing in springtime. Best of luck.

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• Message 12

  , in reply to message 10.

  Posted by Alison Wright (U14267575) on Thursday, 15th September 2011

  Evening Dave,
  
  I'm sure you being from the food bourd you know how to turn the "spud" into a lovey warm creamy dish thats bliss in a dishÌý
  I certainly do!
  I love spuds all kinds and sizeÌý
  Me too - but it's only a tiddly little plot & I fancy specialising - or maybe I should say hedging me bets - not knowing the state the soil is in & what yield I can expect.
  Whatsthemarrow...Ìý
  or as we say - wassamarrer?!
  
  
  
  Thanks ladyNG,
  
  Garlic & onions are definites. And as said earlier I'll have a scoot round the local garden centre, they'll probably know what I should or shouldn't plant in this area for best results. Hopefully they'll have plugs or equivalent of ready to plant stuff.

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• Message 13

  , in reply to message 12.

  Posted by cellarina (U3441540) on Friday, 16th September 2011

  You might have a look at Senshu Yellow onions if you like mild-flavoured onions for cooking.
  Good luck with your growing.

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• Message 14

  , in reply to message 12.

  Posted by bookertoo (U3655866) on Saturday, 17th September 2011

  No terribly sure that the local garden centre is the best place for a new gardener to start - some of the 'advice' iI have heard given has been total rubbish, as some of the workers hardly know which end of the plant to put in the ground. Mind, that may not be for all GC's. Try a good web site that sells plants, a specialist nursery site for things you might know you want to try.
  
  We all were beginners at gardening, and the longer you do it the more you realise how little you know! Please ask anything, there are no 'silly' questions, we all had to start out wondering how to sow a seed or when to water a cabbage, if at all.

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• Message 15

  , in reply to message 14.

  Posted by Alison Wright (U14267575) on Sunday, 18th September 2011

  Evening all,
  
  I've spent a fair amount of time on 'tinternet researching the subject & have more or les decided what I'd like to grow.
  
  The links below have been useful in recommending specific varieties which was what I needed, & helpful in getting me to consider some protection in the form of polytunnels and/or a coldframe.
  
  My local g/c is more of a nursery where there are a couple of older gentlemen who do the propagating etc & have a wealth of experience & can be trusted to give sound advice.
  
  
  
  

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