The Poultry Keeper

Lisa

As some of you know I've had some back (and knee and elbow and ankle Sad

) problems this year. It means my allotment is in need of some serious TLC and I've not had a chance to plant much this year.

Recent physio is helping big time, so... any ideas what I can plant now?

Things that grow quick like lettuces and radishes seem to fit the bill. And autumn planted onions.

I've just got a book about oriental veggies (including mooli, winter radish, pak choy and much more), which apparently are planted later in the year. Anyone ever grown these? Any tips?

Any other ideas?

Thanks,
Lis

jaydee67 · Posted: Fri Jul 29, 2005 7:48 pm Post subject:

This month's kitchen garden has some offers on autumn planted veggies including spring greens - kale, calabrese and cabbages among them.

Lisa · Posted: Fri Jul 29, 2005 8:20 pm Post subject:

Thanks Julia - will go check. I subscribe to KG but the latest copy hasn't made it out of the wrapper yet due to other priorities Embarassed

Time for some me time this weekend me thinks, to check it out Wink

Heather · Posted: Sat Jul 30, 2005 8:38 am Post subject:

Hi Lisa

Try this Link http://www.hdra.org.uk/todo_now/index.php there are still a few veggies you can plant until Mid August

Of course Salad things and Spinach if you have something to cover them with - they are so much more expensive to buy in Winter so always a good idea Wink

HTH

Heather x

Lisa · Posted: Sat Jul 30, 2005 9:06 am Post subject:

Thanks for the link Heather - that's some more ideas Very Happy

I do have some fleece I've used to cover early potatoes before (though not this year). But funnily enough I've not thought to use it at the end of the season before to help crops last longer. Silly me Rolling Eyes

This months KG arrived today - so I've got 2 to read now. Bliss....!

Time for reading and some sowing today - and then see how I cope with the lottie tomorrow.

Anyone tried growing dwarf beans this late. Just checked the packets they say sow until mid July. Thought it might be worth a try (can always cover then with that fleece when it gets cold). I might not get a very big crop, and they might get cut down by an early frost - but I might get some? Hey - I think I've just talked myself into it! Laughing

summayah · Joined: 14 Apr 2005 Posts: 4289 Location: luton

About a week ago I planted some climbing french beans with my grandchildren, so they could watch them grow. I think it gave until the end of June for planting but they're up now and on their first set of real leaves. I think it might be worthwhile giving them a go, if you're up to it.

Lisa · Posted: Sat Jul 30, 2005 4:00 pm Post subject:

Thanks Summayah - beans is on the list then. I'll plant them this weekend at home, and then can transplant them to the lottie when I've cleared enough space Very Happy

I've just had a trip out to the HDRA (the organic place). After a lovely trip round the gardens, I went along their collections of seeds for sale looking for anything you can grow now. New to my seed collection are:

Chinese Celery (no idea!? about to do a google....)
Swede (it said sow until June, worth a try)
Turnips (sow until August)
Spinach (until July) and
Corn salad (until August)

Never grown any of the above before, so if nothing else this adding a bit of variety to my diet Laughing

Although I'm allergic to spinach (embarassing for a veggie, I know) but at least the chooks will love it Wink

jaydee67 · Posted: Mon Aug 01, 2005 11:34 pm Post subject:

What about garlic?

andym01480 · Joined: 29 Aug 2005 Posts: 131 Location: King's Lynn

Hi

Garlic is a November thing isn't it? Likes the cold of winter.

With global warming or at least a late hot spell!, looks like we can plant later this year. I've got some Tom Thumb lettuces just germinating - nice small quick growers!

Regards,

Andy (a newbie!) Laughing

Knobby · Posted: Fri Sep 02, 2005 10:16 am Post subject:

I think its a few weeks late, but I planted swede last weekend...... Confused

Hope its Ok....its my fave veg !!

stephen · Posted: Fri Sep 02, 2005 10:39 am Post subject:

*Chuckle* It's Nigel's favourite, too.

George · Joined: 14 Apr 2005 Posts: 5661 Location: London

They should get on fabulously well then, Razz

They both like chicken and they both like swede

so a Swedish Chicken might have to go on the christmas present list Wink

Knobby · Posted: Fri Sep 02, 2005 11:15 am Post subject:

Heather · Posted: Fri Sep 02, 2005 1:27 pm Post subject:

Knobby , I'm sure your swede will be fine - it may be smaller than it would have been but that mat be a good thing - you might avoid the woody part that big swedes have .

see below for what can be planted over the winter - my allotment is in a right state but I might clear some ground and move my coldframes back over there for some winter salad leaves Smile

oh and some onion and Garlic which I always forget about but maybe a good idea
Continue to sow/plant outdoors

Overwintering onions
Onion sets are on sale now for planting until November. Radar, Senshyu Yellow and Keepwell F1 are some of the varieties available.

Tips for planting:

A site where the soil is well-drained will give best results; waterlogged soil and prolonged periods of wet weather over the winter can be very damaging.
Suggested spacing is 10 -15 cm apart in rows 30 - 40 cm apart, or an equidistant spacing of 20 -25 cm approximately.
Replant gently if this happens, taking care not to break any of the young rootlets that may have started to form.
Set up bird scarers, and/or cover the onion patch with net. This can be safely removed once the onions have put down sufficient roots to anchor themselves in the soil.

Garlic Buy garlic for planting in October or early November. Plant named varieties of garlic, rather than using left over cloves bought from the greengrocer. This will avoid the risk of introducing disease, and help ensure you are growing a variety suited to the UK. Garlic can also be planted in early spring, but will give much better yields if it goes through a cold period over winter.
Land cress Also known as American cress. Makes an excellent substitute for watercress and is very hardy, usually surviving even the toughest winter.

Rocket Although known principally as a summer salad, a September sowing of rocket will last well into the autumn and sometimes survive the winter in mild conditions or with some protection. The cooler temperatures at this time of year discourage rocket from going to seed so quickly.

Chinese leaves
Mizuna
There is a great choice of oriental salads to sow now to give a supply of salad or stir-fry leaves over the autumn and winter. Some (marked* below) are best with some protection, and all will crop more generously under cover. If you are not sure what you like, try Oriental Saladini - a mixture of various greens. Oriental Saladini, Mizuna*, Mibuna*, Giant Red Mustard*, Indian mustard, Pak choi*.

Lamb's lettuce Also called corn salad, lamb’s lettuce is a very hardy winter salad with a soft texture and mild flavour. Lasts well throughout the winter, and when it flowers next spring the flowers can be eaten too.

Winter lettuce Slower and less reliable perhaps than the salads listed above. Use a winter variety such as Wendel, Rouge d'Hiver, Winter Density or Winter Crop. for harvesting in November and December.

Winter purslane Goes by the additional names of claytonia and miner's lettuce. Another very hardy winter salad, good at self seeding. Produces small, mild tasting, succulent leaves. Sow direct until end of the month.

Knobby · Posted: Fri Sep 02, 2005 2:06 pm Post subject:

Blimey Heather....that mustve taken ages to type !! Rolling Eyes