Martin B Posted May 10, 2007 Share Posted May 10, 2007 This was mentioned in another thread. What is everyone growing over the winter, and when do they need to be planted etc. I heard that Brussel Sprouts should already be planted! Do you think I could grow some veg in my greenhouse as it would be warmer in there? Martin Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lesley Posted May 11, 2007 Share Posted May 11, 2007 I've got leeks started - and we grow salad veg all through the winter in a polytunnel. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Olly Posted May 11, 2007 Share Posted May 11, 2007 Yes, it was me (or should I say, it was I ) who wanted to know about winter veg. I've only ever grown summer stuff, but I'd really like to plan ahead for things to put in for winter. Especially if they are things that I should start raising from seed earlier in the year? Martin, like you I've got a greenhouse for the first time and I am wondering the same thing. I've read that you can grow e.g. carrots inside the greenhouse, but I'm not quite sure when or how to go about it - in pots? in growbags? someone out there is sure to know! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lesley Posted May 11, 2007 Share Posted May 11, 2007 You can grow potatoes for Christmas Day! Look in any of the seed catalogues or garden centres for autumn planted potatoes. You could plant them into the soil in a greenhouse - or into pots kept in the greenhouse - and dig them up for Christmas Day/New Year? I never fancy them for Christmas - has to be roasties - but New Year, new potatoes sounds good to me. You can start leeks off now. Just make a small area of fine soil into a seedbed area. Mark it well - so that you remember it is there - and sow some leek seeds. When they are bigger you transplant them to a bed which you will be using through the summer but which will then be empty, and they will grow through the winter. You can buy plants of sprouts/cabbage from the garden centre to put in ready for winter. They need a long season. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Martin B Posted May 11, 2007 Author Share Posted May 11, 2007 Sounds like I shall have to buy the plug plants and grow some winter veg in the greenhouse. The cabbage that my grandad bought me is a winter variety! Martin Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cinnamon Posted May 11, 2007 Share Posted May 11, 2007 I bought some sprouts a few weeks ago from a garden centre,& they are going great gune - nearly a foot tall now Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
craftyhunnypie Posted May 11, 2007 Share Posted May 11, 2007 I bought some Suttons Speedy seeds the other day....Baby carrots they are and take only 12 weeks until ready! I am going to sow them into a large tub in the greenhouse to start them off, then move the tub outside. I presume you could grow them in the greenhouse all year round. I've also started off some baby beetroot in the same way. I shall have a right little harvest this year...cherry tomatoes, spring onions, french beans, cucumber, melon, chillis, jalapeno peppers, ornamental gourds, coriander, chives, mint, basil, lemon balm, baby beetroot, grren leaf salad, baby carrots, Pears and.........EGGS! (blueberries next year) Not to mention all my flowers - Cala Lilly, Stargazer Lillies, Gladioli, Clematis, Petunias, Zinnia, Asters, Musicbox sunflowers, Crysanthamums, Mesembryanthymums, dahlias, delphinium, Marigolds, lobelia, Busy Lizzies & Freesias. I adore my potting shed (greenhouse). Emma.x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chickpea Posted May 11, 2007 Share Posted May 11, 2007 I've started off some beetroot, parsnips, brussels, cabbages and leeks for the winter, but it may go pear-shaped yet...! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ubereglu Posted May 11, 2007 Share Posted May 11, 2007 I'm growing leeks and pumpkins for autumn/winter! The leeks I planted at the end of March and they're growing well. I also have planted some more leek seeds since then and they've started to come up. If you plant leek seeds now, (inside/outside) you'll get some for winter and when they are about a pencil width thick they can go outside. I planted mine indoors on my loft/attic windowsill and covered over the soil in bubblewrap-works a treat and they start to germinate from 7 days. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bronze Posted May 11, 2007 Share Posted May 11, 2007 WE're only just coping with our summer stuff. We have to start thinking about the winter bits already? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted May 11, 2007 Share Posted May 11, 2007 we grow salad veg all through the winter in a polytunnel. Which varieties Lesley?.... and do you do anything other than put them in the polytunnel? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lesley Posted May 11, 2007 Share Posted May 11, 2007 we grow salad veg all through the winter in a polytunnel. Which varieties Lesley?.... and do you do anything other than put them in the polytunnel? We grow rocket, miners lettuce(purslane) and land cress. These are from Marshalls and are happy with sub zero temperatures. We also grow mixed salad leaves and baby carrots under a cloche in the polytunnel. sometimes, these depend on the sort of winter we get. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Olly Posted May 11, 2007 Share Posted May 11, 2007 ok, so leeks, sprouts and cabbage outside in the veg patch, and maybe some baby carrots and new potatoes in tubs in the greenhouse? I think I'm getting the hang of this. I have got plenty of books, it's just easier when someone else explains it! I love leeks, and they sound like a really good idea - I will start some off. In previous years, I probably would hardly have ventured up the end of the garden in winter except to go to the compost bin, but since I'm going to have to go up there, rain or shine, to see to the chooks I might as well have something to do! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted May 11, 2007 Share Posted May 11, 2007 we grow salad veg all through the winter in a polytunnel. Which varieties Lesley?.... and do you do anything other than put them in the polytunnel? We grow rocket, miners lettuce(purslane) and land cress. These are from Marshalls and are happy with sub zero temperatures. We also grow mixed salad leaves and baby carrots under a cloche in the polytunnel. sometimes, these depend on the sort of winter we get. Ta muchly. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Christian Posted May 13, 2007 Share Posted May 13, 2007 I will be planting spinach, curly kale, swiss chard, winter lettuce (Autumn king I think ) and have sprouts in already. I tried lambs lettuce last year (also called salad maiche) as it is supposed to like cool temps but it didn't grow, Will maybe try again this year with cloches over the top. Anyone have any other ideas for winter crops???? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Martin B Posted May 13, 2007 Author Share Posted May 13, 2007 I bought some sprout seeds today! I'm a month late according to the packet, but when you've got global warming on your side! I got them from the Allotment Community Shed, they do loads of things at reduced and discounted prices. They're better value than the shops! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CannyCat Posted May 13, 2007 Share Posted May 13, 2007 Is there anything you can plant after the 'summer' veg has been harvested? I only have room for a tiddly veggie bed, and think it will be very full... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Martin B Posted May 13, 2007 Author Share Posted May 13, 2007 Salad leaves, potatoes, herbs? Early Spring Brascias! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tara.F Posted May 14, 2007 Share Posted May 14, 2007 hello martin you can still start your sprouts (and any other brassicas) from seed. They have a really long growing season so will catch up and you'll probably get better germination rates by sowing them now. I start mine in cell trays at home and gradually pot them on into bigger and bigger pots, planting them down the allotment when they are big enough to withstand slug attacks and clubroot. Seeds are so much cheaper than plug plants and there is far more choice, you could try red ones! If any don't grow to a decent size...your chooks will still really enjoy them Also, you still have time to sow parsnips for next winter. They won't be monster competition sized, but all the more tender and tasty for that. You will also miss the poor germination and canker of early sowings. I am sowing mine this week. maincrop spuds can still be planted....don't bother chitting them. again, they won't be bakers but they should give you a decent crop Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Martin B Posted May 15, 2007 Author Share Posted May 15, 2007 Thanks Tara F. I have 2 types of potato that went in last week. I will start the parsnips and sprouts this weekend if I get chance. Thanks! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
