Summer's Final Curtain

» themos100 - Summer's end

Down here in Guildford its beginning to seem like summer's gone for good. And so I'm thinking ahead to sensible things to do with about 20 patio pots and tubs when autumn finally arrives. They look so sad just full of soil waiting for bulbs to show through in spring. This year I want to grow winter vegetables in them. Any ideas? Tom

-- posted by themos100

Permalink Print Discussion Join the latest discussions

» GrahamL - Re: Summer's end

In response to message posted by themos100:

Hi Tom,

Empty pots do look a bit forlorn and doubly so when winter comes. Vegetables are not really my forte, at least in recent years. But I did have an allotment for over 12 yrs, so I must know something about them.

A few suggestions follow.

Garlic: This is as hardy as old boots. Buy some decent garlic bulbs from your greengrocers (yes, they will be fine!) Split each bulb into segments and plant around November, this is the best time. They like very light soil and lots of sun. Some potash would help in spring. Harvest in July.

Chinese Cabbage: This can be sown now in August. Many types, but the one to go for and the commonest, has a long barrel-shaped head of tightly folded leaves. Does not like transplanting, so sow directly into the pots. Harvest in around two months or so. This cabbage is a fast growing brassica, a semi-tropical crop, needing plenty of water and nitrogen. Grows best in an open situation, with a neutral or alkaline compost.

Winter lettuce: Many varieties. Valdor, Little Gem, Winter Density. All butterhead types. Sow direct at the end of August or early Sept. Then thin if necessary to 3 inches apart in October. Prefers a neutral light compost that does not dry out.

Parsley: Sow now. Likes a fertile, moisture retentive compost Germination can be slow, up to four weeks. Avoid sowing in cold soils though. Germination can be speeded up by watering the drills with boiling water. Might need protection in very severe winter weather and foliage might look a bit tatty after frost.

Winter Radish: Cultivars to look for are; Black Spanish Long, Black Spanish Round, China Rose. Sow thinly. Watering the drills will help at this dry time of year. A rich light compost or soil is best.

Winter Spinach: Cultivars avialable; Broad- leaved Prickly, Greenmarket. Sow thinly. Will crop from November until the following spring. The quality of the crop will be improved if it is cloched during the winter. Compost must be nitrogen rich and moist.

Spring Cabbage: Sow now in neutral to alkaline compost. Will be helped by some protection when finally transplanted. Earthing up during the winter will be necessary and a spring top dressing of nitrogen fertilizer is a good idea.

Anyway, hope some of this helps!

Graham Leatherbarrow.

-- posted by GrahamL

Permalink Print Discussion Join the latest discussions

» themos100 - Vegetable pots

Thanks a lot for that Graham - immensely useful. I'll let you know how I get on.

Did you see the advert in the Sunday papers last weekend for 50 miniature wall flowers that flower all through the winter? I'm going to try those as well.

Bye for now, Tom

-- posted by themos100

Permalink Print Discussion Join the latest discussions