Allotment Gardening Advice Help Chat

Growing => Grow Your Own => Topic started by: New shoot on January 02, 2019, 16:04

Title: New to you in 2019
Post by: New shoot on January 02, 2019, 16:04
I have got a couple of completely new things to try, both multi-headed brassica crosses - brokali and sprouting cauliflower  :wacko:  They both sound a bit mad, but who knows, they could be my new favourites  :lol:

https://www.thompson-morgan.com/p/broccoli-brokali-apollo-f1-hybrid-calabrese-chinese-kale/4888TM

https://www.thompson-morgan.com/p/cauliflower-chinese-sweet-sprouting-f1-hybrid/tm79392TM

New stuff is always interesting to have a go at.  Some I decide are not for me, but some I keep growing year on year.  What is new to you this season?
Title: Re: New to you in 2019
Post by: whitehill1 on January 02, 2019, 17:14
my plot neighbor grown brokali ,it started cropping very quick, and went into autumn. with sprouting caulis ..you can have variation in meal :)

Edit: He actually sown seeds in the bed directly with some spacing. it did work  .
Title: Re: New to you in 2019
Post by: Mr Dog on January 02, 2019, 17:19
I grew Chinese caulies last year. From 6 plants I got one very small 'main' head. I'm hoping it was due to the weather and will be trying them again this year.
Title: Re: New to you in 2019
Post by: DHM on January 03, 2019, 04:34
This year being the 1st full one on the plot, most things are new to me this time but the wildcard is some coffee plants I'm going to have a go at!
Title: Re: New to you in 2019
Post by: madcat on January 03, 2019, 09:11
Cherokee beans, pink banana squash, Fat baby achocha and violette french beans are my planned newbies I think.  I am going to put a few swede and turnip back - they have been missing the last few years.  But ... there could be the odd impulse ... :blush:
Title: Re: New to you in 2019
Post by: Silva on January 03, 2019, 19:56
Nothing too wild for me, but I will be growing kohlrabi, sprouts and sweetcorn for the first time this year. I don't really know much about growing sweetcorn, so I'd better get swotting up! I've also been given some swede and turnip seeds which I haven't grown before, but I'm undecided as I'm not convinced they will be enthusiastically eaten!
Title: Re: New to you in 2019
Post by: JayG on January 03, 2019, 20:35
Ever reckless ::), after several recommendations I'm going to give Wizard field beans a try this year. Will have to sow early spring rather than last autumn as I think even this variety would have struggled in my garden which although south facing gets little light in the depths of winter.
Title: Re: New to you in 2019
Post by: mumofstig on January 03, 2019, 22:16
Bigger plot = More space to try things  :D
Last year I planted perennial cauliflowers, supposed to head up in spring, so waiting to see if they're worth their space.
This year, I've got
Mayan Gold and Arran Pilot potatoes.
Golden Gourmet shallots, Dulce de Fuentes sweet onions and Rosanna, pink onions,
Coco Sophie heritage, flat climbing beans, Lazy Housewife beans.
A mild variety of Rocket (the self-seeding plants in the greenhouse have become very bitter over the last few years) and Green Purslane.
Waltham Calabrese and Daubenton's perennial kale.

I wonder which will be keepers  ;)
Title: Re: New to you in 2019
Post by: Plot 1 Problems on January 04, 2019, 01:42
I was thinking about adding Lamb's Lettuce this year, anyone recommend it?
Title: Re: New to you in 2019
Post by: robinahood on January 04, 2019, 06:07
Plot1, I don't know if you have tried Claytonia,  but I did this year and had it as a garnish for Christmas day salmon, I would recommend it as a winter leaf. Back on topic, I haven't had time to do my seed list yet! Something to look forward to though....
Title: Re: New to you in 2019
Post by: mumofstig on January 04, 2019, 08:52
I was thinking about adding Lamb's Lettuce this year, anyone recommend it?

AKA Corn Salad or Mache it is easy to grow, I sow mine in the greenhouse borders for winter salad, although it will grow outside in all but the worst winter weather. It's lovely but you need to sow a lot of it because each plant is very small compared with lettuce and the like, but you sow at the time of year when your allotment beds are being cleared  :) Be warned any fussy allotment types who think they are experts, will think you are growing weeds  :lol:
Title: Re: New to you in 2019
Post by: DHM on January 04, 2019, 09:04
Nothing too wild for me, but I will be growing kohlrabi, sprouts and sweetcorn for the first time this year. I don't really know much about growing sweetcorn, so I'd better get swotting up! I've also been given some swede and turnip seeds which I haven't grown before, but I'm undecided as I'm not convinced they will be enthusiastically eaten!

I peel and cut swedes into batons and eat them raw as snacks, crunchy and peppery... lovely. Delicious dipped in red pepper hummous!
Title: Re: New to you in 2019
Post by: sunshineband on January 04, 2019, 16:49
A few things from the Seed Circle:

Syrian Black Broad Bean
Havana Gold Chilli
Wiltshire Green Pea
Lima Korai Heritage Tomato
Indian Sorrel (Chukka Koora)

The Wiltshire Pea is from Lettice's family, going way back, and I wonder if it is the same strain as "my" lot grew in Wltshire back in the day?
Title: Re: New to you in 2019
Post by: Mr Dog on January 04, 2019, 18:34
Cherokee beans, pink banana squash, Fat baby achocha and violette french beans are my planned newbies I think.  I am going to put a few swede and turnip back - they have been missing the last few years.  But ... there could be the odd impulse ... :blush:

Be aware that Fat Baby is quite thuggish and will go on the rampage given a chance. I've grown it once (although we did enjoy it gently fried with garlic) and it tried to take over my  raspberry bed.
Title: Re: New to you in 2019
Post by: Missey on January 04, 2019, 18:57
Picked up some Wilko seeds today trying - Florence fennel; multi coloured beetroot and multicoloured carrots and garlic new for me along with usual allotment offerings.  Oh will be trying sweet potatoes I’ve been reading threads on these so will be checking back to see when I need to soak them.

Just itching to get going but without a greenhouse I’ve a long while to wait yet.

Missey
Title: Re: New to you in 2019
Post by: Plot 1 Problems on January 04, 2019, 19:14
Thanks for the feedback on the Lamb's lettuce, sold on that now!
Title: Re: New to you in 2019
Post by: Silva on January 04, 2019, 21:24
Nothing too wild for me, but I will be growing kohlrabi, sprouts and sweetcorn for the first time this year. I don't really know much about growing sweetcorn, so I'd better get swotting up! I've also been given some swede and turnip seeds which I haven't grown before, but I'm undecided as I'm not convinced they will be enthusiastically eaten!

I peel and cut swedes into batons and eat them raw as snacks, crunchy and peppery... lovely. Delicious dipped in red pepper hummous!

I didn't know you could eat swede raw, thanks for the tip!

I forgot to mention I am also growing broccoli rabe, has anyone tried this who could comment on growing tips/flavour? I have read it can be bitter but I once had some 'friarelli' greens which I think are the same thing and they were delicious.
Title: Re: New to you in 2019
Post by: theothermarg on January 05, 2019, 08:04
Happy new year ! Have been just catching up on the thread
My newbie last year was Kohl rabi and it was very successful, I am still eating as it keeps well after pulling.
This year it's a type of very early sprouting broccoli called Rudolph (Kings) I already grow PSB and Flower sprouts so all the long term tall things shelter under the high netting in a group
Title: Re: New to you in 2019
Post by: New shoot on January 05, 2019, 11:07
I forgot to mention I am also growing broccoli rabe, has anyone tried this who could comment on growing tips/flavour? I have read it can be bitter but I once had some 'friarelli' greens which I think are the same thing and they were delicious.

I grew it last year and it was good.  It grows quickly and goes to seed quickly, so I did a few modules at a time and planted them out.  They need a part shaded spot over summer I found, although last year was exceptionally warm.

Harvested regularly while young they are not bitter.  I also grew Turnip Greens from Real Seeds which are a similar leafy green for cooking.  They were good as well.  Lots of fresh greens fast from just a few seeds.  I had a net tunnel going for months with successive crops  :)
Title: Re: New to you in 2019
Post by: rowlandwells on January 05, 2019, 19:27
I like to grow something new each year and this year its going to be cabbice said to be 90 to 100 days from planting to maturity

I hold my hands up I know very little  about this variety only what I've read in the seed catalogue
Title: Re: New to you in 2019
Post by: Silva on January 06, 2019, 18:48
I grew it last year and it was good.  It grows quickly and goes to seed quickly, so I did a few modules at a time and planted them out.  They need a part shaded spot over summer I found, although last year was exceptionally warm.

Harvested regularly while young they are not bitter.  I also grew Turnip Greens from Real Seeds which are a similar leafy green for cooking.  They were good as well.  Lots of fresh greens fast from just a few seeds.  I had a net tunnel going for months with successive crops  :)

Thank you, I will remember to sow a few at a time in that case :)
Title: Re: New to you in 2019
Post by: Eblana on January 06, 2019, 20:13
Loofah in the PT and Kalettes (Kale Sprouts) - had them in a restaurant and they were delicious.
Title: Re: New to you in 2019
Post by: DHM on January 06, 2019, 22:29
Loofah in the PT and Kalettes (Kale Sprouts) - had them in a restaurant and they were delicious.

Loofah? Wow!
Title: Re: New to you in 2019
Post by: Eblana on January 07, 2019, 08:57


Loofah? Wow!



Got the seed at the Eden Project don’t know if they will work but worth a try.
Title: Re: New to you in 2019
Post by: Hobovore on January 07, 2019, 10:13
All is new to me but I think my most interesting will be Linen flax. Going to try processing it into linen myself, and if it turns out O.K. dye it with some of the vege harvest.

Linen flax varieties are disappearing and are all but gone in the UK, just trying to keep it alive.
Title: Re: New to you in 2019
Post by: Silva on January 07, 2019, 19:51
All is new to me but I think my most interesting will be Linen flax. Going to try processing it into linen myself, and if it turns out O.K. dye it with some of the vege harvest.

Linen flax varieties are disappearing and are all but gone in the UK, just trying to keep it alive.

That sounds great. I am interested in flax processing and hope to grow it myself at some point too. Please post on here with an update on how it goes if you get the chance :D
Title: Re: New to you in 2019
Post by: andreadon on January 07, 2019, 22:41
I am planning to grow some sacrificial veg.
not sure what, but I'm digging as mich as I can, and want to put some leafy stuff in the bits I'm not digging -partly to loosen the earth and partly for green manure and/or chicken food....

I've got a few seeds goven to me by a friend, like perpetual spinach, pak Choi,  that kind of thing....
if it fails it fails, if it grows, there we go :D
Title: Re: New to you in 2019
Post by: Debz on January 08, 2019, 10:33
Got to try growing Celery this year according to the 5 year old.  She likes it - I think it's awful but I'll grow it for her.
Title: Re: New to you in 2019
Post by: theothermarg on January 09, 2019, 18:38
Loofah in the PT and Kalettes (Kale Sprouts) - had them in a restaurant and they were delicious.
Kalettes or Flower sprouts are very easy to grow but go tall and really need staking and yes are delicious in fact just had some of mine for my tea.  :tongue2: