Planning 2010 seed purchase

Hi this is our second season at the allotment, but we only got the plot mid way through last year so were always playing catch up. We had our fair share of successes and failures but it was always enjoyable to eat the fruits of your labour. To make sure that we keep on track this year I am now scouring the seed catalogues and plannind what to buy. As ever with these things I get tempted…………… and suddenly the list has far more seeds than my half plot will allow.

Anyway if it is alright below are my thoughts to date. I would really welcome any thoughts or opinions on varieties chosen and if there are any obvious omissions or improvements. If it helps the allotment is Surrey.

I should say that one thing we did learn in the first year is that any brassica becomes a snowstorm of white fly and tomatoes just get blight, so both are of the list. Salads we will just catch crop, if that is the right phrase.

Asparagus - Backlim
Asparagus - Gijnlim
Aubergine – Moneymaker
Aubergine – Bonica
Dwarf French Bean – Purple Teepee
Dwarf French Bean – Ferrari
Carrot – Maestro
Celeriac – Monarch
Chilli – Hungarian Hot Wax
Chilli – Praire fire
Courgette – Firenze
Courgette – Sylvania
Cucumber – Marketmore
Fennel – Amigo
Leek – Carlton
Mangetout – Oregon Sugar Pod
Sugarsnap Pea – Cascadia
Potato – Charlotte (salad)
Potato – Kondor (baking)
Squash – Sunburst
Squash – Hawk
Sweetcorn – Swift

As I said, too much

Onions, garlic and shallots are already in and sprouting!

Happy New Year,

Tim

Thanks for the advice on courgettes, it is noted. I do remember last year a continuous glut of courgette/ marrow. We seem to be able to store squashes so not such an issue there. In fact tonight we are having roasted veggies, including a squash that we made earlier.

I am now a bit worried about the aubergine/ chillis. We had limited success last year, just getting one aubergine per plant. I thought that it might have been because we were late getting the in and the second fruits were ripening just as the first frosts came.

sounds kinda like me i have bought enough seeds to last about 5 years!!! cant wait to get going

Asparagus - Backlim, Gijnlim  These are a long term commitment...  are you happy with that?  You wont see a crop for a couple of years.
Aubergine – Moneymaker, Bonica  I have completely failed with these outside and in a greenhouse.  They do need a good summer and to get properly warm for the flowers not just to rot.  If it was me - one for play and to see if you can in the green house, but not two and not outside.
Chilli – Hungarian Hot Wax, Praire fire  Need a hot window ledge or good greenhouse.
Courgette – Sylvania  Dont know this one - is it gold or round or
Cucumber – Marketmore  Good outdoors.  See another thread
Sugarsnap Pea – Cascadia  You can pick these early as mangetout I believe, if you are out of space
Potato – Charlotte (salad)  Good and reliable
Potato – Kondor (baking)  I would consider Kestral ...  easier to get hold of and were good for me this year.  Iain will be able to advise you on the best one for your site - do you have blight/slug problems?
Squash – Sunburst, Hawk  Dont know these - please report back on how you get on!

Wow - looks like we had beginner's luck with the aubergines, so I may scale back my ambitions to just a couple of plants and save precious space. I was thinking of making some sort of open topped pen in polythene for the chillis and aubergines to give them that bit of extra warmth and protection that they need, sounds like this might not be enough.

Asparagus - agreed it is a committment, I was intending to buy some crowns so that we could pick something next year. 

Madcat - the Sylvania courgette is just a standard shape, no idea now why I would want two of the same type. So back to the catalogues for something a bit more interesting............. any suggestions?

Southwells - Sweetcorn is my favourite crop. Last year I could not get over how much sweeter freshly picked was over shop bought and would be disappointed to just get one cob per plant. I think that I will switch from Swift to Lark. Looks equally tasty

How is everybody else getting on with their shopping list, would be great to compare notes.

Thanks for your help