[Maccbean]

Actually it's half an allotment.  The chap that has given half of it up has used it for 11 years and isn't sure if he wants to keep it or not, so I get to share while he decides.  He has given me a greenhouse to use (he has another), plus he has a 25ft polytunnel that I can use as much or as little as I want.  I'm delighted.  Of course, it's mid-September, so I'm aware that there isn't much I can do before next year.  I have some porcelain garlic to plant in October (outside?) but can't think of anything else.   Is there anything I can plant in the polytunnel that would be worthwhile to grow over the summer months?

[New shoot]

That sounds fantastic 

Garlic outside as it needs the cold to make cloves - you'll just get 1 big one otherwise.  You could plant Japanese or overwintering onions outside as well.  If you have bare earth, plant green manure now to overwinter and dig it in next year.  Mustard and winter grazing rye are OK for Sept sowings.  I've done both to protect the soil surface over winter in different areas of my plot.

It's a bit late but I did transplant spring cabbage, overwintering cauliflower and broccoli on my plot this week.  You can get baby plants from garden centres so worth a go, but you'll need to net them against pigeons.

In the polytunnel, you've got another couple of months of growing time, so salad crops, spring onions, oriental veg, even a late crop of spinich or chard would be worth it.  You could also overwinter crops to get a quick start next year like carrots.

[Jamie Butterworth]

Thats great news, good luck with your new plot, hopefully you might be able to get the other half  aswell

[madcat]

Don't wish the old fella into his box!    May they have many years happy co-gardening ....   

[Maccbean]

Don't wish the old fella into his box!    May they have many years happy co-gardening ....   

Actually, he's not an old fella, he's probably about the same age as me (so very young indeed)!  I think he's just very busy in other areas.  Of course, I have thought the same thing but wouldn't necessarily have said so.

Thanks Newshoot for the advice about the garlic, I haven't a clue.  I don't actually have to do any manuring (if that's a word) as he gets a ton of cow manure in and covers the whole plot for winter.  I think I might take your advice and plant some carrots this week.  I'll not plant onions though, as I've already decided to start seeds off in January to see the results after trying onion sets for the first time this year (semi successfully).

Cheers