[plum crumble]

Hi - do you think I am too late to grow some seeds for spring cabbage? I am in the South East (Slough). This is my first year on the allotment, and I am pleased to have had a great crop of spuds, beans, onions etc. However, there is a lot of bare earth now, and I wanted to put in some over-wintering crops (I will also build a brassica netting tunnel - the cabbage white have devastated my sprouts!). What else can I be planting now/rest of autumn? Any advice gratefully received!!

[chili]

same as you m8 first year. i believe we can plant cauil's now least thats what it says on my seed pkt onions and garlic in oct/nov ish

[DD.]

A reminder:

Please avoid using text speak.

[hamstergbert]

Might be best to try and get hold of plugs instead, probably a little later than ideal for sowing seeds.

On the other hand, for the sake of two penn'orth of seed, could be worth a try if you have the bare earth space to take a punt at it.  If you don't get hearted cabbages when you would expect them, redesignate some as spring greens. Almost certainly you would get something out of it.  (And save the rest of the ludicrously over the top number of seeds to sow at the right time next year... and the year after.... and the year after...)

[Paul Plots]

I' going to have a go at sowing spring cabbage now.... in paper-pots ready to plant out whenever they look big enough.

As you say - if it doesn't work it's only a few coppers for the seed. 

[Celtic Eagle]

You should be able to pick some plants up at a nursery it is a bit late to be sowing seed you could try to overwinter in a cold frame but you would still get small plants.  I've done the same with this leeks sowed too late I'll get a crop but much smaller than it should be.

[Bombers]

Well I've just sown Durham Earlies today.  I know, Its late. 
but I lost the first lot (drowned) and I'm damned if i'm spending my hard earned moolie on 'garden centre' plugs.

[plum crumble]

thanks for your thoughts. Think I will try both! I will do seeds tonight in paper, but also take a look for plugs - have just seen some on ebay  - 10 bare-rooted Wintergreen plants for 99p plus £1.45 P&P. that's got to be a good deal, don't you think?

[Jonajo]

I sowed some in little pots a few weeks ago and popped them on the window sill, along with Alpen cauliflower. Each is doing nicely, several leaves on them all and going to plant out in a couple of weeks - under fleece tunnels to protect.

When I was did a garden centre crawl at two of my local garden centres at the weekend they each had LOADS of plug plants, including the above. Cheap, too, so might be worth look at one of your local ones.

[Paul Plots]

thanks for your thoughts. Think I will try both! I will do seeds tonight in paper, but also take a look for plugs - have just seen some on ebay  - 10 bare-rooted Wintergreen plants for 99p plus £1.45 P&P. that's got to be a good deal, don't you think?

Around 95p per 10 at one local nursery.... no postage just a   l o n g   cycle ride.