[Sheena]

I know it's only May and I don't want to jump the gun, but last year (our first with an allotment) I left it too late to plant stuff in that would be harvested or planted over the winter.

I have some pumkins and winter squashes coming along nicely and will go in once the earlies come out. I also have some leeks to go in, brussels sprouts and cabbage (the last lot got eaten about a week ago by slugs :shock: )

What else could I try, we have lots of space to fill!

Thanks in advance for your replies!

[lucywil]

kale is good, we only had 3 plants last year but i have loads more coming up ready for this winter

[WG.]

garlic is planted in September
japanese onions the same

parsley can overwinter, as can many other herbs

[shaun]

and your spring cabbage and caulis

[Aidy]

My planting is as follows, sprouts and autumn cabbages are now in, spring greens, Kale and early purple broccoli will be at the end of june, as my early spuds are dug out I plant out bunches of 6 lisbon winter hardy spring onions. Onto Autumn and its garlic a little later than WG mine go in at the end of october.

[WG.]

Yup Aidy, garlic can really go in anytime between August and early December

If you plant it early, you can sow fenugreek on top.  This keeps down the weeds + you can eat it (chicken methi - yummy) + the frost kills off any you don't eat.

[dawninspain]

Please - what are Japanese onions?

[DD.]

They are onions that are planted in the autumn over here, grow slowly over our winter and then mature spring/early summer. They are ready before the 'standard' varieties, but they do not store well and have to be used quickly.

[flowerlady]

I also would NOT be without my 'Bright Lights' Chard and Perpetual Spinach both of these you can sow now and they will go through the winter and you can still be picking it this time next year ... then sow more of the same to continue on the next season!!!  

Bordeaux spinach you can sow March to May and then July to September ... not when it's hot as it will go straight to seed!  This stuff is also excellent picked tiny in salads

[dawninspain]

thanks Dave

[shirazcat]

Hi all,
          To add to the list, I grow cavalo nero, a variety of kale, sometimes grown in garden borders as it is quite an attractive plant. This was excellent through the winter, I was picking leaves right into March. Sow some now & then transplant out when they are big enough. I found that even on our pigeon infested site they didn`t get munched.

                                                                  Adrian.

[corndolly]

even on our pigeon infested site they didn`t get munched.


I will try some Kale this winter, good to hear that pigeons dont bother with these.

Does anyone know if rabbits will eat Kale and Spinach.

Do the plants need protection from butterlies /slugs?

[WG.]

Rabbits will eat both I suspect.

Cabbage white caterpillars eat curly kale

[DD.]

Rabbits will eat both I suspect.

Rabbits will eat owt!