[barbarella]

My peppers have just started to ripen in the last week and one of the jalapenos is now a perfect shiny red.  The Sweet Romanos (long and pointy) and California Wonder (box pepper) are not far behind and even the couple growing outside are at the same stage.  All the other greenhouse stuff has been ripe for weeks so I wonder if peppers just take longer? 

[diggerjoe]

I'm with Fisherman grow for what we actually need and use. Picked two more carriers beans and you can only freeze so much. Not bothering  with pumpkin next year this year they are still tiddlers and will not do much. Not growing chillies next year either as we rarely use them and I just wanted to see if I cold ripen them still all very green as are the peppers and I might give toms a miss they are only just starting to show colour.

[aelf]

I could say 'never again' to some crops but I know what I'm like - come next spring I will have changed my mind and be ready to try again 

God loves a tryer, and God knows I'm trying

[Paul Plots]

I could say 'never again' to some crops but I know what I'm like - come next spring I will have changed my mind and be ready to try again 

God loves a tryer, and God knows I'm trying

Mrs L says I'm very trying too sometimes. 

[slow_worm]

I think I will concentrate on Beans - french and runner...they always do well and are easy to grow and harvest.  Of course they freeze well too so gluts are no problem.
White rot in my onions an d garlic has put me off those for few years!!

[barbarella]

My efforts at freezing runner beans are always a disaster - I have tried blanching and non-blanching, timing with a stopwatch, cooling with ice - you name it.  The end result is always flabby and rubbery when cooked from frozen.  I have tried to pretend I just bought them at the supermarket, but the family always know and they get pushed to the side of the plate.  As for adding them to casseroles, I just don't fancy it. 

This year I have grown one small wigwam of runners and that would be enough, except that I have also grown  dwarf and climbing French beans as well and they are even more prolific!  I can't resist though, as they are so easy to grow but it is always exciting to see their little green heads poking through the compost (I am easy to please )

[Beklet]

I'm going to say no peas - tasted great but too many caterpillars in them 
Bet I sow more next year though especially as I have half a packet left...
Didn't get to the plot enough to harvest properly. I grew runner beans but didn't pick any - will definitely be growing chillis again they've been fantastic this year - wish I had a greenhouse though 

[JaK]

I don't think I will bother with sweetcorn next year as it has been a disaster this year. Maybe I'll grow some if I ever get that allotment.

[Give it a go]

I must end on a happy note My runner beans, beetroot,spring /onions and garlic were great. The leeks are doing very well and I should be able to crop rhubarb next year.

Not a bad first 9 months on an allotment

[doubledug]

minipop corn, lovely plants shame about the crop. so much effort for bog all return if you will excuse the expression.

[slowcompost]

I would say you should never say never again. For example, been sowing peas for years with little success, this year fantastic. 
It all depends on the weather, when you sow etc. etc.

My aim is to try as wide a range of produce as possible.  If a crop does well you'll get more fresh stuff than the average family needs on not much ground.

[barbarella]

My aim is to try as wide a range of produce as possible.  If a crop does well you'll get more fresh stuff than the average family needs on not much ground.

I agree - it's great isn't it?

[Paul Plots]

I agree too - nearly gave up on outside tomatoes after three years of bligh the "b" word but this year I'm pleased I stuck just a few outside - lovely flavour.

Keep trying and if at first you don't suck-seed then try and try again. 

[paintedlady]

No more potatoes on the plot, I harvested my king edwards today and they are a scabby slug riden sorry sight    

King Edwards are notorious for slug food (my first year at the allotment and again last year to see if it was just bad luck but have concluded they are not for my plot)  May I recommend Kestrel - a 2nd early crop but you can leave them and use as a maincrop.  For years I've only grown a few seed spuds (Wilkos 5 pack) and been very happy with them so this year bought a 1.5kg pack.  Rooster has also been very prolific despite a dry summer but they do seem to succumb to late blight readily -  however by the time you cut the haulms back, there are still plenty of good size unblemished potatoes to harvest.

Last year I said no more carrots but got a couple of freebie packets of seeds this year - the Royal Chantennay Red have been the best ever.  Broad beans this year were a total disaster - the overwintering crop crashed due to the snow/ice and the spring planted were overcome by blackfly but I suspect I'll be trying again regardless.

If I were to cross anything off my list, it's got to be aubergines.  Last year I grew Calliope F1 outdoors and was successful but all other varieties never amount to anything and just take up greenhouse space.

[strangerachael]

I'm going to say no peas - tasted great but too many caterpillars in them 

Peas are on their last chance next year, but I am going to try dwarf ones, grown under enviromesh tunnels. That way hopefully I won't need to build supports and they won't get riddled with maggots.