Planning a year of veg growing

Alfietinker

I've grown veg for the couple of years but only for fun really. I'd end up with gluts of courgettes and tomatoes when they're at their cheapest to buy, and millions of lettuces because they 'looked nice in a row'. A lot went to waste that way.

This year I'm aiming to really save money on veg and wonder how to make the most from my plot?

For instance, I'm looking at a seed catalogue and there are 2 pages of carrots with different cropping times. Would I need to buy lots of varieties of the same veg to ensure a continuing supply?

How do you you lot go about planning the year?

I'm aiming to save as much money as possible on the more expensive veg - ie onions are so cheap I won't bother, but peppers and broccoli can be more expensive.

I have 4 raised beds, a cold frame, a greenhouse and lots of pots.

Any suggestions welcome!

serena

Can I suggest a book that may help? You should be able to get Joy Larkcom's book Grow Your own Vegetables from the library. It lists all veggies, and gives them a Value for Space rating. It also gives a couple of cropping plans which would help.

Obviously, don't bother growing things that you and the family don't like eating! (We've all done it!).

I would concentrate some effort on things that are expensive in the supermarket, or which taste much better when really fresh. The best example here would be sweetcorn, where the sugar starts turning to starch the minute it is picked. Peas, broad beans (always too big and disgusting from shops), oriental veggies (great for follow on crops after shallots for eg because you can sow them in July when you've harvested the earlier crops.

Hope this helps - I can go for hours if I am allowed!

All the best,

Serena. (PS Next week I am going to be sowing round carrots Parmex, and spring onions in small modules, about six seeds in each in the greenhouse, to plant out under cloche for early harvest)

spalding

If your looking at saving money shop around for your seeds the seed catalogues can often work out expensive

spalding

Have a look at this thread for places to buy seeds http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showthread.html?t=140206&highlight=seeds

calleyw

spalding wrote:

If your looking at saving money shop around for your seeds the seed catalogues can often work out expensive

Best time to buy seeds is at the end of the season. I find wilkinsons at the end of the season sell for 75% off. So means you get lots of cheap seeds and you normally have at least a year some times two years in which to plant.

And best to plant little and often. So that you have they at all different stages.

need to get my backside in to gear and start my planning.


Yours


Calley

spalding

calleyw wrote:

Best time to buy seeds is at the end of the season. I find wilkinsons at the end of the season sell for 75% off.

Got stacks for this season in there sale but you gotta be quick!!

Netto's also had 19p packs of DT Brown seeds last week which our great value

Alfietinker

Thanks everyone. I've got a couple of veggy books which include everything from mustard-cress to melons, but it assumes you know about crop rotation and planning and so only touches on it.

I'm going to look at that recommended book in the library tomorrow.

We've decided we'd like to grow lots of broccoli and calabrese, as we eat these by the bucket load. My book says to start them in a seed bed and transplant later. I haven't got anywhere for a seedbed, so could I start them off in pots/modules instead? I guess it would be the same, as long as I keep them well watered.

I'm going through my old seed supply (listed on a separate thread) to see what I can salvage. Then I'm on the hunt for cheap seeds. I've got a £5 T&M voucher, hence the seed catalogue, but after that I'm bargain hunting. I think there's a Netto somewhere near work.

Could anybody tell me if I need several varieties of brocolli/calabrese/carrots to extend the season? Or could I make successional sowings with one variety?

D&DD

Hi Alfie if you have a greenhouse you could still be growing lettuce now.I have some outside as long as you get the right varieties they'll be fine.With the carrots small,successional sowing is the key.Most varieties can be sown from march onwards right thru summer.I transplant all my broccoli from starter pots as I too don't have space for a seedbed,they'll be fine.Check out https://www.downsizer.net or the rivercottage forums as they have month by month guides to what you should be sowing now.They are also great for telling you how to preserve those lovely homegrown veggies too!!

D&DD

P.S they also have free seed swaps!!

Alfietinker

Thank you DD - I had no idea I could get lettuces in winter - see, up until now I've only done things for fun. This is where I need to get my planning in I guess.

On another thread I asked if my old seed would be OK and it was suggested I try germinating some on kitchen paper to test the germination rate. If my lettuce sprouts, could I then sow these in my greenhouse and have fresh salad in a few weeks? Wow!!! (It's just a mixed salad leaves pack).

I'm gonna have fun this year!!!! (That and the chickens arriving in the summer - we'll be self-sufficient yet )

Edit: I've just looked on Downsizer and it looks fab - off to take a proper peek

calleyw

Alfietinker wrote:

Thank you DD - I had no idea I could get lettuces in winter - see, up until now I've only done things for fun. This is where I need to get my planning in I guess.

There is one called lambs/corn lettuce that can be grown all year around.

Saw that wilkinsons had some in the Johnsons range which was on bogof.


Yours


Calley