Winter sowing advice. Wanting to get a head start for a productive garden next year.

Davesnave

Rules are there to be broken, but as someone who also plays at farming, I appreciate the time off from growing plants for a few months, so I can do hedging and fence repairs, logging etc.

There are different sorts of Mizuna, or maybe some are really mustards? Anyway, I keep the very fine leaved ones I have in green and dark red by saving the seeds.

I also agree about getting plenty of seeds in. Not clear what's on the menu in 2021 but chaos and uncertainty looks a fair bet!

Jjah

I wasn't sure which variety they were so just screenshot it   It just says oriental Mizuna and green komatsuna.

The mustard seeds I'm going to try growing for greens are just part of my bulk buys from the Indian shop.  I consume a huge quantity of seeds and legumes as meat substitites (or soaking, sprouting, dukkah etc) so I have a disposable amount to play with.  It will be great if some take

I'd like to try with soy beans too.  Fresh edamame would be fantastic!!!!!!  So many larder staple experiments on the horizon

Saving seeds is somethimg I've never done and ought to try.  

It sounds like you are living the self sufficient dream, davesnave!  I'm very impressed. 

Life goals to aspire to, for sure

Davesnave

The mizuna I grow in much more divided and frillier than the one in your picture, but it probably doesn't taste any better, just looks pretty.

We aren't self sufficient or anywhere near it, but it's nice to produce some wood for heating, eggs and other food. When we lived in the city we dreamed of owning some land, and now we do, but it keeps us poor!

DiggerUK

The onion seeds we used were 'Red Baron', 'Bedfordshire Champion' and 'Exhibition'. Will use the same again, just hope they germinate as well. Make sure you put them in the greenhouse when there is some warmth about, otherwise start indoors.

The sets planted in late September  this year were 'Autumn Champion' and the garlic was 'Thermidrome' we got them from the garden centre. All showing well.

Last year we used 'Shensyu' onion and 'Cepa' garlic sets. Got a good crop, but tiny and fiddley  to cook with. They didn't go in until the end of November though..._

Jjah

Thanks diggerUK.  I've just looked at the onion seed packet and it says stuttgarter riesen.  It's a gamble but it'll be fun to see what comes up

I don't mind small onions as they can be convenient if only using for an individual sandwich or salad

I got another 50 litre bag of compo just from b&q so will be out pottering again shortly outside.

Whilst there, I went next door to Aldi and they were selling sprouts, potatoes, carrots, parsnips and seeded for 14p!!!!

14p!!!!!!!

I got a pretty decent amount to which i will be adding and thought it's worth storing in my shed for the next few weeks.

Hardly worth growing at that price

Farway

Jjah said:

Whilst there, I went next door to Aldi and they were selling sprouts, potatoes, carrots, parsnips and seeded for 14p!!!!

14p!!!!!!!

Any one who fancies saving seed & growing parsnips where fresh seed is much better, now would be a good time to get some 14p parsnips, eat some but plant a couple in the border, or spare areas

Parsnips are bi-annuals, plant the root now & during summer it will grow a tall stalk with a flat yellow flowered  top, loved by hover flies & pollinators

Let them do their job, save the seeds & sow immediately, even if you just left them to it you'll get self seeding parsnips popping up

Jjah

Farway said:

Jjah said:

Whilst there, I went next door to Aldi and they were selling sprouts, potatoes, carrots, parsnips and seeded for 14p!!!!

14p!!!!!!!

Any one who fancies saving seed & growing parsnips where fresh seed is much better, now would be a good time to get some 14p parsnips, eat some but plant a couple in the border, or spare areas

Parsnips are bi-annuals, plant the root now & during summer it will grow a tall stalk with a flat yellow flowered  top, loved by hover flies & pollinators

Let them do their job, save the seeds & sow immediately, even if you just left them to it you'll get self seeding parsnips popping up

Genius!!!!!
Absolute genius suggestion 

Thank you

twopenny

I can' only add to this thread of exciting things that I plant onion sets down here in October/November when it's wet.

They flourish and put on weight before the cold then mature early. But this is in Somerset by the coast and a sheltered garden.

Ive only just finished picking the last of the raspberries and get the odd strawberry around Christmas so there's not much gap for extras.

Not sure where I've got room for parsnips but I love that idea as much as I love roast parsnips

Jjah

Thanks twopenny

I definitely plan to plant onions earlier next year as it seems successful after hearing you peeps.

Wow! Incredible that you still have the odd raspberry. 
I am seeing the last of Falls Gold raspberries.  They crop twice and last a long time.  Big yellow juicy fruits but very leggy plants which takes over an entire side of the brick shed.

A coastal region in Somerset sounds like bliss.  Do you forage sea plants? 

I have dulse powder on my wish list for vegan 'crab' cakes but I think I would forage if I lived near the coast for freebies

elle_may

Went into my side garden and i noticed my spring bulbs, daffs and crocuses are coming through now. Bit baffled that my tulip ones are too. I'm sure they are summer ones. And i live in the northeast not known for good weather. Any one else noticed theirs.