New allotment, what winter crops can still go in?

Jonboy_1984

I have unexpectedly come to the top of the list for a local allotment and am off to view a plot on Sunday. 

Assuming we can get some beds prepared quickly (apparently the plot they are splitting is quite overgrown as the previous tenant became unwell), does anyone have suggestions as to what winter crops I can still get in later this month?

E.g I would like to get some potato’s in, but am aware they are normally sown in May so wonder what varieties might work in late June?

twopenny

My brassicas are still tiny in pots. They don't like hot weather and it was too wet before.
This happened last year and while not as big as usual I got a decent crop.
Garden centres will be selling them off cheap shortly so nip in quick and pot on some plugs.

I've often popped potatoes in late. You don't get such a big crop but they are good for clearing the ground.

See how friendly the other plot holders are. They may come up with excess small plants to share. Clearing overgrown is a good introduction for a chat.
Also ask what grows well there. And what was grown on site before you had it. All will give you a head start.

ArbitraryRandom

I can't help, but I suspect an indication of where you are in the country (and so the likely length of your growing season) might help people who do know give better advice?

Jonboy_1984

Thanks for the tips @twopenny , not that we need any encouragement to visit a garden centre

Based on the Oxfordshire/Berkshire border area.

twopenny

Where my family spent many generations farming. Unfortunately it was sheep and root crops not potatoes!

I do know it gets colder there in Jan and Feb so brassicas will be able to tough it out.
Kale, purple sprouting cabbage and cauli. Even sprouts which taste quite different from fresh. Tender and sweet.
One tip I was given with them was to tread the soil around them and walk over it. That works.

You could give parsnips and carrots a go. Lots of seed packets going cheap at the mo.
Don't hang around though. All shops and gc provide stuff earlier than we want and finish about now in favour of bbq stuff/Halloween/Christmas.

Reddleman79

Brassicas, leeks, carrots and beetroot should be fine, if you buy garden centre brassicas and leeks. 

RAS

If you can get some beds cleared quickly, and have a decent water supply. Strim and remove the top growth (check for soft fruit first).

Lettuce, French beans, spring onions, a late broad been crop, or plant Valenciana for an early crop next spring, beetroot, Swiss chard, winter salad, endive, chicories, mustards, mizuna. Late peas, and mangetout which will crop until winter storms knacker them.  Anyone got a courgette or squash plant going spare?  

Leeks, sow NOW at home and transplant later. They will be a 2-3 cm not 5cm next spring. 

And locate a source of autumn sown onions and garlic

ArbitraryRandom

That's a point. If the previous plot holder was unwell then you might find some 'volunteer' crops to tend/harvest if you're careful in (still quickly) clearing! 

FreeBear

Wait until later this year, and plant some early potatoes - If you time it right, you can have new potatoes with your christmas dinner. I have some old purple spuds that I plant up around October in a big pot for just this reason. But late autumn & early winter is usually pretty  mild in these parts.

Sapindus

Black Spanish or China Rose radishes can be sown July-September.  I always put my field beans in in the autumn, and garlic.  Try some green manures like buckwheat and clover, corn salad and land cress also make good ground cover over winter and are edible as a bonus.

Jonboy_1984

Thanks for all the comments.

Have made some notes and will see what the (choice of) plot brings tomorrow.