Winter crops

**jacob** · 08-07-2014, 12:44 PM

Are you sowing direct into the ground? Always find that's a dead loss at this time of year.

I'd try starting stuff off in small pots, somewhere which is awkward for the slugs and snails to get to.

**Noosner** · 08-07-2014, 01:05 PM

Yes, I'd start them in pots too and try to get them as big as possible before planting out, so that they really are decent sized plants, and make sure you water them well once planted out.

Having said that, my brassicas have been badly nobbled this year too, even though I did the above (well, mostly!) I wonder if the mild winter has made for more bugs than usual?

**BertieFox** · 08-07-2014, 02:27 PM

Agree with everybody above, start them in modules and transplant into 3 or 4 inch pots until well grown. They will get a much better establishment and you can space them out exactly as required at this stage, ready for winter.

I'm about to sow Red Russian kale and various other kales for winter too.

**sparrow100** · 08-07-2014, 04:25 PM

I'm just sowing PSB, kale etc for winter, but like others, in a place that slugs find hard to reach and cabbage whites can't get into. ie the shed.

**Chippy Minton** · 08-07-2014, 05:16 PM

Originally posted by Bex View Post

..... At what point do you give up? ....

Never, ever, EVER give up

We shall fight them on the beaches, in the lotties, the raised beds and the potages, WE shall fight the in the towns, and the villages and in the fields...

Slugs

**Bex** · 08-07-2014, 09:32 PM

Originally posted by Chippy Minton View Post

Never, ever, EVER give up

We shall fight them on the beaches, in the lotties, the raised beds and the potages, WE shall fight the in the towns, and the villages and in the fields...

Slugs

I won't give up chippy, I've just sown another tray and put on window sill. I was sowing direct but now know too many peskie pests about.

Just hope I'm not too late

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**kathyd** · 09-07-2014, 07:13 AM

Originally posted by Bex View Post

I won't give up chippy, I've just sown another tray and put on window sill. I was sowing direct but now know too many peskie pests about.

Just hope I'm not too late

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Are you sowing them indoors Bex? I've got mine in small pots on a table outside at the moment... I'd worry it might get a bit hot on a windowsill? Mind you, with all the rain we've had recently, mine have been in danger of being washed away! The seeds are now clearly visible on top of the soil, but at least I can see they have little roots beginning to show

. The ones I planted earlier are sitting in their pots under debris netting with other seedlings, so protected from cabbage root fly which attacked last year's tiny 2" seedlings and made them keel over, and from butterflies, but I've not yet found the perfect solution for slugs

. I must try stinky garlic water again, but remember to keep re-applying it after rain this time. Duh.

In terms of being 'too late', the packets are only a guideline.. I'm still sowing stuff that should have been planted in June, and my polytunnel book says you can sow sprouting broccoli to the end of July for growing under cover over the winter (to be kept in pots until the summer stuff moves out I assume

).

**arpoet** · 09-07-2014, 10:32 AM

Its too warm to sow indoors or in the sun of greenhouse.... I sow and keep my winter veg plants and seedling under a lean to between 2 greenhouse. part shady and lots of airflow. Will be sowing spring cabbage at the end July.

**Bex** · 09-07-2014, 06:56 PM

Too hot indoors, getting eaten outdoors lol I'm at a loss, might just buy some plug plants 😉

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**Bill HH** · 09-07-2014, 07:29 PM

I grew some cabbages in the poly last year and planted them out when about 6 inches tall in septemberish. They were devastated by everything, birds, slugs and caterpillars until they were just stumps. I kept meaning to pull them up but didn't. Come spring and they turned into lovely cabbages just like the ugly duckling.

**Bex** · 09-07-2014, 07:31 PM

Originally posted by Bill HH View Post

I grew some cabbages in the poly last year and planted them out when about 6 inches tall in septemberish. They were devastated by everything, birds, slugs and caterpillars until they were just stumps. I kept meaning to pull them up but didn't. Come spring and they turned into lovely cabbages just like the ugly duckling.

It's amazing how plants can recover. I'm going to persevere. Thanks Bill you've inspired me

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