New to the plot

[vegplot]

Hi folks. I have taken on my first allotment, I have no experience at all. Can any one please advise me what vegetables I can plant now that will be ready for christmas? I had been on a allotment waiting list for years and now at the age of 60 I got one. I can't believe how excited I am at getting started at my age. !!

cheers:

[Newton]

Congrats vegplot and welcome to the vine. You will get loads of advice here from a bunch of grapes who are great.

It's a bit late for most things now but autumn carrots, late peas maybe, Christmas potatoes if you have a greenhouse. Kale, radish, lettuce...etc

Have fun. It's been my first year too on the other side of the Dee......I will give you a wave!!

[rustylady]

If you can get hold of any plug plants then you can put in cabbage, kale. Not much will be ready for Xmas I'm afraid. Best thing you can do is get the plot ready for next year. Come September/October you can plant out overwintering onions, but again they won't be ready to harvest till June next year. What sort of state is your plot in?

[Two_Sheds]

As they've said ^, most things have to be in the ground by July really ... sprouts, PSB, cabbage and so on.

The days are shortening now, so you can sow a few very quick salads perhaps. Otherwise, green manures to cover your soil; then broad beans & overwintering onions/garlic in Oct/Nov

[Corris]

Hi and welcome from me.

is it ready to put things in then?

I've just started my first gardening foray (in a vegetable sense) - and all I've managed so far is to cut down the nettles and thistles on less than half - and that's taken me four weeks.

[PMW]

Just came across this thread from last month and wondered if its too late now to plant out Kale plug plants to be ready to harvest this winter?

[Two_Sheds]

You'll get something off them, you've still got a good month's growing if Sept stays fine

[WendyC]

I've just sown some lettuce "Winter Density" and some Mizuna. With a bit of covering the Mizuna has a few leaves to pick through the winter. The same with the lettuce or leave it to heart up in the spring. I'm further south than you but it just had a net tunnel for protection and was fine even under quite a bit of snow. Even if you can't get much planted at least you can take your time to get the plot ready over the Autumn and Winter and be raring to go in the Spring. Better than getting the plot in the Spring and wasting planting time getting it ready. Depends how much clearance it needs.

[pauco]

Hi Vegplot, welcome to the Vine from me too, if your plot needs working to get it right, whynot spend your time getting things ready for a new start next spring. Spend some time reading the posts on growing
veg, some great advice on here, whatever you decide just enjoy it. You have the best time to come yet.

paul.

[Florence Fennel]

I've some kale plants going in this week PMW, so not too late in my opinion.

[Aberdeenplotter]

I can't believe how excited I am at getting started at my age. !!

cheers:

Just goes to show that the child in us stays with us through life. I can say that safely as I'm the same age Absolutely great that you have managed to get an allotment. Getting to be a bit late to expect to get anything from your plot this year, maybe best to concentrate in getting it into strip for 2012

[vegplot]

Hello Rusty Lady.
Thanks for the advice, I'll get onto the onions this weekend. The plot is now good to go.
Thanks again. Help and advice allways appreciated.

[vegplot]

Thanks for the welcome Paul. Good and sound advice. (which will always be appreciated)

Bernie.

[vegplot]

Thank you Wendy.
Good sound help and advice, much appreciated.
Bernie

[vegplot]

Thank you, much appreciated.
Bernie