Winter Varieties? Also onion question.

[Kiwi_Soph]

Hey helgalush - I have been reading this with interest as I just bought my stack of seeds to grow through the colder months once my garden's summer romance ends. Like you the addiction has taken hold and I don't want to stop!

I found this website -More Veg Home - moreveg.co.uk, vegetable seed company, vegetable seeds, herb seeds, flower seedsquite good as I also have a smaller garden in pots and a trug and they sell seeds in managable numbers.

They don't have as huuuuuge a range as some of the big companies but my favourite bit is that they do sell small amounts of seed - I'm never going to have room in my trug for a thousand rocket seeds or even ten pumpkins. This lady however sells things like pumpkin in three-seed bags and carrots and radish by the hundreds rather than the thousands.

I have already planted some mini pumpkins and squash and courgette and had 100% germination and have my colder weather stuff ready for when I can put it in - everything came with really clear instructions and, sweetest of all, a hand-written note telling me to have happy gardening. Oh and I ordered late one wednesday night and got my seeds by the friday morning!

Sounds like I work for them now but I promise I am on the level, great service and great quantities for trug gardeners!

[Two_Sheds]

If you want to grow veg to crop in winter, ...do you need to select particular varieties that are designed to do this?

Others have answered you, I just wanted to say what I do: mostly I grow kale, chard & cabbages over winter. These need to be sown in May (ish) and planted out July (ish). I leave a quarter of my plot for these, they usually go in after the broad beans or early spuds.
They need to be netted against butterflies & pigeons

I also have winter-hardy lettuces: Rusty & Winter Gem which I leave to self-seed every year. Also radishes, which grow better for me in autumn than summer, and chinese veg

[Two_Sheds]

During the winter I'm eating a lot of stuff that I've stored: pumpkins, kidney beans, various frozen veg & pickles/jams/chutneys

I'm still eating last summer's sweetcorn from the freezer

[Helgalush]

Hey helgalush - I have been reading this with interest as I just bought my stack of seeds to grow through the colder months once my garden's summer romance ends. Like you the addiction has taken hold and I don't want to stop!

I found this website -More Veg Home - moreveg.co.uk, vegetable seed company, vegetable seeds, herb seeds, flower seedsquite good as I also have a smaller garden in pots and a trug and they sell seeds in managable numbers.

They don't have as huuuuuge a range as some of the big companies but my favourite bit is that they do sell small amounts of seed - I'm never going to have room in my trug for a thousand rocket seeds or even ten pumpkins. This lady however sells things like pumpkin in three-seed bags and carrots and radish by the hundreds rather than the thousands.

I have already planted some mini pumpkins and squash and courgette and had 100% germination and have my colder weather stuff ready for when I can put it in - everything came with really clear instructions and, sweetest of all, a hand-written note telling me to have happy gardening. Oh and I ordered late one wednesday night and got my seeds by the friday morning!

Sounds like I work for them now but I promise I am on the level, great service and great quantities for trug gardeners!

Thank you, that website sounds great and I have bookmarked it in my faves to have a good look through later. Its good that they only send you a few seeds with each purchase as I hate feeling like I might waste any seeds before their 'sow by' date. (Got carrot seeds coming out of my ears!)

Thanks for the advice!

[Helgalush]

Others have answered you, I just wanted to say what I do: mostly I grow kale, chard & cabbages over winter. These need to be sown in May (ish) and planted out July (ish). I leave a quarter of my plot for these, they usually go in after the broad beans or early spuds.
They need to be netted against butterflies & pigeons

I also have winter-hardy lettuces: Rusty & Winter Gem which I leave to self-seed every year. Also radishes, which grow better for me in autumn than summer, and chinese veg

Thank you for that, I have kale and swiss chard seeds (and some growing), thats useful to know.

I havent yet ever stored anything to last me - I usually eat it all as soon as its up, but then thats because I am growing things on such a small scale I guess.

[bronwen]

Interesting to read this thread, lots of helpful tips

[justgimmeethefaxmaam]

Hi
I've just had a delivery from this company.
The website has great suggestions for winter growing & has unusual varieties & small quantities.
Their ethos of seed saving is also worth reading, I for one will view seed saving as an essential from now on.
Great Vegetable Seeds from The Real Seed Catalogue