Topic: A few random questions RE: veg' plants

[Digitalis]

1- I'm going to put my King Edwards in this week. I previously put some Maris Peer in, but I did them in 'mounds' rather than rows and ridges. How do you plant them in rows and ridges, and ensure that the plant grows out at the top of the ridge?

2- How big will cucumber plats grow? Eg- how much space will 3 of them take up?

3- Can I sow broad bean seeds direct into the bed next month, once it is warmer?

4- Finally, what do you suggest I plant in the space occupied by my Maris Peers once I've harvested them?

Thanks!

[lucyfoo]

1. you cant, they will come out the side, top and every where you dont want them but once they really start growing it really doesnt matter

2. i'll have to leave that to some one else

3. i am hoping to be picking my broad beans next month, June seems a bit late to be sowing them but they might catch up.

4. leeks or purple sprouting broccoli

[saddad]

We use one cucumber plant per 2' pane of glass in the greenhouse...  :)

[Robert_Brenchley]

If they're outside, I put them 18 inches apart.

[Digitalis]

My seed packet for the broad beans says that I can sow right up to July......?

[betula]

Bung em in ;D

With a nice warm soil they should get going fine :)

[Suzanne]

I sow some more broad beans now as well (Red Epicure), because I love the flavour and the season from overwintered ones and early spring sown ones seems fairly short.

When I lift my first earlies I generally add some more chicken pellets and plant out my leeks. Not sure whether this is correct or not in terms of rotation but works for me.

[Eristic]

1. To get spuds (or anything else) in nice straight rows you need to use an old fashioned technique called discipline and string lines. Dig holes along the line and plant the spuds in the holes. Once shoots have emerged and grown sufficiently tall, then mound up the soil against them using a hoe. Simple.

2. The height of cucumbers will vary considerably according to type and conditions. Outdoor varieties would typically grow 4-6 ft tall on supports.

3. I would save the broad bean seed for next Feb as they tend to fail to form beans if we have a heat wave.

4. Lots to plant for overwintering. Leeks, Jap onions, garlic, broad beans, and several brassica if previously started off elsewhere.

[betula]

I still think the broad beans are worth a go :)

[Robert_Brenchley]

Give it a try, it can't do any harm.

[Tee Gee]

I'm with Eristic!

[ajb]

3. I sowed my broadbeans this time last year - got a full harvest off them and next to no blackfly problems.

4. Pak choi (these were great the year I remembered them, harvested for stir fry in Dec!),  lettuce / salad leaves, or spring cabbage. 

[Deb P]

I also save a bit of room for some late summer flowers, calendulas, sunflowers and zinneas......they will still be attractive in late sept/oct.