Author Topic: Anyone growing more or different stuff next year because of brexit?  (Read 4317 times)

cambourne7

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Hi

Yes this is an edible food question but i though it might go off in a tangent so popped it into the shed.

I am certainly growing more carrots, peas, beans, onions and garlic than last year and maybe more potatoes. Also going to look at growing more salad crops well different ones as they were a disaster this year.

What are other people doing differently next year?

Cam

galina

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Re: Anyone growing more or different stuff next year because of brexit?
« Reply #1 on: October 04, 2018, 11:19:01 »
Are you talking contingency food supply? 

In which case I would start now.  In the greenhouse or under cloches, sow now or broadcast seeds (as tomato plants etc are presumably still in place) for greens.  Easiest and hardiest are rocket, cress and lambs lettuce.  Mustard, especially red mustard, carrots for very early carrots next year, coriander, ordinary lettuce, cress, the asian veg like Mitsuna etc. There are also radishes and turnips that will get going early in the year.  Turnips can be sown now but will probably only be good for the greens, which can be cooked.  These are pretty winter hardy, especially under cloches or in a poly or greenhouse.  They will go dormant for a while, but as soon as growing starts again in spring next year, they will produce a lot of foliage for fresh greens or cooking greens.  Chard also goes through winter well, might be worth chucking a bit of fleece on any plants in the garden to prevent too many leaves being killed by frost.  The centre will resprout in spring even after a hard frost, but keeping most of the leaves going over winter gives another fresh green food. 

Another easy one is mung beans for sprouting on the window sill indoors.  Mung bean seeds bought now will last for several years and you only need a heaped table spoon of seeds for a good portion of bean sprouts for a family.  They come from the supermarket or health food shop and are much cheaper than anything bought as 'seed'.  Mustard seed makes good windowsill 'cress' in just a few days.  Again bought not as seed but as food which is a lot cheaper.  Any seeds for sprouting will bridge that gap before garden produce will be plentiful again.   

I guess it will be the fresh greens that might be scarce, with the rootcrops like carrots, potatoes and swedes remaining available as they are UK grown. 

Would not hurt to lay by a few packets of dried peas and dried beans.  For eating, but ordinary dried peas produce pea shoots for an early veg too.  And peas and beans have a high protein content also. 

Beans, squash and corn are said to be a balanced diet.  Any winter squash harvested should not be eaten now, but stored for as long as possible into the new year to bridge a gap if necessary.

Now is also the time to look into food preservation.  Drying, freezing, putting up in kilner jars and storing well for long preservation. 

Next year I would look into winter veg as well as the usual summer veg, leeks, kale, brussels, parsnip, cabbage.  Plan for the year round garden where you can harvest food every day of the year.  :wave:

« Last Edit: October 04, 2018, 11:39:43 by galina »

Obelixx

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Re: Anyone growing more or different stuff next year because of brexit?
« Reply #2 on: October 04, 2018, 11:45:15 »
I'd be more worried about the effects of this year's drought on prices for home produced crops such as onions, carrots, potatoes as UK farmers are reporting crops down by 30 to 60% depending on the crop and area.   

After that look at where the main crops you buy in shops are sourced and think about growing the stuff that comes from Spain/France/Italy/Netherlands - so peppers, salads, tomatoes, herbs, apples, oranges etc.  Even if supplies aren't disrupted, prices are likely to rise until the pound starts to recover value against the Euro.
Obxx - Vendée France

Plot 18

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Re: Anyone growing more or different stuff next year because of brexit?
« Reply #3 on: October 04, 2018, 11:50:13 »
What veg from the EU do you normally buy? Surely these are the only things you need to add to your usual growing list.

In my mind, the only things that we might be short of are early tomatoes (some, but not all, imported from EU) and some of the leafy salad crops, that you may be used to buying in bags.
We can't grow the tomatoes out of season, but huge greenhouses like Thanet Earth grow toms all year round, although they may be more expensive because of any shortage. Winter salads are easy enough to grow through winter, given some protection.
I've already sown more early Spring cabbage and Chard than normal, and will sow a few more early mangetout in the greenhouse than usual.

I really don't think it's anything worth losing sleep over though..

ACE

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Re: Anyone growing more or different stuff next year because of brexit?
« Reply #4 on: October 04, 2018, 14:23:22 »



I really don't think it's anything worth losing sleep over though..
   I am of the same opinion, I wish I had all the bulls#!t that has been spouted over Brexit. I could grow all my veg then. Dig for Victory saw us through worse than what's predicted. The price will go up as opportunists and the quick buck boys take advantage of the gullible. Like everything else if I think it's a rip off I shop elsewhere.

Tee Gee

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Re: Anyone growing more or different stuff next year because of brexit?
« Reply #5 on: October 04, 2018, 14:28:43 »
Quote
The price will go up as opportunists and the quick buck boys take advantage of the gullible.

Totally agree!

The only thing I plan on doing differently is as I have mentioned elsewhere....I am giving up my allotment!

However I am planning a more edible / ornamental garden with a mix of the things I like to eat along with the flower types I like to grow.

So I do not envisage a great deal of difference from the past other than quantities!

Obelixx

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Re: Anyone growing more or different stuff next year because of brexit?
« Reply #6 on: October 04, 2018, 17:22:39 »
I have grown masses of tomatoes this year and have enjoyed platters of red, orange and yellow beef tomatoes with a splash of dressing or on a cheesy tart.  Kilos and kilos of them from teeny little plants bought at a plant fair in April.

Yesterday we saw them on sale for 18€95 a kilo and just the red and orange ones and not organic.   That's a reason to grow your own that's far more pertinent than Brexit.
Obxx - Vendée France

ancellsfarmer

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Re: Anyone growing more or different stuff next year because of brexit?
« Reply #7 on: October 04, 2018, 21:40:26 »
Well, Brussels sprouts are out!

Seriously, can anybody seriously believe that exporters are not going to supply us? Has anybody got any reason to believe that we would refuse to accept as imports, anything that we have always received?
Unless the civil war here really does kick off; its business as usual. Fake news.
« Last Edit: October 04, 2018, 21:44:47 by ancellsfarmer »
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Beersmith

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Re: Anyone growing more or different stuff next year because of brexit?
« Reply #8 on: October 04, 2018, 22:32:42 »

Seriously, can anybody seriously believe that exporters are not going to supply us?


I fully agree. The issue will be at what price? A lot of folks are struggling to get by as it is. A hefty increase in food prices will come as another kick in the teeth for many.  Let's hope it doesn't pan out in that way.
Not mad, just out to mulch!

Tee Gee

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Re: Anyone growing more or different stuff next year because of brexit?
« Reply #9 on: October 04, 2018, 23:50:58 »
Does anyone else think as I do and that is:

In my opinion The 'hard Brexit issue' is simply a deterrent by certain factions in the EU.

If we get an easy route out then all those countries such as Greece,Italy,Netherlands and Spain to name but a few who I think are sitting in the wings waiting to see how the UK is dealt with so that they can get out too.

If we get an easy way out then I think they will put in their application to leave the EU and expect the same. The countries. I have mentioned are also affected by ' borders' so the Irish issue could be a test case.

Then of course if these countries were to leave there would be a massive big hole in EU funding meaning countries such as Germany and France would have to dig deep to fund the drop in revenue and then I am sure they will not want that.

Is it any wonder that those MEP's in Brussels are being difficult, where will they be if the EU goes 'pear shaped'......out of a job!

Something  I have often wondered is: have other countries also sent 'failed' politicians the likes of;  Kinnock,Patten,Britten, to name a few to run the show and this is why it is a bit of a closed shop and must be kept together?

The is the centenary year of WW1 where thousands gave their lives to keep Britain independent of Europe and we find people like those I have mentioned are fighting to save their cushy well paid jobs jobs,not their lives in order to oppose our freedom.

Let's get out and put the ' Great' back into Britain and show them we can hold our own in the world.

Then when we have done that let's get our Parliamentary system changed to one that is fit for purpose!


Sorry folks for going all political but the whole issue is p*****g me off a bit!  :BangHead: :drunken_smilie:



Obelixx

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Re: Anyone growing more or different stuff next year because of brexit?
« Reply #10 on: October 05, 2018, 07:19:53 »
The First World War was not fought to keep Britain out of Europe.   It was about Britain respecting its treaties, accords and commitments to its allies.   After the 2nd World War it was Churchill who suggested that Europe needed to unite to prevent further conflagrations and it began with the Italian Belgian coal treaty and things like Benelux and grew from there.   It was fine when it was an economic alliance but politicians have taken the political unity too far for everyone except themselves.

Many French don't like this aspect, many Dutch, Swedes, Poles, Germans, Italians etc.   On the other hand, it has been a great force for economic good and allowed development of infrastructure in countries that wouldn't otherwise have afforded it , especially the south and now the east.  This leads t expanded markets for the richer countries so is a win win.  It even funded lots of regional stuff in Britain and provided annual subsidies to projects in Wales and other "remote" and "deprived" regions of the UK.    The main problem as I see it is that the UK governments and its own EU civil servants never fully engaged and instead of carrying its weight in the decision processes and uniting with the Dutch and Swedes and others the UK held back and let the French-German power block move ahead without restraint.

I expect the UK will have hardships adjusting to the lack of cheap and willing seasonal labour for crops, lack of people willing to work all hours at low pay in the catering and hotel industries and the loss of skilled staff in the NHS but the Brits will cope and recover.   I do pity those at the bottom of the social food chain and those who will lose their jobs as foreign manufacturers and services move back to mainland Europe.

The main problem with fresh food imports is price rises and hold-ups at Customs plus the costs of extra processing thru borders.   Salads, soft fruits, tomatoes lose quality with delays.

Grow your own and insulate yourselves against price hikes.
Obxx - Vendée France

pumkinlover

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Re: Anyone growing more or different stuff next year because of brexit?
« Reply #11 on: October 05, 2018, 08:37:52 »
Quote
Well, Brussels sprouts are out!
:toothy10: :toothy10: :toothy10:


BarriedaleNick

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Re: Anyone growing more or different stuff next year because of brexit?
« Reply #12 on: October 05, 2018, 08:42:18 »
Britain isn't called Great Britain because we are great.  It is just Great"er" Britain so putting the "Great" back is meaningless in an historical context.
We also didn't fight WW1 to remain independent of Europe either as mentioned above - and 700,000 UK service men died.
I also don't think there is much evidence to suggest that other countries are queuing up to leave the EU - where is the evidence for that?  Support for the EU is actually at its highest for 35 years (http://www.europarl.europa.eu/at-your-service/en/be-heard/eurobarometer/eurobarometer-2018-democracy-on-the-move)
I don't even see the EU as being difficult.  The UK voted to leave the EU - we are out of the club so we can't benefit from being in the club.  I don't get to use my allotment site after I decide to leave it and the UK doesn't get to cherry pic what it wants from the EU.  If you think the EU is being difficult and mean to us then god help us all when it comes to negotiating all those trade deals we will need to put in place.

Food prices have already risen and they will rise again.  This is not some sort of conspiracy by business to hike prices for no good reason.  Prices are going up now because the pound has been devalued as a result of the vote. The pound is just about 1:1 withthe Euro now. So imports are more expensive - very basic economics.  If the pound goes lower then prices will go up.  The price of even home produced foods goes up too as we import fertilisers and fuel and other inputs
Prices are also likely to rise if we bomb out.  At the moment we have trade deals, through the EU, with dozens of countries that give us imports without traffics for all sorts of produce.  If we leave the EU all of those Trade Agreements are null and void - we literally will have no trade agreements with anyone (bar the one or two African countries that have made an agreement).  Falling back on WTO rules means prices will rise as tariffs will apply..

Will I be growing more or different food because of Brexit - probably not.  I am pretty well off and very self sufficient.  It isn't the likes of me that will suffer - it is those on low fixed incomes who don't have the resources to cope with food price rises that will suffer.  In the years that come I will probably head south anyway if possible - Portugal, Greece or Spain beckons.
Moved to Portugal - ain't going back!

Obelixx

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Re: Anyone growing more or different stuff next year because of brexit?
« Reply #13 on: October 05, 2018, 10:00:08 »
Good summary. 

I don't think anyone in continental EU disputes the economic benefits of being in the EU but there are mumblings about the progress to political unity and homogenisation but nothing organised and I can't see any other countries queuing up to hold referenda after watching the Brexit process.   Britain trades with many countries but will be at a massive disadvantage when trying to make new trade deals because, on its own, it's tiny compared to the potential market in the EU so of no special interest to give concessions.  It's also having to spend a fortune to hire specialist negotiators because the EU did that collectively so learning curves to go thru too.
Obxx - Vendée France

peanuts

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Re: Anyone growing more or different stuff next year because of brexit?
« Reply #14 on: October 05, 2018, 10:43:35 »
Sorry, but i really don't think this forum is the place for rants and opinions as to the result of the referendum and what is beginning to look like the possible effect of it.  Far too many of us have been totally and utterly saddened by it.
I will be leaving this group if this carries on.

Obelixx

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Re: Anyone growing more or different stuff next year because of brexit?
« Reply #15 on: October 05, 2018, 10:45:38 »
Don't think there's any ranting going on, just opinions and explanations about why prices will rise and certain commodities may be harder to come by and thus what people may decide to grow on their plots.

You can always ignore a thread you don't like.
Obxx - Vendée France

Digeroo

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Re: Anyone growing more or different stuff next year because of brexit?
« Reply #16 on: October 05, 2018, 22:46:09 »
I think the weather will have more effect on what I manage to grow.  This year has been very challenging with four months of drought.

It will be nice to know that we will have something of a buffer whatever the outcome.

I agree I can see no ranting about the referendum.  I think it is a good idea to think about possible outcomes. 


 




nodig

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Re: Anyone growing more or different stuff next year because of brexit?
« Reply #17 on: October 06, 2018, 19:55:50 »
We are leaving the best and well regulated market place in the world, and people on here still think fears of high prices is fake news.  We leave the customs union? - then all our goods for export to the EU will be checked and subject to tariffs just like any other non EU country trying to export to the EU (perhaps why Turkey has a customs union with the EU).  leave the single market and we face all sorts of difficulties in exporting to the EU, hence why the car industry is getting ready to leave.  Only the self sufficiency dreamers on here can believe nothing much will change - everything will change - for the worse I'm afraid.

Plot 18

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Re: Anyone growing more or different stuff next year because of brexit?
« Reply #18 on: October 06, 2018, 22:03:37 »
So now we know where you stand on Brexit - but we still don't know if you'll be growing more lettuce or peas, which was what the OP asked. :mblah05: :mblah05: :mblah05: 

nodig

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Re: Anyone growing more or different stuff next year because of brexit?
« Reply #19 on: October 06, 2018, 23:02:32 »
I think the price of fresh salad will go up about 50%with availability and freshness will going down about 50% so I guess I will grow more of these - I hope that helps Plot 18

 

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