ready to go

[Maidenheadtaff]

I have prepared about a fifth of my site rady i think for planting. I guess i should put down some manure and dig in first ?

I want to plant some potatoes, the desiree red type i think. Can anyone recommend some that oculd be planted now ready for ''winter'

I would also like to plant something else maybe onions again can anyone recommend which.

[Maidenheadtaff]

[raisedbedted]

Annoying as it may sound theres not a lot that can go in at this time of year.  Potatoes are not hardy and so would not do well at this time, despite the advent of potatoes that can be grown and harvested for Christmas.

Onions shallots and Garlic can all be planted over the next couple of months, however these are really fiddly to weed around so unless you are confident that you are not going to get a lot of weed regrowth I would hold off.

Broad beans and brassicas (remember to net the latter) can be planted and can cope with weeds ok.  Anywhere left I would either sow a green manure crop or cover with manure and a piece of black plastic ready for spring 2008.

In a new plot I normally start off with robust plants rather than seeds until I know I've got the weeds under control - theres nothing more annoying than having to hand weed a row of carrot seedlings in amongst a field of weed seedlings!

[Lauren S]

QUOTE...(In a new plot I normally start off with robust plants rather than seeds until I know I've got the weeds under control - theres nothing more annoying than having to hand weed a row of carrot seedlings in amongst a field of weed seedlings!)

Oh I hadn't thought of this...Thanks for the tip  ;D

Lauren

[raisedbedted]

Its fresh in my mind cos we took on a second plot this year and I spent many an afternoon on my hands and knees weeding carrots and parsnips!   :-[

[shirlton]

Sometimes it is better to take over a plot at this time of year cos you can get it ready for the spring rutt.lol. You  can put your garlic and jap onions in also get some spring greens sown. Broad beans do much better for me if I grow the over wintering ones. Kt Lawson is sowing spring onions to be ready in the spring. There is a lot you can do to keep you busy. Today I have sown some carrots to make some young ones for eating in the autumn. You can get the rest of the ground prepared for planting in the spring. I try to rotate the crops as they tend to resist the deseases. Plan ahead while you have the time. The one tip I would give to anyone just starting is this "Dont be in too much of a hurry to get things sown in the spring." Watch for when the seasoned gardeners on here put their stuff in, they are seldom wrong. I made the mistake of trying to hurry things along and it just doesn't work. next year I'm gonna bide me time

[Maidenheadtaff]

i didn't realise you could grow carrots this late.Although i've been told try to grow whatever as you never know what will work.

one other question though , where can i get seeds for planting now and potatoes. my local garden centre seems to have shut up shop in that department
even on line there doesn't seem to be much

i don't inent to grow loads this year but just want ot have something showing their shoots soon in respect of all my work

[cambourne7]

If your thinking about planting asparagus its also a good time to dig a deep hole and add fresh manure to let it rot down over winter (cover with black plastic to stop weeds taking hold for topping with compost and planting in march.

You can also start rhubarb from seed and get the area ready for planting after christmas.