Seed types.

[Flunky]

Hello.

Last year I grew lots of lovely veg. however choosing the seeds was a bit of a lottery.

This year I want to be more organised and picky with my seeds.

I have made a list of the veg i want to grow. Now I need to go through the list and add what variety I want to grow.

Does anyone have any resource as to the types and when they can be sown/harvested. I have lots of books with recommended types. But I am a little unsure as to how to provide the different types throughout the year.

As always any help is much appreciated.


F.

[Flunky]

[tonybloke]

Dr Hessayon's 'Expert' veg book has a list of varieties and sowing dates/harvest dates for the more common veg. ;)

[Barnowl]

Many seed catalogues including on-line ones, give an indication of the indoor and outdoor sowing dates and harvest period. See http://www.realseeds.co.uk for an example.

A4A guru, TeeGee's guide is here,

http://www.thegardenersalmanac.co.uk/Planners/Fruit%20&%20Veg%20planner.htm

but bear in mind his advice that it might be better to sow earlier or later depending on where you are http://www.thegardenersalmanac.co.uk/Planners/Preamble.htm
I sow my beans earlier (last frost day is earlier) and for longer, but my brussels go in later (my theory being that the extra warmth means they'll bolt if I give too much easy growing time). Experienced allotment neighbours are usually a good source of info on varieties that work locally and sowing times.

For a debate on individual varieties just post a question on the forum - I think I can guarantee replies :)

[Eristic]

The problem with varieties is that so much depends on personal taste. Long term you ought to try several different varieties each year and assess which grow well and taste nice.

[shirlton]

If you ask on here which varietys folks like to grow  you will soon get some idea of what to try.

[kt.]

Kings seeds is a very good website with regards to listing varieties.  As with some seed companies it lists sowing, planting out and harvesting times for all its seed products.  Once you have chosen the variety - click on "cultivation instructions"  A very cheap and reliable company too.

www.kingsseeds.com

[Flunky]

thanks all. I will have good read, digest and then ingest. Lovely.

[Tee Gee]

No simple answer to this question I am afraid.

The way I do it is; I keep an eye open as to what others are growing on the plot and often exchange at harvest time a variety of mine for some of a variety of theirs.

If I do decide to alter my ways I do not put all my eggs in the one basket I often grow 60-70% of a tried and tested variety and use the remainder of the space I have with the new variety.

If I find that the new variety is an improvement on the old variety I change my ways.

If it is not I keep doing this until I get an improved variety.

This I why I find it quite easy each year when I am ordering my new seed I know what I prefer and more importantly I know what grows well for me,sop they go on the seed order first.

Then all I have to do is look what else is on offer!!

[Flunky]

thanks again.