What else can I sow this weekend?

[thecornflake]

I'm wondering what else I can sow this weekend. I'm using containers and sowed seom carrots, radishes and spinach last weekend (see my thread in Welcome New People) and I also have strawberry and pepper plants.

Would like to know of anything that can be sown this late and that will grow well in containers (or grow bags outside).

[Clara]

Lettuce are easy and there´s always a variety to plant, check out seed packets.

Potatoes can be grown in a barrel, I´m going to try with my next lot so I´ll do my research but my Dad reckons that you just get a barrel, punch a few holes in the bottom and stand on bricks for drainage (very important, you don´t want waterlogged spuds) put in about a foot of compost or poo and a foot of soil (mix). Pop in 3 or 4 chitted (look it up) seed potatoes and as the stems emerge, continue to cover with soil/compost. You end up with loads from very small surface area apparently.

The only problem I can see is that I have only seen seed potatoes in huge bags and you only need a few for this. Though I suppose given that you are containing the potatoes you could risk growing them from eaters, in the unlikely event that you get blight, you would lose your crop but not mess up your land for years.

As I say I´m not an expert on this, I´m sure someone will be along shortly to put me right Otherwise, this should be well documented on websites dealing with permaculture or growing in restricted spaces (square foot gardening).

BTW full moon is saturday, if you wanted to be biodynamic plant both afterwards.

[Thomzo]

Hi Clara
I've grown potatoes from supermarket eaters for years. I put them into bags, old tyres, plant pots, whatever I can find really.

Cheers
Zoe

[thecornflake]

Biodynamic? What's the thing with the moon?

I was reading that normal potatoes can't be grown from and youhave to use seed potatoes, but I might give it a go. Can it be done with Jersey Royals?

[Clara]

Biodynamic? What's the thing with the moon?

I was reading that normal potatoes can't be grown from and youhave to use seed potatoes, but I might give it a go. Can it be done with Jersey Royals?

Potatoes have to be grown over a certain altitude to guarantee freedom from blight (does anyone know whether that "certain altitude" varies with climate?), therefore seed potatoes come from certified stocks. If you´re planting in an allotment or field you want to avoid blight because if you get it you can´t use that land again for potatoes for many years. However, seeing as you can simply dispose of your earth responsibly and you´ll be able to get new earth the following crop, I don´t see why you shouldn´t grow from your Jersey Royals! You need to chit them first.

Biodynamic is basically growing with the moon calendar, it can get rather complicated but the basic rule is to plant for root growth when the moon is waning (getting smaller - after full moon) and planting for above ground growth when the moon is waxing (getting bigger - after new moon). Now if you´re still with me, you may be wondering why then I said to plant lettuce after full moon, i.e. for root growth rather than above ground growth. What you don´t want is for your lettuce to grow upwards too quickly, planting them in the waxing moon is thought to encourage them to bolt. If you PM your email, I´d be glad to send you PDFs of a really easy gardening calendar that I paid to download - that´s an offer open to all.

[the.fee.fairy]

Radishes
Rocket
Salad leaves (red Mustard and Mizuna aretwo of my favourites to go with rocket).
garlic (won't be ready til spring though)

[flower]

beetroots can be sown now,
spring onions you might get away with,
french beans (loads of colours available)
kohl rabi

I'm sowing runners too in the hope of an indian summer, well, you never know your luck

pak choi and fennel both enjoy july/august sowings and are less likely to bolt

[thecornflake]

I'm looking at trying some french beans, there are several varieties from Suttons that can be sown now. Any recommendations on specific ones?

Will they be better in grow bags or large pots?

EDIT: I may also try some late potatoes in patio planters as we use potatoes a lot.

[flower]

if you plant salad spuds in tubs now you'll have them fresh for christmas

as for beans, if you have the space why not try both ways? then you can see which work best for you.
I had great success with some cheap ones from lidols last year, they were yellow ones and cost just 29 pence a packet!
at that price you can afford to try several colours.

[thecornflake]

Ordered some spring onions, potatoes and two types of beans so we will see what happens. Getting compost, growbags and containers from ESK at the weekend (very cheap).

Are potatoes ok in normal compost?

[Millie]

Potatoes can be grown in a barrel, I´m going to try with my next lot so I´ll do my research but my Dad reckons that you just get a barrel, punch a few holes in the bottom and stand on bricks for drainage (very important, you don´t want waterlogged spuds) put in about a foot of compost or poo and a foot of soil (mix). Pop in 3 or 4 chitted (look it up) seed potatoes and as the stems emerge, continue to cover with soil/compost. You end up with loads from very small surface area apparently.

Does it matter what sort of barrel? I have an old waterbutt here that needs a new use

[Clara]

I´ve never done it, but I will try soon, however, I don´t see why it should matter. So long as it drains (which will mean punching holes in it), it should be fine.