Vegetable growers, I've decided not to grow onions next year, they're inexpensive. What expensive veg should I grow?

[CuriousMama]

I'll grow potatoes as we enjoyed having our own plus Mil and DM love them too. And new pots are so expensive. I'm going to give carrots a good go, left it a bit late this time. Plus I'll try to build some sort of greenhouse for tomatoes. I failed this year, made a protective guard thing for them but it got too cold and they all died So will build something with my window frames next year. Onions are a few pence, we get a huge bag from lidl so I don't think it's worth growing them?

Leeks have turned out ok so will carry on with them, as have lettuces. Peas were good. My runner beans are still growing so may get some but I started too late I think?

Is there anything worth growing now? My parsnips are in. Just wondered if there's anything else I can pop in?

And for next year, what would you recommend I try?

I'm going to get some manure and lay that over once we've dug over. Then it should be nice and rich for next year?

[FunnysInLaJardin]

I think you're too late to get anything going now to harvest in the winter, but for next year how about broad beans.

[ProfYaffle]

I base my whole veggie growing philosophy on not growing stuff that's cheap in the shops. I always go for things that are either expensive to buy, hard to find in the shops or significantly nicer when fresh picked.

I generally go for rainbow chard, borlotti beans, sweetcorn, leeks, cavolo nero, purple sprouting brocolli and courgettes in various shapes and colours. I also grow unusual varieties of ordinary veg, such as red spring onions, romanesco cauliflower. I've also tried salsify for the first time this year but it's still growing so I don't know if it's worth it or not yet! I've planted asparagus but that's not ready to pick yet either.

I'm watching with interest for ideas of things to plant now.

[CuriousMama]

Thanks for your messages. I tried purple sprouting broccoli and it didn't seem to work? Turned to flowers? I must've done something wrong? Asparagus is a great idea, doesn't it take 3 years? I love the idea of unusual veggies I'll have a look at the seed catalogue or in the allotment shop?

I love broad beans, we use a lot in curries but I like them with mint and in a salad.

[Lio]

I can post you some runner bean seeds (seeds? Beans? Don't even know right word!) if you like ? I harvested them last year and my experience is that they last for ages and should work if you plant them next year. Runners and green beans/French beans always seem to work for me and cost a fortune to buy.

[CuriousMama]

Oh thanks Lio that's kind of you. I'll inbox you

[ProfYaffle]

I sowed PSB in spring this year, it'll overwinter and then be ready to pick next spring. If it's flowered I think it may have bolted in warm weather (cant' remember what spring was like!) or you just didn't pick it fast enough, the season is quite short.

Asparagus does take 3 years, yes. I have enough space though and don't mind waiting.

I've just checked my 'Allotment month by month' book, it suggests sowing Broad beans, garlic, onions, peas, currants, gooseberries, raspberries, grape vines and strawberries, also cauliflowers under glass.

I planted broad beans this time last year but lost the lot to frost!

[ProfYaffle]

Oh yes, I meant to say about runner beans. You can either leave them to get really big and fat and then pod the beans to use like pulses or cut them down and they'll re-grow in spring for an early crop.

[Lio]

Okey-dokey Curious

[monsterchild]

My asparagus had a few tiny spears this year, I planted it last year.

I also grow shallots because they are very expensive to buy, and they do taste a bit different than onions.

I also liketo grow tomotoes, but they grow well here.

How about cantelope or other melons?

[CuriousMama]

Thanks ProfY and monster.

Melons, wow never thought of those. Have you had success with them?

[withjamin]

Red onions and garlic can be quite economical IME. We managed to be nearly self sufficient in both for a good while.
I'd say avoid brassicas and parsnips as they're in the ground for ages whereas rocket, peas, beans, tomatoes, carrots, beetroots are relatively quick.
Have you thought about fruit? Is often £££ to buy soft fruit and it's relatively easy to grow, dismal weather aside.

[monsterchild]

They grow just like courgettes, but take longer. Some do vine, so plan for that. Also cucumbers are nice.
If you go with fruit, get dwarf or semi-dwarf trees, they don't live as long, but they fruit more quickly, have the same amount of fruit, and are easier to manage if you're not going to have commercial orchards.

[UnexpectedItemInShaggingArea]

Saffron.

Worth more than its weight in gold.

[PlentyOfPubeGardens]

Jerusalem artichokes. They're a piece of piss. Just bury a few and ignore them until next autumn then dig up as needed. Leave a few in and you'll have a crop from year to year.

[Japple]

Well,what's expensive over here is Asparagas and Romaine Lettuce.Hubby says
He'd want to grow Cauliflowers and artichokes.

[HumphreyCobbler]

i agree about the soft fruit - esp raspberries which are the only thing that really worked for us this year in the cold summer. We are eating autumn ones now everyday for breakfast.

[upinthehills]

Second the rasps - we get tons, freeze ice cream cartons full and make lots of jam - 6 rows about 1.5m long each

[CuriousMama]

Thanks so much. Can I plant fruit bushes now?

[IDismyname]

I grow rocket which is easy peasy and expensive.

[BlueChampagne]

Third the rasps - we're eating them for breakfast too.

If you've got space, my suggestion would be globe artichokes and butternut squashes. Have to confess to more success with the former than the latter over recent years.

[Bienchen]

You can still sow winter salads now. Corn salad is excellent for withstanding frost.

[CuriousMama]

Thanks all. I'm definitely buying raspberry bushes. I'll have a go at winder salads thanks Bienchen.

[Bienchen]

Forgot to say that you can order your raspberry canes now but they are normally dispatched bare root in late autumn/over the winter months. Prepare the ground now though, so when they arrive you are good to go. They will require a support system, too. Good to get it in place before they grow tall, so by Spring latest.

[dreamingofsun]

raspberry growers - what do you do to protect against the birds? Metal fruitcages look quite expensive - are they necessary or is there a cheaper alternative? Do you train the bushes, or just let them grow?

[HumphreyCobbler]

you plant enough for you AND the birds