Growing veg over winter advice

[Jollyjoy]

I’m wondering if anyone has any top tips on making this successful. In Scotland so a few more weeks of warmth left, probably. I don’t have a greenhouse (yet). I just bought a mini poly tunnel with fleece cover which should fit in a bed that I’m about to lift potatoes from.

I’ve bought leek, winter cabbage and broccoli seedlings. I’m thinking pot them on and get them a bit stronger before in the ground? Or better to get them in to give them more time to establish before it gets cold? I also have some kale seeds that I wonder if I should grow in trays first or just try them in the ground. Also have some Xmas seed potatoes - I’m thinking pots best for these?

I also have some purple sprouting broccoli in the ground that’s been in since May/June but it’s looking quite feeble and munched. Shall I just leave it and hope for the best, or should I cover it with fleece or ground with straw when frosts are approaching?

So many questions - thanks in advance - would love to hear others’ winter veg patch experiences…

Purple sprouting broccoli is frost hardy, you can just leave it out uncovered all winter. Mine had little piles of snow on each leaf last time I grew it and it was fine.
not sure about the veg seedlings though, they won’t get much time to grow before winter.
If you have a problem with slugs/snails you’ll have to patrol the fleece beds every dusk to catch the beasties or they’ll turn the beds into their own all-inclusive Center Parcs (covered, safe, warm, all-you-can-eat).

Oh good to know about the slugs in the fleece! Makes sense. Although this has been such an unsluggy year due to being so dry - I wonder if that will affect numbers in autumn/winter or are they all just waiting to pop up when it gets quite wet again!

Ill just try it with the seedlings, see what happens.