Growing veggies “off the beaten track”

[Ecrire]

Have finally got myself a veggie patch in the garden about 2 m by 1 m. South east of England. Also a small 3/6 wooden and polycarbonate greenhouse. In sunniest part of garden.

would like to grow stuff that aren’t necessarily easy to come by in supermarket. For example see little point growing bog standard carrots.

Suggest stuff that we could actually grow whilst also being somewhat time poor? Maybe heirloom seeds, some experimental stuff, some guaranteed rewards?

I disagree about sticking to small stuff. Climbing plants hugely increase the productive area - you'll get many times more from a good climbing bean and an old-fashioned pea that grows to 7ft than you will from a modern 3ft pea and a dwarf bean - with barely any increase in the ground area they take up.

Spuds can go in a bag rather than taking up space in the bed.

Cavolo Nero is pretty easy to grow, and delicious. Purple sprouting broccoli. I’d you want “different” carrots then gniff or manpakuji are definitely unusual but do require very fine soil. I grow mine in raised beds with 50/50 sand and soil. Melons and kiwi in the greenhouse. Raspberries?

I know carrots are cheap in the supermarket, but home grown ones are so much nicer. Runner beans, peas and broad beans are especially nice when home grown.

You can also grow pretty and unusual combinations like black basil and nasturtiums.

I have a parsley border around my veg patch as it’s hard as nails and goes in so much cooking. It also has a pleasing ‘miniature hedge’ effect.

I love growing stuff that won’t last long once you get home! So you always have access to eg fresh lettuce, spinach, raspberries, herbs.

Homegrown carrots taste soooo much better than shop carrots so I wouldn’t write them off immediately.

Get a seed catalogue or have a browse online

I love growing veg … and growing unusual or expensive veg. I try and grow something new every year.

I love perennial fruit and veg as once it’s established it’s a yearly harvest. I have asparagus, blackcurrants, gooseberries and rhubarb. Also herbs.
I grow cucumbers, peas and beans over arches and frames and other veg can grow underneath. Sweet peppers, tomatoes and chillies thrive in the greenhouse and it’s great for growing seeds on. I have ginger in mine too.
i have flowers amongst my veg for colour and flavour.

I grow things that are nicest when freshly picked or expensive. Peas, purple sprouting broccoli, new potatoes, sweetcorn (you’d probably need more space)are all like a completely different vegetable when really fresh. Herbs are cheaper than the supermarket. Strawberries are gorgeous when picked warm from the sun.