What vegtables can I plant now - advice/suggestions please

[Clunas]

Hi,

I have just cleared a large section of lawn and have prepared it fo planting. I would like to see that veg will grow in the site. I woul very much like advice on what veg I can plant now (July in South Eas Scotland) to test the site. Is it too late to plant root veg such a potatoes? I an quite an experienced gardener but I not had the space before t plant veg. Thanks in advance for any suggestion

-- Clunas

[David Hare-Scott]

July is mid summer for you but I don't know what that means for temperatures. You could be having "hot" days of 40F (5C) for all I know. What is your typical nightly minimum and daily maximum at the moment? Will you get frost, if so when will the first frost probably be?

Supplementary question: does the UK have maps available of growing zones (heat zones, cold zones, growing days etc) similar to the USA and Australia?

David

[Pete Hurst]

I'm growing a variety of carrot "Early Nantes" which can still b planted right through July (I'm in the Midlands). I bought the seed from B&Q.

There are lettuce varieties which can be sown now to overwinter (I' growing a butterhead variety).

Next month you could plant garlic, again for overwintering.

I started everything late this year, having only just moved into house with decent growing space! So I've been paying particula attention to the dates on seeds.

The best advice I can give is to have a browse in the seed section a your garden centre, and see what can be planted then. Specifi varieties of different crops may have later dates than others.

I'd also highly recommend Bindweed's Gardening Year:

"Seeds of cabbages, spinach and turnips should be sown in quantities a required, and salad crops of endive, kohl rabi, mustard and cress lettuce, onions, parsley, radish should be sown in quantities a required in succession."

Pet

-- Pete Hurst

[Jo Green]

Hi Clunas,

Summer seems to comes later to Scotland. Some summers are warmer warmer and some colder although the trend seems to be toward warmer.

Although it is late for potatoes, there are still quite a few vegetables you can sow in July. Here are a few: Spring Cabbage, Chicory, Chinese cabbage, Kohlrabi, Lettuce, Peas, French Beans, Beetroot, Carrots, and Radishes.

Sometimes when it is past planting time for some vegetables such as potatoes, you can purchase developed plants to speed the growing process. Be sure to provide adequate fertilizer and moist soil as the July months can be somewhat dry in your climate.

Jo Green

[Clunas]

Thanks for the advice. I've gone for beetroot, cabbage, peas, beans an

radish. I should get something. cheer

-- Clunas