What are you Planning for 2021?

I've just registered for the forum so this is my first attempt at a thread!

I've had a full size allotment for about seven years and even though I've learned a lot, I learn something new nearly every single day. That's why forum's like this are so good. I get to share some of my experience and at the same time learn from others. Since June last year I've started posting a few Garden/Allotment videos on YouTube so if you have any suggestions for future videos then please let me know.

So in order to start a discussion and to get to know others on the forum, my question is: Have you thought about planning your fruit and veg sowing and planting for 2021, and if so is there anything you are thinking of doing differently or trying for the first time?

 

Welcome Gary, my plan apart from growing/trying to grow veg is to go out and meet my mates.
There's some very helpfull people on here, so watch this space my friend.

 

I only have three (10’x4’) raised beds, that I put in this year, so space is at a premium. My sprouts are in good shape, and tried some the other day and were delicious. That said, I won’t be bothering with them next year as they take up too much space, and are in the ground for a long time. That will leave more space for more worthwhile crops. Next year I want to grow more Carrots. I grew Amsterdam Forcing and Sugarsnax. I thought the Sugarsnax were outstanding for flavour, so I’ll just be growing them. After the disaster with my Broad Beans (Aminopyralid - weed killer), I’ve decided to get an early start by growing Aquadulce, which have germinated and will be planted out shortly. I’ll be growing Cylindria (Beetroot) again as they’re a good shape for slicing and flavour was good. Normally, I only grow tomatoes in the greenhouse, or in containers, but I’ll be growing a few in the beds next year. I wasn’t able to get hold of any decent Arran Pilot (potatoes) so had to settle for some Foremost, which were fine, but to me not as nice as AP’s. More to follow...

 

Hi Gary, well the onions, shallots, garlic, broad beans, peas and spinach are all planted and sown, and the artichokes and asparagus will be amongst the first veggies to crop. Thanks to the lockdown, I'm ahead of myself with organising the polytunnel, so will sow some salads and carrots to use the space overwinter.
What I will try to do next year is make sure I sow a second lot of cucumbers, courgettes, tomatoes, peppers and aubergines to go outside and take over from the polytunnel plants when they get tatty and unproductive.
Kohl rabi and Florence fennel are on the list of veggies that I love but haven't grown for a while.
Will definitely be planting Mona Lisa potatoes, too.

 

Hello Gary and welcome to GC forums.
These days i only grow tomatoes, Chillies and some beetroot. On this clay soil growing fruit is easier and a lot of blueberries in pots.
Next year I'm going to try growing verbena bonerenses and some verbascum for the first time, grow a few flowers from seed each year, all varieties that are good for bees and butterflies.

 

Welcome Gary.

Im limited for space as I only have 3 beds that are 2.4mx1.2m (8ftx4ft) and a 7ftx6ft GH. I’m going to be growing spuds in pots and then use these to grow some cut and come salads and some baby veg, probably leeks, carrots, beets. Going to have cabbage, peas and beans, beetroot, spinach and maybe a few other bits and bobs. Not made any final decisions, just starting to think about it.

@noisette47
Could I still sow lettuce in GH for overwintering?

Rusty

 

Wow, thank you all so much for your responses, there seems to be so much going on.

I too have already planted Garlic, Onions, Shallots and Broad Beans outside straight into the ground.

Some of the responses show that you may have limited space but you are certainly making the most of it!

I had an email this afternoon telling me my seed order had been dispatched. I’m excited because it is the first time I’ve ordered seeds online in this way. I usually get my seeds from high street retailers but I want to try more targeted growing this year with different varieties. I will let you know how I get on.

Rusty, the greenhouse or polytunnel are excellent for growing lettuce over winter.

 

Hi Rusty, definitely! Lettuce and other salad leaves do much better in cool conditions

 

Hi Gary! In 2021 I`d love to travel somewhere But as far as we have no improvements in this sphere, I`ll try to grow an avocado

 

Thanks @noisette47. I presume I can sow direct at this time of year. Any recommendations of what lettuce does well at this time of year?

Rusty

 

Avocado is ambitious. Never tried that myself. Please let me know how you get on.

 

The avocado tend to not like the cold but do make nice house plants. I have one a few years now and it is about 5foot (metre and a half) tall including the pot it is in. It probably would be bigger if it was not restricted by the pot and I think I'll put it in the ground next spring. I've brought it in each winter for the last few years. It grew by itself from my compost heap and they do like a bit of warmth to sprout. Thought it was a bit lonely so tried a few more avocado seeds in pots in a sunny room this summer and six are growing healthy there now. There's also another after sprouting in the compost heap and it's still alive even after some frosts so it gives me hope for the ones I'm going to plant out next year. Might give a few away as Christmas presents as I don't have space to let them all grow and I am a bit skeptical weather or not they will do well out doors here. I'll try them in the most sheltered sunny spots in the garden but not expecting much from them to be honest.

 

Not really My salad growing is mostly theoretical because I can't be doing with eating cold, damp stuff in the winter Lamb's lettuce is popular, though. And the cut-and-come-again mixtures of different coloured leaves. Let me know if you succeed with Iceberg lettuce, so I can be thoroughly jealous

 

Last season I went for Winston seed Potatoes, these are an early Potato. I have to say they were rubbish, however I cooked them they were watery and tasteless.

In the cellar I found a bag of shop bought Potatoes that had sprouted, these were planted, the result was brilliant, the flavour was yummy.

So folks I know its always recommended to only plant certified seed Potatoes but what are your thoughts please.

 

I have found the price of seed potatoes has put me off getting them in the past and have found some shop bought ones that had started to grow in the kitchen worked out reasonably well when I had a spot in the garden free at the right time. I don't like using chemical sprays and blight is a regular issue when the summer is damp as it usually is here, so I don't feel there is much point putting a lot of investment in to the crop and just having a few from planting leftovers from the shop bought ones is nice.