got my seed catalogue, and a large mug of tea....

Happy New Year everyone!

As you may remember, we've moved house, and a new vegetable plot (raised bed, filled with compost, about 1metre x 3 metres) awaits my tender care.

So far I have planted just a few rows of seeds (overwintering broad beans, christmas radishes, which I forgot to bring to the table on Boxing Day, and pak choi, which is slowly building up)

I've got a few seed packets already "in stock", but am wondering what to go for in my Chilterns Seeds catalogue (also got Suttons, but their postage charge is a little steep to Europe). Climate-wise, we're a sort of extreme version of the Midlands. Our winters are a little colder, and summers maybe a little warmer (we had one, last year!). I tend to grow what is best v fresh, or is hard to get here - so for example, parsnips are a very high priority...! I'll also put some runner beans and sugar-pod peas in. Rocket is eaten with gay abandon, but normally is allowed to over-run the herb bed ... note to self, need to finish herb bed ... We do grow some salad crops but they tend to feed the local wildlife rather than us :-(. In the past we've found that tomatoes are always a little disappointing, whilst the local shop toms are of a high quality.

I'm wondering what the must-haves are for people? Is there an unusual veg that you've loved? Or one that just looks so lovely, you keep growing it? (for me, bronze fennel is so beautiful, any garden seems incomplete without it!)
So far, my wish-list for this year is:
parsnips,
beans,
peas,
salad leaves,
spring onions,
spinach,
a cardoon or two?
maybe a corner for horse-radish?!
wondering about a cale-type, although have never grown brassicas before...

 

No corner for horse-radish! it'll take over, grow in a large container and invite me around for roast beef with horse-radish sauce

 

Yes, I've picked up that tip re horse radish! It's not being allowed anywhere near my veg bed, but rather assigned to one of the wild corners....

 

Exploding Cucumber where my favourite unusual from a couple of years ago, they're going in again this year. Just need eye protection when harvesting!!

 

wow!

that's a new veg on me - must look it up!