Suggestions for something different?

My garden isn't that big and doesn't have (nor is there anywhere to put) a dedicated veggie plot. In amongst the flowers I have for years, grown French beans, onions, shallots, tomatoes, lettuce, raspberries, strawberries plus a fair selection of herbs and, at the back of one flower border, a single 10' row of runner beans.

Now, there's nothing wrong with runner beans, they grow upwards so don't take up much ground space and always crop well, it's just that I'm tired of growing the same old thing year after year, after year and I want a change - preferably something the rest of the family will eat which excludes things like broad beans and courgettes.

The soil is very light and pretty neutral and I have tried growing brassicas in the past but they've never done very well (my fault I'm sure) but although there isn't much room I thought I'd like to give broccoli a go, or maybe peas? I've never grown either of these, not sure I've really got room for peas (although I could possible squeeze just a little more space) and I do realise that in my limited space they won't provide lbs and lbs of peas.

So, any suggestions guy?

 

Peas will climb so could do well in the "runner bean" space, only thing is their yield will be small once the peas are shelled in comparion to the RB, so how about sugar snap peas or Mange tout as the whole pod is eaten?

Steve...

 

mange tout? wilko planter+ tomato cage for support.

 

Ditch the runners and give climbing french beans a try. We get plenty from 6 to 8 plants and you can cook them whole when young or shell them when mature.

Ridge cucumber will grow outdoors in your location and can easly be trained upwards. Butternut squash only needs a hole in the ground but will spread like a triffid among other veg or along a path.

Broccoli takes a lot of space so John's suggestion regarding kale is wise, but it is a brassica and may not do well in your garden.

Pak choi is a quick and easy crop and you might get away with a couple of sweet pepper plants if given some protection early on with lemonade bottle 'cloches'.