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Autumn/spring vegetables

 
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wellington womble



Joined: 08 Nov 2004
Posts: 15051
Location: East Midlands
PostPosted: Thu Jan 28, 16 10:50 am    Post subject: Autumn/spring vegetables Reply with quote
    

I have some very well drained raised beds. They are made of paving slabs and have been filled to a depth of about 2 feet with rubble. There is a layer soil about 4-6 inches deep on top.

Needless to say, they did not grow very good vegetables last year. Things did well in spring and autumn, though. So rather than pour vast quantities of water on them in the summer, I'd like to concentrate on things that do well in Autumn/winter/spring where they will get plenty of water anyway. I was thinking of things like overwintering onions. What eles would do well in there? I'm planning on some asparagus, which supposedly likes good drainage too.

dpack



Joined: 02 Jul 2005
Posts: 45384
Location: yes
PostPosted: Thu Jan 28, 16 11:09 am    Post subject: Reply with quote
    

asparagus likes deep ,very rich,and moderately moist soil.

beside the compost heap is ideal

the beds might suit garlic,strawberries,salad leaves etc etc

ie short season, shallow root type things

Slim



Joined: 05 Mar 2006
Posts: 6533
Location: New England (In the US of A)
PostPosted: Thu Jan 28, 16 12:59 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
    

I'd stick with greens and other fast small crops (radishes, etc....)

I'd avoid strawberries. Yes they like it well-drained when it's wet, but not many edible perennials will do more than just tolerate arid all summer.

gregotyn



Joined: 24 Jun 2010
Posts: 2201
Location: Llanfyllin area
PostPosted: Thu Jan 28, 16 3:30 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
    

The problem with low depth of soil and growing is that you often don't get the anchorage of roots and things grow but can get blown over. I would be inclined to grow things like leeks over winter in deep pots with a foot plus of soil below them. You could over a period of time take some of the rubble out of the some of the deep beds and give yourself a deeper soil using compost or rotted/fresh FYM as a base perhaps? This would allow a good footing for sprouts for example, and other winter brassicas.

Slim



Joined: 05 Mar 2006
Posts: 6533
Location: New England (In the US of A)
PostPosted: Thu Jan 28, 16 3:40 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
    

gregotyn wrote:
You could over a period of time take some of the rubble out of the some of the deep beds and give yourself a deeper soil using compost or rotted/fresh FYM as a base perhaps?


Since the rubble is already well draining (and presumably non-toxic) I would be inclined to build up with soil additions. I'd rather have a raised bed closer to working height!

wellington womble



Joined: 08 Nov 2004
Posts: 15051
Location: East Midlands
PostPosted: Thu Jan 28, 16 11:18 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
    

They are already comfortable height for a dinky person like me. I don't think you could build them up, anyway. They are made of paving slabs on end tied with building ties, and are already a good two feet high, and pretty full, so increasing the soil depth is not really an option.

I think even short shallow things will struggle. They really are like 4x1 metre grow bags. Sure I could rig up some kind of watering affair, but it seems more sensible to go with the conditions. Things that I planted in spring did very poorly over the summer, but then pretty well into the Autumn, when crops of kale, squash, romanesco and broccoli appeared from nowhere. I really want things I can plant out in the autumn and harvest in late spring or early summer. Garlic and onions spring to mind and the kale has done ok. I think sprouts and leeks are out, but wind doesn't seem to have been a problem especially. The general area is fairly sheltered, so I'm looking for more ideas for winter veg, really.

Mistress Rose



Joined: 21 Jul 2011
Posts: 15542

PostPosted: Fri Jan 29, 16 6:23 am    Post subject: Reply with quote
    

Going along the same lines as Gregotyn suggests, could you use them as plunge beds or stands for pots. Might be useful for things that required different soil, such as acid lovers like blueberries if your soil is alkaline.

gregotyn



Joined: 24 Jun 2010
Posts: 2201
Location: Llanfyllin area
PostPosted: Fri Jan 29, 16 2:36 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
    

One of the reasons I suggested leeks and sprouts, but there are several cabbage varieties that are shallower rooting, and some of the cauliflowers, you just have to pick the winter maturing types. Winter brassicas need liming before you plant, as that is the best time to apply and not have the ground too high ph for the next spring crops after the brassicas. There is no question in my mind I would have to take some of the rubble out and increase the soil depth to about 9" over a period of time; the deeper the plants are in the ground the better they hold out in the wind, take up nutrients and water.
I agree that the higher the better for ease of gardening. I have boxes about 2 ft high for my plants when I am in the mood to grow "stuff". I like the sizes though, 4x1 metre grow bags sounds really good at about 2 ft high and you can sit to do the weeding-what weeds?

Slim



Joined: 05 Mar 2006
Posts: 6533
Location: New England (In the US of A)
PostPosted: Fri Jan 29, 16 2:51 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
    

I guess I'm not following why you're recommending shallower rooting varieties when the problem is already that the soil dries out too frequently. I would think deep rooting is ok, as the plant will be pulling nutrients from the top layers, and lower rubble layers will be explored (to the extent they can be - just what is our working definition of "rubble" here?) for greater stabilization and water

NorthernMonkeyGirl



Joined: 10 Apr 2011
Posts: 4584
Location: Peeping over your shoulder
PostPosted: Fri Jan 29, 16 7:31 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
    

Alternatively, you could go for perennial crops with stupidly deep roots that will happily tunnel through the rubble?

wellington womble



Joined: 08 Nov 2004
Posts: 15051
Location: East Midlands
PostPosted: Sat Jan 30, 16 9:10 am    Post subject: Reply with quote
    

What sort of things, NMG? Rubble is half bricks and the like.

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