Our 3m x 3m vegetable plot is quietly heading towards winter after a very productive season. We have established a green manure crop on one half of the plot (winter tares were sown in mid September). This will occupy the bed through the winter, locking up the soil nutrients – to be released again when the crop is dug-in in the spring. The other half of the plot has a selection of oriental greens, including various mustards, mizuna and chop suey (sown in early September) providing a mixed leaf crop for adding to salads or stir fries. We will be giving regular updates on this plot throughout next year, with details of what crops should be sown when, choice of varieties and succession sowings.
Green Manure Mr McGregor's Garden this winter
Mr McGregor’s Garden, which was created this year to run in conjunction with the Beatrix Potter exhibition held here through the summer, has been very popular. Next year it will be used to demonstrate (through a series of practical demonstrations in March, June and October) how to manage a good sized family veg plot (but unfortunately without the help of Peter Rabbit and friends!)
Within the wider veg garden we have a very good stand of leeks - part of the trials programme we contribute to in conjunction with Wisley - which will be assessed in the New Year. The leeks were sown on 21 April and planted out on 24 June, and have been one of the vegetables which has thrived during the wet summer. There are 13 varieties, the majority of which are blue/green leaved. They make quite handsome plants which stand the winter and provide several months of cropping - and you can’t beat a good leek and potato bake on a cold winter’s evening!
Leeks
Blog by Peter Earl, Senior Supervisor, Fruit and Vegetable Garden.