Winter vegetable planting

joannacja3

Hello! I’d like to grow some vegetables this winter - I’m not worried what, as we eat everything. I’d just like to grow my own veg!

We live in Bristol, our soil is heavy red clay. I have a border which is in shade & pretty damp, so attracts slugs, a patio & a conservatory. 

I just wondered whether I could grown vegetables in grow bags on either the patio or placed on the shady border?
I’d like to start off broad beans for next year, but is there anything I could grow which could be harvested over the winter?  

Wolveryeti

Leafy veg (e.g. chard), certain herbs (coriander / parsley) or radishes would be good choices IMO.

joannacja3

Thank you for replying. Can they be planted in grow bags (especially the radishes) or would they need more depth?  

I’ve just looked at spring greens & Brussel sprouts too.

joannacja3

Thanks Philippa. I’ve also got an upright seed propagator which I could weight down & tie to something - that could be protection for salad leaves. I just thought of grid bags because even with trying to improve my soul, it’s quite boggy in the winter. 

Wolveryeti

joannacja3 said:

Thank you for replying. Can they be planted in grow bags (especially the radishes) or would they need more depth?  

I’ve just looked at spring greens & Brussel sprouts too.

Yes - none of the suggestions need deep soil unless you are talking something like a Daikon/Mooli radish where the shallow depth would stunt the usually long root.

I wouldn't recommend sprouts - think it is too late to plant and they are quite hungry crops due to their size.

joannacja3

Sprouts can be on next year’s list! Thank you for your advice!

Wilderbeast

Swiss chard should still do ok I think, no idea on the grow bag idea 

Joyce Goldenlily

You could stand your gro bags on end and put some potatoes in for Christmas. It would be no use putting the potatoes in the bags lying flat, not enough

joannacja3

That’s a great idea to stand the bags upright Joyce, thank you! Potatoes for Christmas, too!