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I mentioned in an earlier post that I was going to be trying some different varieties of veg next year, so I thought I'd mention the cucumbers which I'm going to have a go at. I'm never particularly successful with cucumbers, so I'm going to hedge my bets next year and give three different varieties a try. The first is one I've grown before, Crystal Lemon. It's a round variety and grew well for me last time, producing lots of fruit. The second is Mini Munch, a variety which produces mini fruit, which will be good as there's only me and the tropical fish who eat cucumber in our house. The third variety is Fanfare. This is an outdoor variety which has a bushy habit and is ideal in containers, so will be good to grow on the patio. I'm hoping that by trying different varieties which grow in different ways, at least one will do well for me. I often wonder why cucumber seed is so expensive compared with other seed. I bought these three packets in the Wyevale sale for 50p per packet, but their usual combined selling price would have been £9.13. It's not as though you get plenty of seeds in the packs either, both the Mini Munch and the Fanfare only contain four seeds in each packet.
The broad beans I sowed a few weeks ago have germinated well. Only three seeds out of thirty six haven't germinated, so I should get a much bigger harvest next year than I had from my dozen plants this year. Bring it on.
That is seriously cold. We usually grow Burpless tasty green cucumbers not very adventurous but productive outdoors even last year.
ReplyDeleteI've grown Burpless previously. They were one of the better ones I've grown, so if next year's varieties let me down, I may try them again.
DeleteI think that we'll all be armchair gardening for the next few months!
ReplyDeleteI managed to grow cucumbers, from plants, for the first time this year and I'm going to try some from seed next year.
Well done with the broad beans. Flighty xx
The weather's certainly turned now. Good luck with your cucumbers next year. I don't usually have many problems getting the plants to grow, it's getting them to fruit which I have trouble with.
DeleteGood news about the BBs, Jo. I have never grown any Autumn-sown ones - somehow I always think they are bound to succumb to the weather!
ReplyDeleteI grew some "cocktail" cucumbers this year and they were great - much better than the longer ones I had previously had. Very prolific and good taste and texture as well. I shall definitely be growing them again. They also take less space, which is important for me.
I've sown my broad beans in pots and I'll keep them in the greenhouse over winter, then plant out in spring. I'm hoping that they'll have a head start doing it this way. Your cocktail cucumbers sound great, definitely one to stick with.
DeleteI think I've got the same lemon cucumbers to grow next year too, mine are called Cucumber Lemon, but they sound very similar. We can compare notes! I bought some seeds for 50p from Wyvales too, and also some from the Seed Parade website - it's very reasonable and some unusual varieties, worth a look if you haven't seen it before
ReplyDeleteWe'll definitely have to compare notes on the lemon cucumbers. I've never heard of Seed Parade, I shall certainly check it out. It's always good to have a recommendation.
DeleteI like the tried and tested varieties of cucumbers like Burpless ridge cucumber. I find that new expensive hyped vegetables varieties often disappoint. I like to study my Marshalls catalogue and dream of next years new sowings-and of course carry on eating all those wonderful winter veg like leeks, sprouts and broccoli
ReplyDeleteThank you for visiting and leaving a comment. The tried and tested varieties are usually good, but I do also like to try new things. It's just the weather at the moment to sit with a seed catalogue and choose what to grow next year. Unfortunately, the only thing I've got left growing are leeks and three parsnips, I haven't done too well this year.
DeleteNo wonder the digging is on ice Jo as otherwise you would be dancing on ice. You have done well to venture to your plot. I imagine that ours is in much the same state. You have got a bargain with your cues as they can be very expensive. 'Crystal Lemon' is most refreshing :)
ReplyDeleteIt was rather slippery to say the least. I've grown Crystal Lemon before, and to be honest, it wasn't one of my favourites, but I've read so many great reviews of it that I thought I'd give it another go.
DeleteI messed up our autumn sown broad beans. I planted them too early perhaps and they grew long and leggy in the cold frame and I didn't get them planted out. They're still in the cold frame. I wonder if they'll manage to produce beans left in their 3" pots? I'll have a look today and see what they look like. Best of luck with your crop.
ReplyDeleteThis cold weather should slow their growth down now. Planted out in spring, they should give you an early harvest, that's what I'm hoping for with mine anyway.
DeleteI have always done well with cucumbers until this year - I did try crystal lemon but only got one and that was nothing to shout about. As for broadies I don't usually bother till early spring when they quickly seem to catch up. Good luck with your cukes next year.
ReplyDeleteI think many things didn't perform as they usually do this year. I'm hoping that we get bumper crops of everything next year to make up for it.
DeleteThat just looks cold. Enjoy your broad beans - too many beans are never enough if my view...
ReplyDeleteIt's warmed up a little again now, thank goodness. Beans were off my menu until I got my allotment, now I can't get enough of them.
DeleteDid a bit of light digging and tidying up today but it's too cold and wet for any serious work. Time for a short hibernation until January!
ReplyDeleteI doubt January will be any better weather wise, but at least we'll be able to get cracking with the sowing.
DeleteWe had the ice too...now we just have the wet...digging won't be finished now until next year!!
ReplyDeleteIt's very wet here too. I've given up waiting for the ground to dry out so that I can dig.
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