Читать книгу The Allotment Book - Andi Clevely - Страница 52

Making a wish list The initial stages in establishing your perfect allotment all involve a certain amount of inevitability: the size of your plot, the type of soil and so on. Deciding how you are going to manage the land and plants, however, depends more on personal criteria, as does choosing what to grow, which is the subject of this chapter. The following pages will help you compile a wish list of appropriate crops and varieties from the wealth that is available.

GREENHOUSE CROPS If you have a greenhouse or cold frame, explore the possibilities for growing extra plants to mature under glass, with all the advantages of extra warmth and shelter.

You can grow many of the principal outdoor vegetables like carrots and lettuces earlier and later than you would in the open air, as well as tender crops such as cucumbers, peppers, okra and lima (butter) beans. Make sure you choose appropriate varieties: some of those used outside are dual-purpose and crop equally well (or better) under glass, but varieties that are listed only for indoor use have often been developed specifically for that purpose. Check whether these crops require additional heat, which will add to your growing costs, or merely passive protection from the elements.