[Olly398]

Hello all,

I have a tiny veg plot (about 10ft square) in south London. I had some good stuff out of it last year. However, I sowed a few spring cabbages a bit late in the summer/autumn season. A few things had a pop at them, and the winter didn't do them any favours. They are only about 8" across and have not formed proper heads. The rest of the bed is being dug over preparation to receive some seedlings that I'll be starting in the cold frame (parsnips, carrots, beetroot and so on). I was hoping to get a catch crop of spinach in too.

So I was wondering - will these little beggars grow more as it warms up? So is it worth keeping them or should I just cut my losses, eat them up (1 meal!!!) and prepare the bed for better things?

When can I sow spinach outside directly? Since we're still having frosts, the soil feels too cold to me.

Many thanks,

Olly

[Jackie]

Get rid of them and use the ground for summer crops. It will soon be time to plant the summer cabbages.

If you are going to plant cabbages (brassica) again they need lime.

Plant or sow spinach after May 15th as that usually the last hard frost.

[Wizard]

Ground temperature is an all important factor for sowing seeds but a rule of thumb (what ever that is) is cabbages carrots parsnip and the like 6C and above.The idea being set them in a moist plot and the nice warming will tell them lets go and they do if you plant to cold they just stay there and rot and don't do well and early grub gets a good start as well

[Hermit]

If I had a tiny veg plot I certainly would not waste it on cheap to buy veg. You could plant more expensive cut an come again veg like purple broccolli and chard that give you bang for your bucks. I would get rid and prepare the ground ready for your next sowings. Good luck Hermit

[Wizard]

I'm with you Karen as you know I only do box gardening and I dont waste them on brussels and cabbage and the likes theres fields full round here and peas and onions.I would have a look with me magnifying glass to see there are no little nasties in the root and stem

[Olly398]

Cheers all. Yes I do try and grow the more interesting stuff  (see below). This was an experiment that we'll chalk off to experience! All part of the learning curve 

Thanks for all the advice, they'll soon be coming out and making space for nicer things 

Olly

[Wizard]

They look edible olly dont waste them with out trying them Might be a bit strong.Good compost though

[Olly398]

^^don't worry Wizard nothing gets chucked around here! All goes in the pot 

[Wizard]

Good on ya olly someone after me own heart and its good for ya I'm 73 yr old still eat oat but fish I HATE FISH

[Pomona]

Cheers for this thread:  I've been musing over my cabbages and spring greens which have come to pretty much nowt, and wondering whether to hang on or not.  I'll have a clear out at the weekend then and start afresh.  The hens'll enjoy picking through and eating the hoiked out cabbages 

[Wizard]

Oh aye Pomona they love them they will peck away for ages and save some for tomorrow

[Pomona]

I think they enjoyed the wee drop they had far too much: yesterday they managed to escape their run and had a right wee run around digging in the veg boxes: I had to replant all the red onions I'd put out at the weekend...   And of course, they were too busy having a good time to lay... 

[Wizard]

Oh yes they are not selective in respect of shes just planted those lets dig em up eh! Thenthey do