The Accidental Smallholder Forum

Growing => Vegetables => Topic started by: natasha on December 27, 2007, 05:30:52 pm

Title: what to grow in the shetland isles weather!
Post by: natasha on December 27, 2007, 05:30:52 pm

please help.what will survive the shetland weather.we have a greenhouse but the chickens have taken over there so we are about to order a polly tunnel[not sure if it will last in these winds!]Our land is quite wet in places and is peaty.I know nothing abot growing veg and would like some help in what to grow ,when and where!!!thanks.

Title: Re: what to grow in the shetland isles weather!
Post by: Malc on January 03, 2008, 09:35:12 am

A polytunnel is a must as far as I can gather. The wind and the salt destroy just about everything here on Orkney.
You'll probably be pleasantly surprised in the summer, but anything tender needs to be undercover. A lot of tunnels here seem to have survived for several years, although one or two were stripped by last winter's gales.
I'll be asking the locals here for tips and will pass any info on. Let me know how you get on

Title: Re: what to grow in the shetland isles weather!
Post by: Fluffywelshsheep on January 25, 2008, 01:43:45 pm

not having personaly experience with shetland but i would think that the salt spray would be the worst thing to worry about.
Linz

Title: Re: what to grow in the shetland isles weather!
Post by: hebber on March 26, 2008, 05:54:12 pm

Hello,  I'm living on the isle of lewis (in the hebrides).  It's probably not quite as extreme as the shetlands, but probably similar problems.  I managed to grow kale, brussel sprouts, potatoes, carrots, and beetroot.  The kale was the easiest - I just stuck it in the ground and it looked after itself.  Anything more tender than these just seem to shrivel and die in the wind.  Oh broad beans seemed completely unbothered by the wind as well - and jerusalem artichokes.
Also digging drainage will help.  And I've started putting in hedging for shelter.