2022 – Deciding what else to grow

Whilst most of what I write about is my tomatoes, there is also space for other vegetables and fruit, some of which are permanent and others which I have to decide about.

I’ve already sown broadbeans which are growing well and will give us something in around May. The strawberry plants in the tunnel are also beginning to show some life as is the rhubarb. Carrots did well in 2021 and we’re still picking them so I’ll grow carrots again this year. Lettuce is something I always grow, fresh lettuce always seems to taste better than anything you can get from the supermarket. Courgettes did OK, but I think the ground needs some extra goodness to get the plants a little stronger. French Beans and Runner Beans also did well and I’ll grow both this year. Cabbages didn’t do very well last year, the main problem being that they cropped at the same time as everything else which meant that they got ignored, what I need is something green but late. Beetroot is a waste. In the past we’ve pickled them but its hard work to justify growing them in the sort of quantity we can give space to.

Chilli peppers grow well but we don’t use them (there are still peppers in the freezer from 2019) so there’s little point. Sweet peppers don’t grow as well but I think they’re more worthwhile. Cucumbers will be grown, we found a pickle recipe which was good and they are again always better than supermarket ones.

So, the list of things to grow is something like:

Outside

  • French Beans;
  • Runner Beans;
  • Carrots;
  • Parsnips;
  • Lettuce;
  • Raspberries;
  • Strawberries;
  • Rhubarb;
  • Courgettes
  • Cabbage?
  • Radish

Greenhouse

  • Tomatoes
  • Sweet Peppers
  • Cucumbers
  • Physalis

Although as ever, the list will evolve over time.