[tippben]

I relatively new to tunnel growing. After cropping spring cabbage, rocket, coriander, strawberries (which are gone, as this was their third year), I have about 15' of space in one bed. What do people recommend I fill it with? Quick crops like coriander, salad and spinach get "catch cropped" in foot square gaps. Have enough tomatoes.

[yaut]

French beans?

[Kim]

French beans is a very good suggestion.

If I have any space at this time of year I put in butternut squash or maybe acorn squash. They grow well outside (most years) but I get more fruits in the polytunnel with the extra heat. They will also swamp a bed (and the paths) and I have little or no weeding to do with them, as it is so hot in the tunnel in the summer I prefer to not have to tend crops in there too much.

I have had great success growing carrots sown any time up to the end of July in the tunnel. They have often avoided the root fly (especially when sown late) and are easy to pick all winter.

Sweet potatoes and melons are options but I think one would need plants already started,( so planting out small plants).

That is a few ideas to get on with.

[tagwex]

There certain types of broccoli that can be sown soon.

[Kim]

yes, If you are in an exposed or cold area you can grow purple sprouting broccoli now in the tunnel and it will crop next march/April, a very welcome spring crop. I always grow it outside but I have grown it in the tunnel too. Now I just grow it outside but I know some people have lost there outside plants in harsh winters and do grow it in the tunnel.

Spring cabbages must be an option too although I have never tried them in the tunnel.

[robbie checker]

Sowed some brussel spouts in the tunnel last July/August when space became available and had nice crop for Christmas & Early Jan. Much better than ones sown outside at same time which were hardshipped from the winter and mostly unuseable.

[Margo]

We always put 2-6 kale plants and that does all through the winter into spring.