It’s not just whether you’re up north or not that has to be taken into consideration, type of soil, elevation, rainfall (usually much more on the west coast than the east) that may affect how well or not a particular variety may do for you.
That’s why it’s been suggested that you talk to folk living and gardening locally to you.
Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.
It’s not just whether you’re up north or not that has to be taken into consideration, type of soil, elevation, rainfall (usually much more on the west coast than the east) that may affect how well or not a particular variety may do for you.
That’s why it’s been suggested that you talk to folk living and gardening locally to you.
I live in England so the difference between north and south, east and west is very slight if any. I am in zone 8. Again, knowing this 'zone 8' doesn't really help me as none of this information is mentioned on seed packets. "A sweet tender variety" doesn't help me choose between 15 different varieties of leeks in my area and differentiating between the disease resistant and disease prone. A whole season is a long time to just test out something. Northern England is a relatively large place, I would have thought the best shot of information would be targeting the whole of it instead a small unreliable group I can't get hold of.
I’m sorry but I have to disagree with you there … I too live in England. The soil and prevailing weather on the farm where I grew up are hugely different to the soil and weather on the farm where my brother grows vegetables … they are 23 miles apart.
I used to live in mid Suffolk … I now live in central Norfolk. I can assure you that the soil conditions are profoundly different here to those where I used to live. In Suffolk I gardened on heavy clay … here, only 34 miles north I grow vegetables on very free draining gritty terminal moraine.
Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.
Perhaps an outing here tomorrow … I understand you live in the Manchester area … https://www.nvsuk.org.uk/events/harrogate-flower-show might yield an opportunity to meet competitors living locally to you and gain from their experience.
There are things a forum can do but by its nature it consists of folk spread across a wide area … if it’s local knowledge you want it’s probably quickest to ask locally.
Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.
I would agree. The first thing I did when moving to a new area was join the local Horticultural Group/Gardening Club where there is always a fount of local knowledge. There can be a big difference in soil, microclimates, etc. within quite a small area. Personal preference and weather come into it as well.
I think they're in North Wales so not a million miles from Manchester (although possibly wetter and colder)
Under Articles & Advice/Vegetable Growing they have pages for pretty much every veg you could think of, and the ones I looked at have comments on different varieties, for example here's their page on leeks https://www.allotment-garden.org/vegetable/leeks-growing/
They have a good recipe page too (I have their jams & preserves book), and a forum but I don't know how active it is.
Doncaster, South Yorkshire. Soil type: sandy, well-drained
@cfaeve, you might do well to look at the RHS website. They do in depth trials on fruit and veg and publish the findings. I have to say you're misguided if you think that growing conditions are similar throughout the UK. My allotment is on heavy clay, the next village has allotments near a river and it's deep loamy soil.
I’m sorry but I have to disagree with you there … I too live in England. The soil and prevailing weather on the farm where I grew up are hugely different to the soil and weather on the farm where my brother grows vegetables … they are 23 miles apart.
I used to live in mid Suffolk … I now live in central Norfolk. I can assure you that the soil conditions are profoundly different here to those where I used to live. In Suffolk I gardened on heavy clay … here, only 34 miles north I grow vegetables on very free draining gritty terminal moraine.
The difference to neighbours soils can and will be different yes. What does that have to do with the good blight resistance of the Sarpo Mira potato? Which has this good resistance anywhere on the globe? Can you tell me what varieties have the best disease résistance of the original vegetables mentioned in 'your area'? The fact that nobody can name at least one for their "area" presuming that disease is completely geographic doesn't scream confidence for me, I don't think I'll bother asking the local 'gardeners' either, they've already been a disappointment twice. When I do find the answers I seek I'll make sure to keep it a secret like everybody else. Thanks for your time everyone.
I can't help with the varieties but disease resistance is only one part of the problem. A variety might have great disease resistance but it doesn't mean that it will grow well in your conditions.
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Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.
Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.
https://www.nvsuk.org.uk/events/harrogate-flower-show might yield an opportunity to meet competitors living locally to you and gain from their experience.
Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.
Personal preference and weather come into it as well.
I have to say you're misguided if you think that growing conditions are similar throughout the UK.
My allotment is on heavy clay, the next village has allotments near a river and it's deep loamy soil.