Anyone growing food in the outer hebrides?

[peak_oil]

I am planning on moving to the outer Hebrides soon and was wondering if anyone lived or grew anything there?

Would a polytunnel be needed?

[pumpy]

Don't know anything about the Hebredian climate, but i would think that a polytunnel will be a major asset, ( as it is anywhere). However, i reckon it would need to be very sturdy as i guess there a lot of strong winds around that neck-of-the-woods.

[betsytimmins]

I've just moved away from there where I grew great veg that i was selling at the gate! Now, where I had an old schoolhouse that was filled with Klondiker soil from the 19C, my father at another property used to dig seaweed into the soil and did very well too. Traditionally the locals grow potatoes in feannagan ("lazy beds") but there are horticultural societies there too. Polytunnels are used. Hope this inspires.

[peak_oil]

What kind of veg did you manage to grow outside?

[becks77]

We have rellies on Orkney and they grow allsorts outside without a tunnel but inside a low walled garden, as I understand it can be the wind not the temps that are the issue
Best wishes

[Annpan]

If you try to find a climate report of where you are aiming for it would help.

The temperatures are pretty mild, you get a lot of sunlight for 6 months a year and very little for the other 6.

You will probably find that you can grow most standard 'british climate' veg - Carrots, onions, courgettes, broccoli, potatoes, some peas and beans, lettuce, etc...
You might even find that you can grow more exotic things at is rarely below freezing.

You will most definitely need lots of shelter from the winds and a poly tunnel would be handy.


I don't know much about the Outer Hebrides, but on the North West of Mainland Scotland they grow Palm trees it is so mild.