I think it depends both on what part of the country you're in and how
severe the weather is - I suspect it's more of a gamble the further
north you go.

I'm in the Midlands, near Derby and mine weren't protected at all, as
far as I know, but I only took the allotment over in January. It wasn't
a particularly harsh winter here at all.

My copy of _The Vegetable Expert_ says that the best varieties for
overwintering are "Aquadulce" and "The Sutton", but I've had the book
for over fifteen years now, so there may well be more recently
developed varieties that are better.


Thank you Carol, I might give that a try, I live a bit further south than
you do, near Milton Keynes.

Wally