Hungry gap facts for kids

The hungry gap is a time in spring when there aren't many fresh vegetables available from gardens or allotments. This usually happens in places with a temperate oceanic climate, which means areas near the ocean with mild winters and cool summers. The hungry gap starts when vegetables that grew through the winter, like brussels sprouts and winter cauliflowers, start to "bolt." This means they grow tall and produce flowers instead of more leaves or vegetables, especially as the days get warmer and longer. It can also start sooner if a very hard frost kills these plants. The hungry gap ends when the first new broad beans of the season are ready to pick.

What Causes the Hungry Gap?

The hungry gap happens because of the natural growing cycle of plants.

• Winter Vegetables Finish: Many vegetables that grow during the colder months, like certain types of cabbage and brassicas, reach the end of their life cycle in spring. As the weather warms up and days get longer, these plants often "bolt." This means they quickly grow a tall stem and flower, trying to make seeds. Once a plant bolts, its leaves or edible parts often become tough or bitter.
• New Crops Aren't Ready: At the same time, new spring and summer vegetables are just starting to grow. They need time to sprout from seeds and mature before they can be harvested. This creates a period where the old crops are finishing, and the new ones aren't ready yet.
• Frost Damage: Sometimes, a very cold frost in late winter or early spring can damage or kill overwintered crops, making the hungry gap even worse.

How Gardeners Bridge the Gap

Gardeners have found clever ways to get through the hungry gap and have fresh food.

• Using Stored Food: One way is to use vegetables harvested and stored from the previous year. However, this can be tricky. For example, stored potatoes might start to sprout if the weather gets warm, making them less good to eat.
• Autumn-Sown Broad Beans: Some gardeners plant broad bean seeds in the autumn. If they survive the winter, these plants can produce beans earlier in the spring than those planted in the spring. But this is risky because a very cold winter can kill the seeds in the ground.
• Growing in Warm Places: Gardeners can also use special warm places to start summer vegetables earlier.
  • Heated greenhouses: These are buildings made of glass or plastic that keep plants warm, allowing them to grow even when it's cold outside.
  • Hotbeds: These are like mini-greenhouses that use natural heat, often from decomposing compost, to warm the soil and help seedlings grow faster.

Hungry Gap Kale

There is a special type of kale called "Hungry Gap." This kale is named after this period because it's one of the few vegetables that grows well and can be harvested during the hungry gap. It was first introduced for farming in the UK in 1941, helping people have fresh greens when other vegetables were scarce. You can learn more about it in the cultivars of kale section.