To get a good crop of Potatoes start them
into growth now, to do this place them in
seed box's with eye's uppermost, this is
were shoots develop, ( this is known as
chitting ) place the trays in a cool frost
free place with plenty of light but not
direct Sunlight, four weeks before planting,
water the tubers at regular intervals with
a diluted mix of seaweed extract.
Shallots can be planted now until the end
of March, but the soil must be fairly dry
and warm, covering the soil with polythene
2 weeks before planting will do the trick.
When planting don't push the bulbs into
the ground as this will compact the soil,
dig a small hole with a trowel put the bulb
in leaving the tip showing, plant 9ins apart
in rows 12ins apart. Deep well dug fertile
soil in full Sun yields the best results,
if you didn't manure the soil the previous
season rake in pelleted chicken manure before
planting .
NOW's the time to sow Brussels Sprouts an
F1 hybrid such as " Per Gynt" for picking
in August, using multi-cells, sow two seed
per cell germinating them in gentle heat
in the greenhouse. Once they are through
remove the weakest seedling from each pair
then put them in a cold frame, plant
out in early spring, when the weather permits.
Summer cabbage can also be sown under cover
in multi cell trays, harden off before planting
.
towards the end of the month we can make
a start in the greenhouse by sowing Peppers
and Aubergines, sow the seeds in small pots,
cover with a fine layer of sieved compost
and keep evenly moist, a fairly high temperature
is needed 65-70F ( 18-21C ) will give
good results.
Tomatoes
Brussels Sprouts
Cauliflower
Kale
Leeks
Garlic
What are Western Brassicas ?
Month by month diary on jobs to do
Allotment Preparation |
