Hartley Lane Allotment society- Vegetable year planner

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Vegetable Year

Veg year planner

Here are some general hints for veg growing through the year

Hover over the table text for cultivation hints
Click the calendar icon for that months tasks
Click the vegetable name for more cultivation advice

Prep Prepare ground for new plantings, add compost/manure. Rake in growmore shortly before planting.

Plant plant offsets (rooted suckers) in prepared area.

Care Water well and mulch around plant to retain moisture.

Feed Apply liquid fertilizer each fortnight to help establish the plant.

Harvest Remove globe heads on first year plantings do not allow to flower. Harvest heads on established plants.

Harvest Continue to harvest heads before they flower. Keep well watered in dry weather and feed.

Harvest Continue to harvest before flowers form. water in dry weather and feed.

Care Cut down stems and protect crowns from winter weather by mulching with straw.

Artichoke
Jerusalem

Plant If weather and soil conditions allow plant tubers at the end of the month in prepared area.

Plant Plant tubers 18 inch apart, 6 inch deep in rows 1 yard apart. Back fill row making a small ridge on top.

Care Continue to earth up rows to help support the tall growing stem. Water if the weather is very dry.

Care Give support to the very tall stems as they grow in windy areas. Feed with liquid fertilizer occasionally.

Care During summer cut off any flower buds as they form, feed with liquid fertilizer occasionally.

Harvest Cut down the stems to 1 foot once the leaves have turned brown. harvest the tubers as and when required.

Harvest Continue to harvest when required. Protection may be needed in severe weather- mulch with straw.
Retain some tubers for planting purposes.

Asparagus

Prep Before the spears appear in spring, ridge soil over each row and apply a general fertilizer to the surface.

Plant Plant crowns in trenches 3ft apart if the soil conditions allow.
Newly planted crowns should be allowed to grow on for one season before cropping.

Harvest Start cutting from one year old crowns, spears should be 4 to 5 inch's in height and severed 3 inches below soil surface.

Harvest In the middle of june stop cutting and allow the spears to develop into ferns, in order to build up reserves.

Care Keep the beds free from weeds and water if the weather is dry, remove any berries that are produced before they have a chance to ripen.

Care Cut down the ferns as they turn yellow. The stumps should be 1 to 2 inch above the soil surface.

Aubergine

Sow Sow seeds, under glass with a little heat.
Pot up the seedlings when large enough to handle.

Plant Late this month transplant into final growing position in the greenhouse.
Grow in a 9 inch pot or 3 to a large growing bag.

Plant Outdoor planting in a warm, sheltered sunny position could be tried, once the plants are hardened off.

Care Mist plants to help keep down red spider mite and help the fruits to set.
Water regularly, feed with high potash fertilizer.

Care Stake the plants as they grow to avoid the stems ripping as the fruits develop.
Water and feed regularly.

Harvest Cut the fruit as it reaches a usable size around (5-6inch),
but before the surface shine has gone. Dull fruits are usually over-ripe and bitter.

Bean
Broad

Sow Sow outdoors under frames or cloches.
Alternatively sow in pots in a cold greenhouse for planting out in late march.

Sow Continue to sow outdoors under cloches to produce a staggered crop.
Plant out earlier pot sown plants with a little protection.

Sow Continue to sow for a staggered crop.
Provide some form of support for tall growing varieties.

Care Pinch off the top 3 inch of stem when the first beans start to form.
This encourages early beans and helps with control of blackfly attack.

Harvest Begin picking the beans when they are 2 to 3 inch's long, for cooking whole.
After this the beans will need podding.

Harvest Continue to harvest as the beans are just beginning to show through the pod.
Take care not to rip the plant stem in the process.

Care As the plants finish cropping, dig the remains into the soil, as this is a good source of green manure.

Sow On sheltered plots with well drained soil sow seeds for an early June crop next year
In all but the mildest winters cloche or frame protection will be needed.

Bean
French

Sow Sow seeds outdoors under cloches or frames.
Alternatively sow in pots in a cold greenhouse for planting after the last frost.

Sow Continue to sow for a staggered crop.
Support dwarf beans with short twiggy stick, climbing varieties will need poles,strings or netting to grow up.

Care Water regularly as lack of moisture at the roots will lead to a shorter cropping season.

Harvest Begin to harvest when the beans are 4 inches long and snap easily when bent.
Pick frequently as allowing the beans to form in the pods reduces the crop.

Harvest Haricot (dried beans) for storage are obtained by leaving the pods on the plant until they turn straw-coloured, then dried indoors

Prep Prepare the bed by incorporating manure or compost, check that the soil is not acid and apply lime if needed.

Bean
Runner

Prep Erect a sturdy frame work of poles or netting next to the pre-prepared bed for the beans to climb as they grow.
Apply a general fertilizer 2 weeks before planting.

Sow Sow seeds individually in small pots in the greenhouse late this month in preparation for planting out after the last frost.

Plant Gradually harden off young plants sown last month.
Begin planting out at the end of this month if the weather is favorable.

Plant Finnish planting pot grown plants.
Or sow seeds direct into the ground.
Protect plants and seedlings from slugs.

Care Keep plants weed free and water regularly to ensure steady growth.
Mulching around the bottom of the plants will help to conserve water.

Harvest Pick the beans regularly once they start to crop, Leaving beans to mature on the plant will cause them to stop flowering And end crop production.

Care Once the plants have finished cropping, cut the stems down and compost.
Dig the roots in to the soil, as a free source of nitrogen

Prep Prepare a good sized trench for next years crop. Add plenty of compost/manure to aid moisture retention.

Beetroot

Sow Apply a general fertilizer 2 week before sowing.
Sow a bolt-resistant variety under frames or cloches to obtain a very early crop in late May or June.

Sow Start successional sowing's over the next two months to have a steady supply,
thin the seedlings to 4 inch apart as they germinate.

Sow Continue to sow, harvest the very early plants as they become of a useable size, Keep plants and seed beds free from weeds.

Sow A late sowing this month will produce crops in autumn at optimum size for storage in boxes of dry peat for winter use.

Care Dryness leads to woodiness and low yields, a sudden return to wet conditions can cause splitting, so keep the soil moist by mulching between the rows.

Harvest Continue harvesting, pulling alternate plants to allow the others room to reach maturity.
Keep the beds free of weeds.

Harvest Roots that are to be stored should be lifted now.
Twist off the foliage to leave 2 inch of stem and store layered in boxes of dry peat.

Broccoli

Harvest Early varieties of purple sprouting should be ready this month if the winter has not been too harsh.

Harvest Both purple and white sprouting will be ready to pick.
Harvest when the heads are fully formed but before flowering.

Sow Sow winter varieties outdoors in a seed bed, under cloches if the weather is poor.
Alternatively in a cold greenhouse in seed trays.

Sow Sow the Calabrese varieties (green sprouting) this month for cropping in autumn.
Prepare beds for planting next month- rake general fertilizer into the soil surface.

Plant Plant out in to firm soil, water the plants in well and keep moist by covering the soil surface with a mulch.

Care Keep beds clear of weeds and water in dry weather.
Broccoli is prone to pests, watch for caterpillars at this time of year.

Harvest Start to harvest calabrese before the heads flower.
The large central head is followed by smaller sprouts further down the stem.

Prep Prepare beds for spring planting. Dig in compost/manure in autumn if the soil is poor.
Apply lime in winter if necessary.

Brussels
Sprouts

Sow Sow early varieties under cloches or in frames to produce a crop in September.
Extend the cropping season by selecting both early and late varieties.

Sow Continue to sow later varieties.
Plant early sowing into a well firmed soil.

Plant Plant out seedlings as they reach 4-6 inch high
Water in well and firm the soil around the plant.
Protect from birds.

Care keep beds weed free and water in dry weather.
Pests to watch for are caterpillars and whitefly.

Care Earth up soil around the stems and stake tall growing varieties to combat wind-rock later in winter.

Harvest Pick crops from the earliest sowings, start at the bottom of the stem and work upwards.
Remove the lower leaves as you go.

Harvest Continue to pick crops.
Remove any yellowing lower leaves from the plant or the soil surface as these are homes for over winter pests.

Prep The soil where Cabbage are to be grown should be very firm. So no need to dig in spring.

Sow Sow Early varieties for picking in September, in a well prepared seed bed or in trays and prick out to grow on in small pots or cells.

Sow Continue to sow latter varieties,
Keep well watered to produce steady growth.
Protect from birds if grow outside.

Plant Transplant to final growing position when the plants are 5 to 6 inch high.
Spacing 18 to 24 inch apart. Firm in well when planted and water.

Plant Continue to plant out as the plants are ready, Keep well watered, and protect from birds with netting if necessary.

Harvest Start to harvest early varieties at the end of this month.
Dependent on the variety sown the harvest can continue until March next year.

Prep Start to prepare beds for next year. Add compost or well rotted manure and allow the soil to consolidate over winter, as Cabbages require a very firm soil to grow well.

Cabbage
Spring

Care As the weather warms up at the end of this month and plants start back into growth, a small application of general fertilizer around the stem of each plant can help.

Harvest Start to harvest whilst the plants are still young.
Harvest alternate plants in the row to allow others room to grow on.

Harvest Harvest plants before the heads split or run to seed, Clear the beds after harvest has finished to prepare for the new season.

Sow Sow seeds in a well prepared seed bed, or in trays to prick-out in to small pots/cells.
Keep seedlings well watered and protect from birds if necessary.

Prep Prepare the bed for spring Cabbage by removing weeds and firming the soil.
No need for any fertilizer at this stage as slow steady growth is what is required.

Plant Transplant as the seedlings reach 5 to 6 inch high. 18 inch apart. water the plants in and firm the soil around the stem.
Cover plants with netting to protect from birds.

Cabbage
Summer

Prep Clear beds of weeds where the plants are to grow to maturity. Don't dig the soil as Cabbages require a firm ground to grow in.

Sow Sow early varieties under cloches/frames or in cold greenhouse in trays for a early harvest in July.

Sow Sow in a prepared seed bed or in trays indoors to prick-out in to small pot/cells.
protect with netting if birds are a problem.

Plant As plants reach 5 to 6 inch high transplant to final growing position.
Planting 18 to 24 inch apart depending on the size of the variety.

Care Keep plants weed free and water in dry weather to promote steady growth.
Keep plants under netting if birds are a problem.

Harvest Harvest the early varieties as the are ready.
Water the plants in dry weather, as drought and then heavy water can cause the maturing heads to split.

Harvest Continue to harvest, clear away the crop remains as the are picked as these can harbor pests that will attack the remainder of the crop.

Prep Start to prepare beds for next year.
Add compost or well rotted manure and allow the soil to consolidate over winter.

Cabbage
Winter

Prep The soil should be very firm. So no need to dig in spring.
Clear any weeds and rake in a general fertilizer two to three weeks before planting.

Sow Sow Early varieties for picking in September, in a well prepared seed bed or in trays and prick out to grow on in small pots or cells.

Sow Continue to sow late varieties,
Keep well watered to produce steady growth.
Protect from birds if grow outside.

Plant Transplant when the plants are 5 to 6 inch high. Spacing 18 to 24 inch apart, too allow the plant room to mature.
Firm in well when planted and water if the weather is dry.

Plant Continue to plant out as the plants are ready, Keep well watered, and protect from birds with netting if necessary.

Harvest Start to harvest early varieties at the end of this month.
Dependent on the variety sown the harvest can continue until March next year.

Prep Prepare beds for next year. Add compost or well rotted manure and allow the soil to consolidate over winter, as Cabbages require a very firm soil to grow well.

Carrot

Prep Rake the bed down to a good tilth adding a general fertilizer two weeks before sowing.

Sow Sow a short rooted or forcing variety under cloches or frames. sow thinly to avoid the need to thin the crop.

Sow Continue to sow early/short rooted varieties, protect with cloches or frames if the weather is poor.

Sow Sow main crop varieties at regular intervals until the end of June, to produce a continuous crop to the end of October.

Care Cover the crop with fleece or other insect netting to defend against Carrot root fly attack.

Harvest Harvest early sown crops as they become of a useable size. Firm the soil around the remaining plants.

Sow Sow a early variety and cover with cloches from October to harvest young Carrots in November/December.

Harvest Harvest main crop varieties for storing over winter, Lift and store in boxes of sand or dry peat.

Prep Prepare Carrot bed for next year, adding compost if needed, But not manure as this makes the plant 'fork

Cauliflower

Sow Sow an early summer variety under glass, for planting out in March.

Sow Sow summer varieties in seed bed or in trays in a cold greenhouse to grow on in small pot/cells.

Sow Sow autumn varieties in seed beds or in trays in a cold greenhouse to grow on in small pots/cells.

Sow Sow winter varieties for a crop in early spring next year.

Plant Plant all varieties when they have 5 to 6 leaves, firm soil around the plant and water in.

Harvest Harvest early sown summer varieties if not already started.

Plant Plant out winter Cauliflowers when they have 5 to 6 leaves.

Harvest Start to harvest autumn varieties. cleaning up the crop remains as you go.

Prep Prepare beds by digging in plenty of compost or well rotted manure, lime the area later in the year if needed.

Celeriac

Prep Prepare bed by incorporating well rotted manure to the soil to retain moisture.

Sow Sow seeds two to a small pot/cell under glass, remove the weaker seedling on germination.

Prep Clean planting area of weeds, rake in a general fertilizer two weeks before planting.

Plant Harden plants off
and plant out 18 inch apart

Care Keep crops weed free, consider mulching around the plant to conserve moisture. Give an occasional feed.

Remove any side shoots that may have developed, remove lower leaves to expose the crown a little.

Harvest Harvest the crop as it becomes of a useable size, cover with straw or peat if the weather is poor.

Harvest On cold heavy soils lift the crop and store in boxes of damp peat.

Celery

Sow Sow seeds under glass with a little heat, plants need to grow steadily without any check due to cold.

Care Prick out the small seedlings into pots/cells. make sure the plants never go short of water but are not over watered.

Care Harden off the plants in preparation for planting out after the last frost.

Plant Blanching type: Plant out into well prepared celery trench.
Self blanching type: plant in blocks 9 inch apart. Water plants in well.

Care Water and feed the plants regularly, keep area weed free, mulch the soil under self-blanching type to conserve moisture.

Care Earth up trench celery when the plants are 12 inch high, removing any side shoots that have developed.

Harvest Harvest self-blanching type from now on and finish before the first frost.

Harvest Start to harvest the trench Celery, crop from one end of the row and replace the soil to protect any remaining plants.

Chicory

Harvest Chicons are ready to cut when they are about 6 inch high. Continue to plant roots for extended cropping period.

Prep Prepare seed bed, remove any weeds, rake to a fine tilth adding a general fertilizer to the top few inch.

Sow Sow seeds thinly half inch deep in rows 12 inch apart.
Thin seedlings to 6 inch apart to allow room to grow on.

Care Water plants in dry weather, keep area weed free by hoeing regularly.

Harvest Lift roots and cut back leaves to 1 inch above crown, store in boxes of sand in a cool dry place until required.

Force Plant 3 roots in 9 inch pots, leave the crown exposed,
Cover pots to exclude light and grow on.

Corn Salad

Prep Prepare a seed bed for next months sowing by raking and adding a general fertilizer to the top 2 inch of soil.

Sow Sow seeds half inch deep in drills 6 inch apart, guard against birds and protect seedlings from slugs.

Care Thin seedlings to 6 inch apart to allow room to mature, keep soil moist and area weed free.

Harvest Harvest by picking a few young leaves from each plant, do not strip the stem bare.

Harvest Harvesting can continue through out the winter months until the plants are exhausted.

Courgette

Prep Prepare a planting station for each plant by adding compost or well rotted manure to a 12 inch square hole,

Sow Sow seeds individually edgeways in 3 inch pots of compost half inch deep, indoors in gentle heat.

Care Harden the plants off before planting at the end of the month, in the prepared station.

Plant Plant hardened off plants in prepared areas, guard against slugs and protect with frame or cloche if the weather is cold.

Care Keep the plants well watered, consider mulching the soil around the plant to retain moisture.

Harvest Harvest the crop regularly when still young, as maturing fruits delay further crop production.

Harvest Continue harvesting the crop whilst young. Allow one or two fruits to mature at the end of the month to produce marrow sized pickings next month.

Cucumber

Sow Sow seeds in a heated greenhouse edge ways in 3 inch pots of compost. Wait until next month if heat is not available.

Sow Sow seeds indoors, seeds need warmth to germinate so heat will be needed, wait until the end of the month if the weather is poor.

Plant Plant early sown crops in the greenhouse.
Sow seeds of outdoor varieties for planting in June.

Plant Finish planting greenhouse crops into there final position.
Plant out hardened off outdoor varieties if the weather allows.

Care Train plants up strings or canes, keep well watered but never waterlogged. Feed with high potash fertilizer once the fruits start to form at fortnightly intervals.

Harvest Harvest fruits regularly and when young to maintain crop production. Keep feeding and watering plants.

Garlic

Prep Clear intended planting area of weeds and rake in a general fertilizer to the top 2 inch of soil.

Plant Split the garlic head into individual cloves and plant, 2 inch deep 6-8 inch apart in the prepared growing area.

Care Water if the weather is dry and keep the growing area weed free so the plants do not have to compete for moisture.

Harvest Harvest the bulbs when the foliage has turned yellow and begins to die down. Lift the bulbs and dry off in a dry environment.

Care Store dried bulbs in a cool frost free place, in net bags or as strings.

Harvest Harvest plain-leaved varieties by stripping leaves from the crown of the plant to stimulate new young tender growth.

Sow Sow curly-leaved varieties in a prepared seed bed for planting out in late June and harvesting before Christmas.

Sow Sow plain-leaved varieties, thin seedlings to 3 inch apart to allow room to develop.

Plant Plant curly-leaved varieties in well consolidated ground, spacing 18 inch between plants, water-in well in dry weather.

Plant Plant plain-leaved varieties in well consolidated ground, 18 inch apart, keep well watered in dry weather.

Harvest Start to harvest curly-leaved varieties at the end of this month, taking a few young leaves from each plants crown.

Kohl Rabi

Sow Sow green and white varieties, half inch deep in rows 12 inch apart, at fortnightly intervals for a successional crop

Care Gradually thin the seedlings to 6 inch apart to avoid weak growth, protect from birds with netting,

Harvest Harvest the earliest sowings when they reach a usable size, keep remaining plants watered and occasionally feed if growth is weak.

Sow Sow the latter purple variety this month for a late autumn/early winter harvest.

Harvest Continue to harvest crop as is it comes to a useable size. Do not lift and store the crop as it deteriorates quickly after lifting.

Leek

Sow For an early summer crop sow seeds under glass in small trays or pot, prick-out and grow on.

Sow Sow seeds outdoors in a prepared seed bed, thin seedlings to 2 inch apart in the rows.

Plant Plant early hardened off glass house grown plants in the prepared growing area.
Spacing 6-8 inch apart and 12 inch between rows.

Plant Transplant outdoor seedlings when they are 8 inch high and about the thickness of a pencil.
Set the plants in a 6 inch deep hole made with a dibber, fill the hole with water to settle the roots in.

Care Gradually blanch the stems by earthing up with soil around the plant.
Feeding will help thicken the stems.

Harvest Start to lift the leeks when they are still quite young this will prolong the harvesting period.

Harvest Continue to harvest the crop when required, in most areas leeks will stand through the winter.

Prep Prepare ground by digging in well rotted manure or compost.

Lettuce

Sow Sow an early summer variety under glass in small peat pots for planting next month with cloche or frame protection.

Sow Sow seeds under frames or cloches, thin seedlings to a spacing of between 6 and 12 inch dependent on variety.
Protect seedlings from slugs.

Sow Continue to sow small batches of seeds to produce a continuous supply, Protect with cloches if the weather is poor.

Sow Sow seeds in short rows each fortnight, protect emerging plants from slugs, net the crop if birds are a problem.

Harvest Pick crops as they become usable, Keep plants well watered, watch for greenfly pests.

Sow Germination can be temperamental in high temperatures, an alternative is to sow in small peat pots in a shaded area and transplant.

Harvest Continue to harvest, lift the whole plant and compost any plant material left after cleaning.

Sow Sow a winter hardy variety under cloches at the end of the month, for an early crop in April next year.

Marrow

Prep Prepare a planting station for each plant by adding compost or well rotted manure to a 12 inch square hole,

Sow Sow seeds individually edgeways in 3 inch pots of compost half inch deep, indoors in gentle heat.

Care Harden the plants off before planting at the end of the month, in the prepared station.

Plant Plant hardened off plants in prepared areas, guard against slugs and protect with frame or cloche if the weather is cold.

Care Keep the plants well watered, consider mulching the soil around the plant to retain moisture.

Harvest Harvest the fruits when still young for a larger crop.
For large fruits limit each plant to 2-3 fruits

Harvest Harvest crop before the first frosts and store in a dry, cool environment.

Onion

Sow Sow exhibition varieties this month under glass with gentle heat to produce extra large bulbs.

Sow Sow main crop varieties in small pots or trays under glass. Prick-out the seedlings into pots/cells and grow on for planting in early April.

Plant Plant Shallots and Onion sets this month in a prepared area, spacing 4-8 inch apart.

Plant Gradually accustom plants raised under glass to the outdoors and plant 6 inch apart in a prepared area at the end of the month.

Care Keep growing area weed free as these compete for moisture and nutriments, drastically reducing the size of the crop.

Care Give the onions an occasional feed, but over feeding will produce soft growth and affect storing qualities of the crop.
Only water the crop if the weather is really dry.

Harvest Harvest Shallots when the leaves turn yellow. Separate the bulbs and dry for storage.

Harvest Harvest main crop Onions 2 weeks after the leaves have turned yellow and gone over. Lift the bulbs and dry in a warm sunny spot or undercover if the weather is wet.

Care Clean dried bulbs of any lose skins and any remaining soil, store in nets, on trays or as Onion ropes in a well-lit and cool place.

Prep Prepare intended growing area by digging in liberal quantities of compost/well rotted manure, lime the area later if soil is acid.

Parsnip

Prep Prepare seed bed by raking the soil to a fine tilth and adding general fertilizer to the top 2 inch.

Sow Sow seeds 3 to a station, 6 inch apart half inch deep with 12 inch between rows. Cloche or frame protection may be needed if the weather is poor.

Care Thin the seedlings to one per station, lightly water the remaining seedlings to resettle the roots.

Care Keep the growing area weed free.
Only water in prolonged dry spells.

Harvest Harvest as the foliage begins to die down. The crop flavour is said to improve after the first frost

Prep Prepare the ground by digging deeply and removing any stones or debris that could cause forking of the roots.

Pea

Sow Sow an early variety in well prepared ground, cover with frames or cloches.

Care Supply support for the emerging plant in the form of netting or twiggy pea sticks.

Sow Sow second early varieties in well prepared ground, provide protection from birds, cover with cloches if the weather is poor.

Sow Sow main crop varieties, protect from birds and supply adequate support for taller growing types.

Harvest Harvest Peas when they are still young. water in dry weather, consider mulching around the plant to conserve moisture.

Sow Sow an early variety now for an autumn crop in late September/early October.

Care After harvest has finished. Cut the down the tops and compost, leave the roots to rot in the soil to supply additional nitrogen to the following crop.

Harvest Harvest crops from late sowings, cropping should be over before the first frosts.

Prep Prepare ground by digging in plenty of compost/well rotted manure to the area.

Pepper

Sow Sow seeds under glass with gentle heat, prick-out into small cells/pots when large enough to handle. if heating is limited wait until next month.

Sow Sow seeds at the end of this month under glass if heating is limited, to produce a later and slightly reduced crop.

Care Re pot plants at several stages to maintain steady growth.

Plant Set out young plants in their final growing position. In the greenhouse grow in 9 inch pots or 2-3 plants per grow bag.

Plant Plant outdoors in a very sheltered, sunny spot, in well prepared ground. Outdoor harvests vary greatly and are dependant on the weather that growing season.

Care Water plants regularly and feed with high potash fertilizer once fruits have set. Mist plants to combat Red-spider mites and encourage fruits to set.

Harvest Pick the fruits when they are green, swollen and glossy. cut as required- green fruits will turn red in about 3 weeks under glass.

Potato

Prep Set the tubers out in boxes (rose end up) to chit. Keep them in a dry, light, frost free place so the eyes of the tubers develop small sprouts.

Plant When the soil is workable plant first early tubers 5 inch deep, 12 inch apart with 24 inch between rows.

Plant Plant second early varieties at the start of the month.
Main crop varieties are planted at the end of the month with wider spacing of the tubers.

Care Earth up the plants as they grow until they are about 9 inch high, this helps increase the crop and stops greening of Potatoes at the surface.

Harvest Harvest first early varieties when the plants flowers are fully developed.

Harvest Second early varieties are ready to harvest when the plants flowers have faded.

Harvest Harvest main crop varieties when the foliage has turned brown. Lift the tubers and allow to dry for several hours before storing in sacks placed in a dark frost free place.

Radish

Prep Dig peat or well rotted compost in to the soil and apply a general fertilizer 2 weeks before sowing.

Sow Sow seeds thinly in prepared ground, under cloches or frames.

Sow Sow seeds thinly, spacing 1-2 inch apart to eliminate the need for thinning. Sow at fortnightly intervals to produce a continuous crop.

Care keep area weed free and water in dry weather to promote rapid uninterrupted growth.

Sow Continue to sow frequently and keep well watered. for rapid growth.

Sow Summer Radish grow poorly in hot dry weather, as an alternative sow winter varieties for cropping in October.

Harvest Harvest winter varieties as and when needed, protect the the crowns with straw if the weather is poor.

Harvest Harvest the remaining winter cropping varieties, lift and store in boxes of dry peat.

Rhubarb

Plant Plant new root divisions in well prepared soil, allow new plants 12-18 months to establish before harvesting.

Force Force an early crop by excluding light with bucket or bin over the whole plant. Harvest in about 6 weeks time.

Harvest Harvest the sticks when they are a usable size, do not strip a plant of all stalks. Continue harvesting until July.

Care Remove any flower shoots that may appear as these can sap the growth from the plant.

Care Stop harvesting stalks from now on and give the plant a feed of general fertilizer.

Care cover the crowns of the plants with compost or well rotted manure.

Spinach

Prep Rake the soil in the growing area to a fine tilth and apply a general fertilizer 2 weeks before sowing.

Sow Sow short rows every few weeks of summer varieties from now until june to supply a continuous crop.

Care Keep the bed weed free and water if the weather is dry, Spinach soon runs to seed if its roots are starved of moisture.

Harvest Start to pick young leaves as they become a usable size, Keep plants well watered.

Sow Sow a New Zealand variety to produce a crop from July to September, keep well watered for steady growth.

Harvest Harvest young shoots from New Zealand varieties, pick frequently to encourage further crop production.

Sow Sow winter varieties now for a crop in late September and again in April.

Prep Dig the intended growing area deeply and apply lime if the soil is known to be acid.

Swede

Prep Apply a general fertilizer to the seed bed, rake and firm the soil as Swede require a firm soil to grow well.

Sow Sow seeds very thinly half inch deep and 15 inch between rows.

Care Gradually thin out the seedlings to their final spacing of 9 inch, water remaining plants to resettle the soil around their roots.

Care Keep the soil moist for steady growth, drought and then flood will make the roots split and ruin the crop.

Harvest Start to lift the roots as they become a usable size. Roots can be left in the ground over winter and lifted when required.

Prep Dig the soil now and apply lime if needed this gives the ground time to settle over winter.

Sweetcorn

Sow Sow seeds in small pots/cells under glass and grow on, re-potting as necessary.

Care Gradually harden the young plants off for planting out next month when the risk of frosts has passed.

Plant Plant out into a well prepared area, set out 18 inch apart in blocks rather than rows to allow effective wind pollination.

Care If roots appear at the base of the stem cover with soil or mulch. Keep plant watered in dry weather.

Harvest Cobs will be ready for harvest when the silks at the end of the cob have turned dark brown.

Prep Dig in quantities of peat or old compost if the previous crop was not manured.

Tomato

Sow Sow greenhouse varieties under glass in small trays and prick-out the seedlings when they are large enough to handle into pots/ cells re pot as required.

Sow Sow seeds of outdoor varieties under glass, prick-out and grow on, re pot as required.

Plant Plant greenhouse varieties in their final position when they are 8-9 inch tall and the first flowers begin to open.

Plant Plant outdoor varieties after hardening off. position plants 18-24 inch apart, supply support for cordon type plants.

Care Tie cordon types to supports, remove side shoots when still small, keep plants well watered, feed fortnightly after the first fruits develop.

Harvest Harvest fruits when they are ripe and fully developed, pick by lifting fruit upwards gently as not to damage the remaining fruit.

Harvest At the end of the season any remaining green fruit can be ripened indoors

Turnip

Prep When the soil is workable rake in a general fertilizer and firm the ground, Turnips require firm soil to grow well.

Sow Sow an early or forcing variety under cloches or frames in a prepared area.

Sow Sow early varieties thinly, gradually thin the seedlings 5 inch apart.

Harvest Harvest early sowings when they are between golf ball and tennis ball size.

Care Keep plants well watered in dry weather, as drought followed by flood causes the roots to split.

Sow Sow main crop varieties thinly, gradually thin seedlings to 9 inch apart, keep well watered.

Harvest Start to harvest main crop varieties as they become a usable size, lift as and when required.

Harvest On cold, wet soils lift the remaining crop and store in boxes of dry peat or sand for later use.