Each vegetable has an ideal time for planting .
- It’s biological clock will encourage it to germinate at this time.
- The temperature of the soil will also have an affect. If it is an early spring, and the soil has warmed up, planting can be earlier than normal.
- The dampness of the soil is important. If it is very wet, the soil will tend to glue together when the seeds are planted. The air will be squeezed out of the soil & the seed will be unhappy. Wet soil is also colder.
- The planting location should be considered. A windy spot will be colder, and therefore later. A protected walled garden will be warmer, so sowing can be earlier.
- Frost pockets should be considered.
Click the image below to see a chart of vegetable planting dates, which shows planting dates
& weeks between sowing & harvest.
veg-planting-dates
Contact us if you would like a pdf of the vegetable planting dates chart.
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There is still time to plant fruit trees.
pears-to-pick
The planting season is in their dormant season, any time during the winter and early Spring months.
- Bare root fruit trees should be planted out when they are dormant – from late October until February or early March. November & December are the best months as it gives the fruit trees time to settle in before the growing season.
- Pot grown fruit trees can be planted out almost anytime, as long as they are watered well & looked after for a good couple of years after planting
Victoria-plum-tree
Growing fresh fruit gives lasting rewards! Fruit trees yield fruit year after year! Fruit is easy to store and contributes to a healthy diet
Fruit trees can be grown in a variety of places, and there are varieties for small spaces. Places to grow fruit trees include:
- vegetable garden
- flower garden
- allotment
- patio
- decking
- balcony
medlar
Click this link to buy some fruit trees whilst there is still time to plant them.
The recently developed Moruno tomato has twice as much lycopene as normal tomatoes.
Lycopene:
- gives tomatoes their red colour
- reduces the risk of prostrate cancer
Moruno tomatoes were developed in Spain, but are now on sale in Tesco! Moruno tomatoes are being dubbed superfoods because of their high cancer-fighting lycopene content.
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The UK potatoes for schools project teaches primary aged children about potatoes.
Children learn:
- how potatoes grow
- how potatoes fit in to a healthy balanced diet
The potatoes for schools project is linked to the UK curricular.
All you have to do is register your school to:
- receive a FREE potato growing kit
- use the supporting lesson plans and worksheets
- have a chance to win fabulous prizes for your school
- enter the competition once you have harvested
Click this link to take part in the potato growing project for schools.
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Vales Emerald is a popular, high yielding, first early potato variety which tastes good.
Vales Emerald :
- produces a large number of new potatoes
- matures quickly , making it a very early potato
- is a Maris Peer x Charlotte cross
- has red violet flowers
vales emerald potato seed
Vales Emerald potato tubers are:
- round to oval
- white skinned
- cream fleshed
- shallow eyed
- firm & waxy
- great tasting
Uses of Vales Emerald:
- boil or steam
- serve hot or cold
- ideal salad potato
Click this link to buy some seed of the first early variety of potatoes Vales Emerald
Chitting potatoes must be done properly, according to John Sarup of the SAC.
Chitting is the controlled production of sprouts on seed potatoes before planting. But the controlled production of sprouts is the key. The length & strength of the sprout must be controlled to give a short (1.5-2.5cm (0.5-1in) long), stubby, green chit.
The 3 factors involved in chitting are:
- temperature – 4 degrees Celsius is ideal, but the temperature should not go above 10 degrees, neither should it reach freezing.
- ventilation - plenty of fresh air
- light - plenty of light – but not bright sunlight – a north facing window is best
Early and late main crop potatoes could especially benefit from the chitting , but it must be done properly.
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leek-patch-February
We have an abundance of leeks in the vegetable garden, so this leek soup recipe is being much enjoyed!
Ingredients
- 2 leeks – washed & sliced (about 10oz)
- 2 potatoes – peeled & sliced (about 10oz)
- 3 rashers lean & chopped bacon (about 5oz)
- 1 pint stock
- 1/2 pint milk
- freshly ground pepper
cooking-leek-soup
Method:
- gently cook the bacon, leeks and potatoes until the leeks are soft, but not coloured
- add the stock and simmer until the potatoes are tender
- liquidise
- return to the pan and add the milk
- serve when hot
Click the links below to buy the recipe books which show you how to cook what you grow:
