As I was visiting schools this week, I noticed how many things had germinated over the last 2 weeks. As the soil warms up the seeds will germinate rapidly, but be warned … so will the weeds!
Keeping on top of the weeding makes life so much easier later on in the season. A few minutes now, simply hoeing off the weed seedlings, can turn into hours, if left, in just a few weeks time. That’s why I recommend sowing your seeds in rows, so hoeing and weeding is easier. Just take care not to hoe off or disturb those newly germinated vegetable seedlings.
We’ve already harvested our first crop of Radishes on thursday which were thinnings from the main crop, and I’ll be sowing more at 2 week intervals, to ensure we don’t get a huge glut all at once. The Spring onions are also doing well, and will be ready to be thinned out in a couple of weeks time (this should be done so there is approx 4-5cm between plants).
The beetroot we sowed 2 weeks ago has germinated and we also harvested some which we sowed at Christmas in the polytunnle. These make fab pickled baby beets. We didn’t get loads, but we pickle them as we go, and by the summer fayre we’ll have a good stock.
Our Mange tout are also doing well, and are about 5cm tall. Now there through, we need to think about how we can support them. Some people use ‘twiggy pea sticks’ which look really quite cute and rustic (and they are free). Twiggy pea sticks are basically pruning’s from shrubs and trees made in winter and left to harden, then simply stuffed into the ground by the side of the Mange tout/Peas. The peas can then climb up them and they will be much happier than if left to sprawl about on the floor. If you dont have any available, you could use hedge trimmings from woody shrubby hedges.
If anyone is thinking about Pumpkins for Autumn (you’re not are you … you’re thinking summer holidays!) then now is a great time to plant. Simply take a 9cm round pot (or do what the children at St Bernard’s did and make your own from shredded paper, thoroughly soaked in water and placed in between 2 plant pots to form a mould. Leave to dry for a week or so) and sow 1 seed per pot, keeping it somewhere frost free (a windowsill is ideal). Don’t let it get too dry, and after 2 weeks it should be OK to be hardened off (see ’Key Words’ section in your guide). Plant out in their final position in June. Water well and mulch.
And finally, if you didn’t feed your soil before you started, its not too late. Use pelletted Chicken manure or other Organic chemical free fertilizers … and always follow the manufacturers instructions.
If you want even more tips and advice, log on to my weekly blog on their website at www.spear-and-jackson.com and see my demo dvd’s for practical help.
Have a great gardening week
Lee
