Vegetable Gardening

Autumn

While the soil is still warm in March and April plant winter vegetables. Broccoli, Cauliflower and cabbage if planted before the end of March will be ready for harvesting in June, taking just 14-16 weeks to mature, compared to around 20 weeks for later planted seedlings. Seed can be sown direct into the ground early for dividing in winter. Watch for the caterpillars of the Cabbage White Butterfly that can, until the first frosts, destroy the early planted seedlings.

Plant Broad Beans, Onions and Shallots before the end of April. Spring Onions as seedlings can be planted throughout the Winter period. A dressing of Neutrog’s ‘Giganic’ after planting and again after 8 weeks will enhance both size and quality of Winter vegetables.

Garden beds for the winter vegetables should be well prepared with the addition of plenty of organic matter, such as well rotted compost or mushroom compost and then spreading dolomite lime across the whole bed, after the compost has been covered up.