Welcome to New Time

Each week we bring you new articles and opinions from people working in the orgo-eco-ethical sector

 

Home . Contact Us . Living Ethically

---

Preparing for Spring

February has been a lean month with no work being carried out. The ground has been too wet and at times too frosty to do any work. This has given me time to take a holiday and enjoy a break.

However we are turning the corner now and as this is the first full year for the allotment there is still quite a bit of preparation needed. We are going to keep things very simple growing only those vegetables that we want to and need.

There is a tendecy to rush things now but I was told years ago that seeds and plants play "catch up" and early planting is not always successful with producing early crops. The soil has to be right in every respect, particularly having the right temperature for succesful germination; so don't panic!!

We are fortunate to have a greenhouse at home so I can carry out some early planting. Broad beans have been planted in individual pots and will be transplanted when well grown and hardened off. This will hopefully prevent or at least lessen the chance of attack by mice and voles on the seed if it is planted direct into the ground.

Tomato seed has also been sown but this may take a while to germinate as it needs about 18 degrees C and there is no heating in the greenhouse.

Weather permitting, in the next couple of weeks parsnips, carrots and radish can be sown with onion seed and summer cabbage going in under glass. However it is important to remember your location. The further North you are the longer it will be before you can start planting. Hopefully shallots and onion sets can be planted directly into the ground in the next couple of weeks.

Potatoes which were purchased a month ago are just beginning to sprout. I think this is one vegetable not to get too anxious about planting early, particularly on the ground I have as it is very wet. Perhaps the first earlies can go in towards the end of the month with second earlies around easter time or sooner if it has warmed up enough.

I have not listed varieties of potatoes or other vegetables as it has to be one's own preference to some extent and also what will grow well in your own particular soil. Most seed companies are now pretty good at giving advice on their packets.

Well, here we go into the first year, with the excitement of growing your own.

Bryan

Posted 20th March 2006