Page 33 - Simply Vegetables Spring 2023

Radishes
Sow on February 7th, 14 days before sowing spread some compost to a depth
of 50mm. sow in rows the first one being 12cm from the path edge and the remaining rows 12cm apart and 12mm deep; drop seeds every 1cm apart then rake the soil / compost over to cover the seeds. The first sowing is covered with straw to insulate
it from any frosts (fleece could be used these days) remove the straw when the first radish leaves show.
Spring Beetroot
The first sowing is on the 21st March for early beetroot, 10 days before sowing spread 50mm of compost and rake level. Sow in rows 15cm apart and 20mm deep, drop 3 or 4 seeds every 15cm rake soil over the seeds. When the seedlings are 25 to 30mm high thin to 2 in each group and remove any weeds. A second thinning can be done but these days these are usually allowed to grow into small beetroot to harvest.
Salad Onions
Sown on the 20th of February using Valencia or Paris Silver Skin, apply compost 14days before sowing and rake level. Sow in rows 12cm apart and 1cm deep and evenly with seeds approx. 1cm apart to save thinning. When any weeds are 50mm high weed and water if the soil is dry.
General Points
Always remove all weeds and crop debris before sowing or planting the next crop as these can harbour pests and diseases, then apply compost. The above crops can be grown in open beds if warm enough or under Dutch lights, the sowing dates and harvesting dates will vary depending on which part of the country you live.
Winter Lettuce
Use a winter cultivar like Winter Density and sow in the last week of September applying compost first and raking to level the surface. Either sow in rows 12cm apart or into plugs or seed trays and prick out into modules. If sowing into cold frames place the lights on to maintain the temperature.
Plant out when the plants are 50mm high and space out 15*15cm or 20*20cm depending on the cultivar, closer for the smaller cultivars like Winter Density. Do not plant too deep so have a fraction of the stem showing above soil level. Water in well and recover with the lights, little watering should be required until mid- February. Weed once if required.
Winter Cauliflowers
Sow in the first two weeks of October and use a cultivar that will overwinter like Maybach. Spread compost and seaweed if you can get it, rake the surface and sow
in rows or broadcast if many plants are wanted. The rows are 10cm apart and 12mm deep firm in the seed with the back of a rake. Ventilate well after 5 to 7 days
to keep the plants hardy also water if the soil is dry. When the plants are 10 to 15cm high water the day before transplanting then ease them out using a hand fork under the roots. Plant out 10*10cm apart and firm in well and grow in the frames over winter as hard as possible but if frosts are forecast do not ventilate and cover the frames with matting overnight. The plants are transplanted to their final position when 15 to 20cm high. If you have a greenhouse these days it is easier to sow them in seed trays and prick out into pots / modules and grow them in a cold green house and plant out when the same height.
Early Salad Onions
Sow in mid-January using Valencia or Paris Silver Skin in rows 10cm apart and 1cm deep, the seeds can be sown fairly thickly but not touching. Water and then cover with the lights, ventilate on warm days but close the lights by mid-afternoon to retain some of the heat. They should be ready to harvest in May.
Early Beetroot
Sow in the first week of March, apply 25mm of compost and rake level 10 days before sowing, cover with the lights to warm the soil. Sow 20mm deep three seeds every 10 to 15cm rake to cover the seeds. Water in and replace the lights, further watering may be required to ensure the seed does not dry out. Thin out and weed when the seedlings are 30mm high leave 1 or 2 seedlings every 10cm. when the beetroot are nearly ready approx. 35 to 40mm dia remove the lights and then start to harvest when ready.
One method used to increase the productivity was to intercrop the beetroot with lettuce; the beetroot is sown in
rows 25cm apart and seeds spaced at
75 to 100mm apart. The lettuce are sown between the beetroot rows when they are thinned. Sow the lettuce thinly and 1cm deep. Harvest the beetroot when ready over a short period and then weed the area and water if dry.
Over Wintering Carrots
Two sowings are made, one on October 1st and the second on January 20th and they usually follow a salad crop in rotation. Use a Nantes type or Amsterdam Forcing, again spread compost 14 days before sowing. Sow using the thinly broadcast method, rake the seed into the soil and firm with the back of the rake or a pressor board. Cover with the lights and when the carrots are 25mm high ventilate on warm days. Water as required to ensure the soil does not become dry, water in the mornings and on warm days so the foliage dry’s out before evening to avoid disease problems. If sown thinly thinning should not be required,
but if required do when the seedlings are 50mm high and weed at the same time. The carrots should be 25 to 40mm apart, a second thinning will be given when the first small carrots are pulled for use.
For the January sowing cover the area with the lights in early December to warm the soil and spread compost as for the October sowing. Ventilate when 25mm tall and maintain as for the October sowing.
Intercropping
The carrots can be intercropped with lettuce and cauliflowers, lettuce at 24 per frame and cauliflower at 5 per frame. The early carrots are sown first and
then the lettuce planted followed by the cauliflowers. The lights are removed when the lettuce are harvested to allow space for the cauliflowers to grow upwards. Other crops that can be used are parsley, radish, spinach etc.
Broad bean ‘Aquadulce Claudia’
Radish ‘Cherry Belle’
Simply Vegetables 33