Page 35 - Simply Vegetables Autumn 2021

Chard ‘Pink Passion’
Kale Nero di Toscana 2
radish, and pea shoots and these will all be ready for early spring salads. If the weather is really cold cover the plants with fleece to give them that bit more protection although this is not essential. Greenhouses can be lined with bubble wrap to give a higher day time temperature.
A crop I have not tried but may
try this winter is Calabrese, if sown in early October indoors either into modules or seed trays and then pricked out into modules to grow on. When large enough plant out into a cold greenhouse, polytunnel or tall cold frames in early winter; keep moist but not wet and they will be ready to harvest in the spring. This should be well worth a try if you have a greenhouse or cold frames you are not using.
If you have sufficient crops and do not wish to grow overwintering crops
sow some green manures to protect the soil and produce some organic matter to dig in during early spring or cut and compost. Up to late October (especially in the southern UK) you
can sow grazing rye, Italian ryegrass, Westerwolds ryegrass, vetch and field beans. They will make some growth before the New Year but plenty of growth in the late winter / early spring. Field beans can be sown through to mid-November and will give a good crop in the spring for incorporation or composting and will protect the soil structure and reduce nutrient leaching. Unless you are digging early for the soil to weather don’t leave it bare over winter sow a cover crop as they seem to call it these days.
For those of you who were thinking of sitting with you legs up in December the following can be sown ready for next year onions, broad beans, carrots,
New Zealand Spinach
celeriac, celery, chives, lettuce, parsley, salad onions, summer cabbage and cauliflowers. These will need starting off in a propagator or heated greenhouse and the onions may need lighting if large specimens are wanted.
I could not finish this article without reminding members that November
is the start of the bareroot tree, shrub and bush fruit planting season. If
you want some more tree fruit or soft fruit order the plants quickly or visit
a local nursery or garden centre. As I have said before in this magazine, we desperately need more trees planted so the more members that plant some the better. Apparently, the government is behind with its tree planting target – well there’s a surprise!!
Simply Vegetables 35