Page 35 - ALG Issue 1 2017

General
Now the clocks have been put forward it should
be possible to get on with most jobs in the garden by now. But don’t be in too much of a hurry; listen to the weather forecast for frost warnings. Inspect plants for the rst wave of aphids and remove them
with a jet of plain water from a pressure sprayer until the ladybirds become active. Draw soil up around the base of peas and broad beans to support them and increase the rooting area. Begin to earth up early potatoes when they have made 20cm (8”) growth.
Sow
Outdoors – Broccoli, winter and Savoy cabbage, kale, kohlrabi, spring onions and salsify. Successional sowings of beetroot, carrots, Swiss chard, lettuce, maincrop peas ( rst and last weeks), radish and summer spinach (round
seeded).
Last opportunity to sow broad beans and early peas. Make a sowing of climbing or dwarf French beans to transplant next month; they are hardier than runner beans and are worth taking a chance on.
Herbs – Sow chives, dill, fennel, parsley and sorrel.
Greenhouse – Transplant tomatoes.
Sow tomatoes for outdoor use.
Sow outdoor cucumber, courgettes, pumpkins, marrow and squashes.
Ventilate on sunny days and close up in the late afternoon to conserve heat. May have to shade young plants from direct sunlight.
Plant
Transplant the sweet peas sown in February.
Plant up new asparagus and globe artichoke beds. Complete planting of second early and maincrop potatoes by the end of the month.
Fruit
Net strawberries against bird and squirrel attack.
Harvest
Rhubarb by pulling a few stalks at a time. The leaves can safely be put on the compost heap. First cutting of asparagus after the 23rd of the month; St George’s Day. Last cutting is made on the longest day which is June 22nd.
General
Keep a look out for late frosts as they can pose a threat right up until the end of the month. Have
plenty of eece protection ready
to cover tender plants, seedlings
and recent transplants. Begin early
spraying programme to protect
against aphids and fungus diseases.
Start the early training of sweet peas against their supports. Continue with the earthing up of potatoes. Protect emerging carrot seedlings against carrot root y with enviromesh.
Sow
Outside – Dwarf and climbing French beans (make one sowing in the rst week and one in the last week), runner beans in more sheltered parts of the UK, chicory – all types, endive, summer spinach and turnips.
Make successional sowings of beetroot, carrots, Swiss chard, kohl rabi, lettuce, radish and spring onions to maintain a regular supply
Pot on outdoor tomatoes into 10cms (4”) pots to grow on for transplanting out next month.
Plant
Brussel sprouts, sprouting broccoli, summer and winter cabbage, cauli owers, celeriac, celery (towards the warmer end of the month) and leeks.
Fruit
over the coming months.
Last sowings of maincrop peas by the end of the month. Greenhouse – Courgettes, squashes, marrows, pumpkins, runner beans and sweetcorn to transplant outdoors during June.
Transplant tomatoes to grow into nal positions in the unheated greenhouse.
Inspect top and soft fruit for pests and diseases. Spray aphids with an insecticidal soap and use an approved fungicide for use on edible crops to prevent mildew attacks.
Net strawberries against birds and squirrels.
Water newly planted fruit trees and bushes.
Harvest
Broad beans, sprouting broccoli, kale, spring cabbage,
young salads, early sown carrot thinnings and Japanese onions. In some parts strawberries grown under protection.
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