Page 49 - Simply Veg 3.21

August
Most of what I said last month still applies, such as seeds I said you could still sow
in succession, particularly brassicas and salad crops for winter use. I suggested varieties of cabbage, cauliflowers and broccoli last month. Varieties of lettuce
for winter use are Vailan winter gem (D,
S, B, F,), and Marvel of four seasons (Sh, B). They can be grown in the greenhouse border or polytunnel or outdoors protected with cloches. They can be sown direct
or in cell trays as I have said before. Varieties of radish for winter use are Black Spanish (S, R, Sh, B), and April Cross
(Sh, B). Corn salad are mostly for winter use and the varieties are Large leaves (D, S,), and Vit (Sh, B). Spinach can also be sown for winter use and the most widely available variety is Amazon (D, S, M, Sh).
H.T.rose Selfridges
Dahlia bed on allotment
I mentioned endive last month and this can still be sown. I prefer to sow this in cell trays. The most common varieties are Natasha (D, S) and Pancalieri (R, Sh).
You may have seedlings from earlier sowings that need thinning and also some ready for planting such as cabbages, cauliflowers and lettuce.
It is now time to plant onion sets for overwintering. They should be readily available in shops and garden centres or you can order them from seed companies. The most widely available varieties are Senshyu yellow (D, S, M, B, F), Electric (D, S, B, F), and Shakespeare (M, B, F).
Please see the end of the July notes for the key to suppliers.
Strawberries can be planted now if you didn’t do so last month. Also, in the fruit garden cordon apples and pears, summer fruiting raspberries and blackberries can be pruned as I described last month.
All plants, both flowers and vegetables that need staking should have been done by now, but we must keep checking if any need re- tying because they should be growing quickly now. I mentioned last month about not letting plants go short of water and this must be continuing this month as well because we could still get spells of hot weather. If you
are keeping up with the watering your water butts will soon empty so when they are
Spray chrysanths Aurora Queen
empty it is a good idea to give them a clean out before they fill again.
Annual flowers don’t need extra feeding provided that you raked fertiliser into the ground before planting but many vegetables and flowers such as dahlias, Chrysanths and gladioli will benefit from it. At this time of the year, liquid feeds are best because they are quicker acting. They are mixed with water in the watering can so refer to the instructions for the dilution rates. Apart from the dilution rates the instructions should give the relative proportions of the major plant foods. Nitrogen (N)is for leaf and stem growth, Phosphate (P) for root growth and
Simply Vegetables 49