Page 42 - Simply Vegetables Spring 2024

Successful
Successional Vegetables
KELVIN MASON FNVS
With the current price of vegetables and possible supply problems in the future it is well worth growing as much as you can and try to be self-sufficient in fresh healthy produce. Both gardens and allotments are getting smaller (and allotment rents
finishes another is sown or planted. If possible clear the crop remains, lightly cultivate the area and sow, or plant the crop in one go so no time is lost.
Some crops lend themselves to successional cropping whereas others
getting more and more expensive) a trend that is likely to continue; therefore, we need
The aim is
to have a succession of crops over as long a period of time as possible
like tomatoes, cucumbers, runner beans, courgettes etc. naturally crop over a long period of time so these do not need a succession of sowing. Crops that
work well for successional sowing are lettuce, beetroot, carrots, chard, etc. these can all be sown over a long period of time to give a continuous succession of crops and make maximum use of the ground and any
to make maximum
use of any land that is
available. One method
of achieving this is using
successional sowing to
give a continuous supply
for crops. This requires
a bit of planning to get
your timings right but is
not an onerous task. The aim is to have a succession of crops over as long a period of time as possible, as one crop
organic matter of fertiliser you have applied. It helps if you plan your growing year to
give an idea of when crops need sowing
Chard Charlotte and Intense 2
and planting, the plan may not be perfect as you cannot predict the weather and soil or air temperatures which dictates when sowing can commence; but can be a good guide and help in improving future years. The top growers aim for a a minimum of two crops a year off their land and many achieve three with some crops.
If you have a greenhouse (even if unheated), polytunnel or cold frames the first crops can be given an early start by sowing in modules and then planted out when the outdoor temperatures are more conducive for plant growth especially the soil temperature. The first sowings can
be made in late February / early March depending on your location within the U.K. If you have a heated propagator sowing can start even earlier providing indoor space is available to grow the plants until they can be planted out. Outdoor sowings directly into the soil can start in mid to late March and then continue to until July.
Once the first crop is sown or planted and has either germinated or is growing well the second sowing can be made, allow a bit of time (7 to 10 days after the seedlings emerge) to avoid them coming together and giving a glut. If starting all crops in modules sow the next crop 7 to
10 days after emergence of the pervious sowing. Starting crops in modules is more work as the modules have to be made ready for sowing and looked after once
the crop is growing but it can make better use of the available ground. Plants growing in modules or pots can be held until the site is ready for planting and be halfway
to maturity which gives a fast throughput of crops. Plants grown in modules can
be grown to 50 to 100mm in size before planting and once planted establish quickly which shortens the growing period.
Baby leaf trials
Carrots
Spinacia oleracea ‘Violin’
42 Simply Vegetables