Page 21 - Isolation Guide: LEP Special E-mag Edition v2

Achildoottinqud(photo:RHS)
class plants within our
gardens.”theyadded. PlantingBolthardvbeetroot(photo:RHS)
www.lep.co.uk
LANCASHIRE POST
Get little ones planting their own seeds
seeds ofvegetables widely offered in supermarkets for example must meet the same legal standards as expensive ones and give a very acceptable crop
^'Cultivating
<|V Loving care:
Seeds need warmth, moisture, light and air most easily provided by sowi ng i n pots ofmultipurpose potting media, covering very lightly with sieved compost and watering ideally from below by standing pots in a shallow dish ofwater.
Q /Outdoors /|y Best plants:
Sowing outdoors is best for peas and beans as many plants are needed fora decent serving (runner beans are the exception). Carrots and parsnips must be sown (and covered with fleece or insect proof mesh to fend offcarrot fly) where they are to grow for usable roots.
^Sowing
<iVTechnical bit:
Rake moist, but not soggy, soil into a finely divided state, make shallow grooves (drills) with the corner ofyour rake deep enough for the seeds
to be covered when the soil
is gently raked back to fill
the drill. This is typically 10- 15mm. Water dry soil the day before sowing to allow water to drain.
vf/ Spacing VI>Createroom:
Leave a finger width between small seeds and two fingers between peas and a hands width between broad beans,
yt/ Thinout
<Iv Don't crowd plants:
Thin to final spacings (see packet) when seedlings big enough to handle perhaps transplanting some to fill in gaps. Crowded plants crop poorly.
yVHarvest
/IV Onyourway: Congratulationsvouare
on your way to your first harvest. Water heavily every 14 days if drought strikes. And keep weeds down. Pests and diseases should not cause too much damage.
RHS Campaign for School Gardening has also posted ideas for families to try
at home - visit https:// schooIgardening.rhs.org. uk/News/News-results/ National/‘2020/March/ Bringing-the-sunshine- insidesite.
The RHS closed all its gardens last mon th in a
bid to stop the spread of coronavirus.
RHS Garden Wisley, RHS Garden Hyde Hall, RHS Garden Rosemoorand RHS Harlow Carr, including shops and cafes, closed with immediate effect until further notice.
The society is still running its online plant shop rhsplants. co.uk and continues to offer a wide selection ofedible and ornamental plants.
RHS advisors are working from home, continuing to answer all RI IS member gardening questions.
The Garden magazine
will also continue to be published.
A spokesman for the organisation said: “As so many ofus will be spending more time at home gardening, we hope these valuable services will be of benefit to our members. “We will also be sharing pictures and films ofour gardens online and on social media so that everyone can stay connected and enjoy the beauty of nature and our gardens from afar.
“A reduced level ofstafffrom our horticulture teams will continue to look after our livingcollectionsofworld
A mix of patio pots and planters containing red cabbage, courgettes, tomatoes, runner beans and sweetcorn
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