Resident expert JOA GROWER has tips on seasonal planting and recommends it may be a good time to use a dibber.
AUGUST already, not long now until summer will slowly become autumn. So, its time to think not just about harvesting, but maybe a bit of planting too. It’s not too late to plant out winter brassicas (cabbage family). Don’t forget to firm them in well as, when they get bigger, they don’t like to rock about much in the windy autumnal weather. Also remember some of the bigger varieties may need more distance between them. Those Purple sprouting broccoli plants can get pretty big by February! Leeks can also go in now. For any of you folks out there new to veg gardening, here is a handy planting tip. Using a dibber or rake or broom handle, make a 10-15cm deep hole in your soil and place the leek plant down into hole (I remove a portion of the leek’s roots leaving only approx. 2cm. This make planting easier and I think also gives them a little boost). Then gently fill each hole with water but not soil. They are a very easy crop to grow, they don’t seem to get many pests or diseases. Our potatoes here at Growers Organics have done rather well this year and, towards the end of September, Nao who works on the vegetable beds will be starting to lift the main crop. She has been digging our early varieties for the last month or so and they were fab! Choose a nice sunny day and leave them on top of the warm soil so there skins dry before storing them in paper or Hessian sacks in a cool dry place to use throughout the autumn and winter. Onions will also be ready to harvest now, that’s if they haven’t already gone to seed. It’s been a very common complaint this year with lots of different vegetables, due to the very changable weather we experienced earlier in the year. Those onions that have will not store and should be used straight away. But the good onions can be left on top of the soil for a few days to dry out before storing in nets or being plaited. Last but not least, you’ve still got time to get a few quick crops in. Lettuces can grow very well when the temperature drops a bit. Perhaps with a late planting of peas, and a sowing of spinach.
Time to start planning ahead
NOW I know next spring seems such a long way off but its never too soon to start planning. The arrival of Autumn is a good time to start. Take a look around the garden and ask yourself did you get it right this year? What would you do differently? Should you have grown more of one crop and less of a another, is the compost bin in the wrong place. All these things can go right out of your head by the time March 2018 gets here. I like to number my beds or do a very basic garden plan and plan things down to the finest detail. This can help so much when working out a good crop rotation. This means grouping certain plants together for instance all brassicas (broccoli, kales, brussels and cabbages), all the roots (potatoes, carrots and parsnips), the peas and beans, and last of all the onion family which includes leeks and garlic. Not only does this mean that you can prepare the bed or area specifically for that group of plants but that also you shouldn’t get any build up of soil living pests and diseases. Bear in mind that the better the plan, the better the veggie patch. Enjoy! Just a reminder that Growers Organics will be closing mid September for the winter season and reopen early February 2018.