May is the time for established green growth and time to sow seeds for Summer and Autumn.

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Veg Garden Update

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Raised Bed 1 – Shallots, Garlic, Cabbages & Cauliflower.

Veg Highlight – Shallots

The Shallots were started in cell trays last November and look at them now! This is how a Shallot makes extra bulbs on the side, it’s one shoot has now grown into lots of shoots which each produce a bulb at the end of them, to make lots of little milder onions.

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Raised Bed 2 – Onions from Seed, Carrots, Beetroot, Lettuce & Spinach

Here we have Lettuce and Spinach which were sown at the beginning of March, planted out mid April and now in Mid May harvesting it. Beetroot failed to germinate sown directly into the soil. I have sown again in the same place, adding extra compost this time.

Veg Highlight – Lime Lettuce

Black Seeded Simpson Lettuce is a great flavoured lettuce and it comes with the added value that you can pull leaves off as you need them. The plant continues growing and gives you more leaves as time passes.

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Raised Bed 3 – New Pea Wall – Tall Peas, Lettuce, Rocket, Coriander.

This year we have built a Brand New Pea Wall with jute netting. Hopefully this space saving design will enable tall peas and beans to grow to a height of 2 meters high. As there may be some partial shade underneath lettuce and leaves like rocket will welcome some shade.

Veg Highlight – Tall Peas

I’ve not been able to grow tall peas so far as I haven’t got a tall enough structure – now I have! These Peas are called Telephone and can get to 2 meters high. Sow at the base of your pea wall in May. They germinate within 1 week. This is so quick, hopefully they will be clambering up the pea wall in no time. Watch this space for tall peas!

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Greenhouse Sowings & Plantings

All the warm loving plants are here in the greenhouse, sweet peppers, tomatoes, aubergine on the right and the black tomatoes are way behind, as they are slow growers at the bottom of the photo. Everything is quite small at the moment, but give it 2 months and they will be monster plants, taking over the greenhouse.

Veg Highlight –

Mini Cucumbers

Two years ago we stumbled upon Mini Cucumbers, we grew them not knowing what to expect or whether we’d actually get any! Well it’s safe to say with 3 plants you get about 2-3 mini cucumbers a day for months! So make sure you like cucumbers before you sow them!

They are very productive plants, they may not look like it now but you just wait and see.

Mini cucumbers plants are in bottomless pots, sitting on top of. Growbag and Growbag Waterer from Hozelock. This uses wicking material to move the water tomato or cucumber roots.

These Growbag waterers have been successful year after year – see my tomato watering setup here.

Start Sowing Seeds Today…

For a Quick 4 Week Harvest

For a quick harvest in May, sow Radish seeds direct in the ground and in 4 weeks time you’ll be able to harvest Radishes.

Radishes are where every beginner starts and they are great for kids too.

Choose a mild radish like French Breakfast (long types) or a bright red one with a kick like Rosy Red.

Radish – Sow to Harvest In 4 Weeks.

For a 8-12 Week Harvest

• Sow Lettuce – try red and green varieties in a pattern for interest and taste in salads. Sow in modules or direct in the soil.
• Lettuce Top Tip – Lettuce won’t germinate in hot temperatures.
• Sow Courgettes – one seed per pot, they are germinating in 1 week in the greenhouse. Pot on to a larger pot after 3-4 weeks and then after another 2-3 weeks, they will be ready to plant outside.
• Courgettes – Top Tip – Don’t grow too many seeds, remember you’ll get 4-6 courgettes from each plant.

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We are looking for passionate vegetable growers to join our club.

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