Plot to plate
The advent of spring always marks a busy time for the vegetable gardener.
As the temperatures slowly rise, it becomes possible to plant a selection of seeds direct in their growing positions, meaning you are spared the effort of growing on, hardening off and transplanting seedlings. Direct-sown plants need regular weeding and care.
Carrots, cauliflowers, parsley, parsnips, spinach, spring onions, peas, calabrese, broad beans and brussels sprouts can all be sown straign into shallow tranches in the soil whenever conditions are suitable.
Check your seed packets for planting depths and sopwing times. The earliest parsnips are planted the better; as they need a long germination period as well as taking a few months to grow into decent sized roots.
If you have been growing young plants in the greenhouses start hardening them off by putting the plants outside during the day and remembering to bring them in at night.
Improve your plot
Growing plans from seek is not difficult - so why not start this weekend?
Make sure you have all you need to hand first - clean seed trays, pots, compost and a fine-nozzled watering can.
Fill the tray or pot with compost stopping about 2cm from the top. Firm down gently. Scatter seed evenly across the survace. Place large seeds in place.
Cover with a thin layer of compost and water in. Do not allow to dry out.
If you are planting peas, sweetcorn, courgettes or cucumbers - you may be wise to cover the containers with a layer of netting to prevent mice eating the seeds.
Peas can be planted in a piece of old drainpipe so they can be simply slid out into their final planting position.
This story appeared in March 2007 Move to the Country magazine.
