OwnGrown

Started cutting asparagus end April although quantity very small. Asparagus beds can be established using asparagus crowns planted in early spring, plants in early summer or you can sow seeds in the spring. Plant about 45 cms (18″) apart. The bed should be well dug before planting. The plants should not be cut in the first year and only lightly in the second with full cutting from year three. Asparagus appear in late April and can be cut through to end June. Cut with a sharp knife about 2 cms (1″) below ground. After end June, leave to grow and weed when necessary. Cut back to ground level when all the foliage has turned brown in late Autumn and spread a thick layer of manure / compost or suitable fertiliser over the whole bed in early March.

Transplant lettuce sown three weeks ago to final growing site. Webbs Wonderful spaced 12″ apart in rows 12″ wide and Little Gem 6″ apart in rows 12″ wide. Lettuce grow fairly quickly and can also be planted in between other slower growing crops to make the best use of available space.

Planted one plant in a pot in a sunny position using garden soil late April. Will grow to 24″ height, 18″ spread. Keep trimmed to encourage new growth. Dies back in the winter. Lemon Balm has a strong lemon scent and will attract bees and butterflies. Keep well watered if in pots but can also be grown straight in the soil.

Sowed green Courgette F1 Defender and yellow F1 Jenner in late April - two seeds per pot indoors. Germination after about one week and plant outside 60 cms (2′) apart end May or early June. Pictured here is the green Courgette F1 Defender and the yellow ones are pictured elsewhere with the Broad Beans. Cropping starts late June. They are prolific so few are needed and should be picked when the courgettes are reasonably small.

Planted one plant in a pot in a sunny position using garden soil late April. Will grow to 24″ height, 16″ spread. Keep trimmed to encourage new growth. Dies back in the winter. Keep well watered if in pots but can also be grown straight in the soil.

Roots start forming about two weeks after being put in the jar and were sufficiently developed to plant in pots four weeks later. They need good drainage and warmth.

Peas Onward were sown early April and Mange Tout about three weeks later. Sown 5 cms (2″)apart in drills 5 cms (2″) deep, 10 cms (4″) wide with 60 cms (2′) between rows. They need some form of netting support 1.2m (4′) high. Cropping July onwards. Picture shows seeds sown in compost filled flat-bottomed drills which will now be filled to leave the seeds at the required depth.

Sow Leeks Musselburgh in Mid April in a shallow seed bed.

Sow Brussel Sprouts Wellington F1 thinly in a shallow seed bed in mid April. Protect the bed from birds.

Sow Kale in a seed bed outside in mid April. The seedlings will be thinned gradually to 10 cms (4″) apart. This is a very useful winter vegetable.