OwnGrown

The leeks started germinating two to three weeks after sowing and were gradually thinned to 5 cms (2″) apart. Dug up when pencil thick towards the end of June. Choose the thickest (if you have enough to do so) and cut about a quarter of the length off the top and half the length off the roots. With a dibber, make holes 4-6″ deep, 6″ apart in rows 12″ wide and simply drop one trimmed leek into each hole. Then, using a watering can or hose, water immediately so that the soil is washed into the holes completely filling them.

Started cutting mid June - about 8 weeks after sowing. Cut a few young leaves from each plant which will also help with new growth.

Start using Little Gem in mid June and Webbs Wonderful in late June - 10 - 12 weeks after sowing

Tranplanted Savoy Cabbage end June when the seedlings were about 6″ high. First watered the seedlings, then dug holes in the growing site and then dug up the thinned seedlings keeping the soil around the roots for transplanting into the prepared holes. Filled in the holes and watered thoroughly. Keep well watered until the plants are established - they will wilt in the sun for the first few days.

Pick from June onwards - regular picking encorouges growth. Can be picked in winter but you can also put a plant in a pot on a windowsill for winter use.

Not sure about this but moved Lemon Grass outside early June although probably more productive to leave them inside. June weather was reasonably warm and the plants have developed the new shoots. Wait a while before starting to cut. Water daily in dry weather.

Started picking Courgettes late June. The first few are always small but they will get bigger as the plants grow. However it is best to always pick when not too big.

Sowed Broccoli F1 Red Arrow end June 1 cm (0.5″) deep in a 1.2m (4′) row.

Sowed Calabrese Chevalier F1 end June thinly 5 cms (2″) deep in a 1.2m (4′) row

Many different herbs are grown in pots indoors and outdoors and small areas of the garden. Here we have mint, French tarragon, chives, lemon grass, lemon balm, parsley, basil and a few chilli plants - all in a small area. Details on these and other herbs are in this Herbs section. Some plants were bought and replanted instead of starting from seed. In the case of some herbs (basil, parsley and others) many growers now pack as many plants as possible into a single pot - just like you buy in the supermarket. The flavour is much better, and plant stronger, if you stick to single plants suitably spaced. See also ”Pots” under the “General” category