Caring for vegetables.

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re Shirley Tulip et al. I am pleased because my GC sold
Autumn Planting Garlic Bulbs last Oct. The cloves took well when we finally got some rain, are 6" high now.
They take a long time to mature, Spring planting is really too late, especially if we get a dry summer. T&M page 155 wont accept orders after Nov.28th, so they must be the right ones. Best remember for next year.
Using Supermarket Garlic Cloves is never successful. They come from India. Must be a variety and soil that is not suitable for our Northamptonshire limestone soil and climate, although they might grow on other types of soil.

Brussel Sprout seeds are available to mature at intervals, best to read the packet/catalogue before purchasing.

I like Early Half Tall, and Dakmar which are taller and mature later. This year Early Half Tall have been very poor. I think its because of the drought. Am going to set up a special bed for them in April, with loads of compost dug in to provide nutrients and moisture, and mark that section with labelled pegs. Just to see what happens next winter. Our allotment rents have been doubled because of the amount of water tenants have fetched from the public water supply troughs. I now have 4 wheelie bins and 3 water butts full of rainwater on my plot, ready for summer 2012.

Dont tip the whole packet of Brussel Sprout seeds into the drill. Sow exactly the amount of seed in a damp row to provide approximately the number of plants you need, and label the rows.
The rest of the seed will keep for 4 years.

If you are bothered with Pigeons; or Partridges which nest on the ground but can fly over a 3’ high fence, they can clear a plot overnight; its best to cover the rows, and the mature plants, with fruit netting over supports. Its very hard to find replacement plants in May.

• 3 Jan, 2012
• 1 like

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