24th May 2012

It’s all very exciting, everything has started growing like mad – including the weeds! So really you could be spending a lot of time outside enjoying the garden, weeding the flower beds and planting out all sorts of exciting things. You shouldn’t need to water your vegetable patch unless we have a heat wave. Do not overwater. Jobs 1. Empty greenhouse, start to take most things out of the greenhouse as it will get too hot in there. Plants like tomatoes, basil, cucumbers, peppers, chilli’s and aubergines can all stay in there as they love the heat. Don’t forget to water well. 2. Plant out all kinds of beans, sweet peas, peas, courgettes, tomatoes, lettuces.... Make sure that you harden off the plants before actually planting them. When planted water well straight away. Some plants will benefit from still keeping the tunnels on such as tomatoes and strawberries.

3. Pinch out extra stems from tomatoes, pinch out broad bean tips. 4. Weed any beds that are getting out of control, try to keep on top of the weed situation. Don’t let your vegetables have to compete for energy from the ground. 5. Sow another batch of salads. If you are doing 2nd batches of beans or peas sow these too. Sow carrots.... 6. Harvest asparagus, rhubarb, strawberries, and salads. 7. Get ready with some form of birdscare/netting for the soft fruit.

16th May 2012

We have had such appalling weather over the past few weeks that many of us has abandoned the garden. But we are mid May and there are warm days on which to go out and garden in the sun, it is so good to get out and you will appreciate your efforts later in the summer. Jobs to do: 1.Plant out small plants such as runner beans, peas, lettuce, courgettes, squash’s, tomatoes...Don’t forget to harden off the plants first by leaving them in their pots in the place where they will be planted – cover with a cloche/tunnel if there is risk of frost.

Plant out companion plants such as marigolds and nasturtiums these deter insects. 2. Sow seeds directly in the ground such as carrots, beetroot, spinach.... Again if you have poly tunnel’s cover your seeds with them as they will a encourage faster and a more reliable growth. 3. Sow seeds in pots, more salady things like lettuce, rocket.... Sow sweet corn, 4. Weed gently where necessary, cut the lawn and keep the edges of the beds clear of weeds. Having a messy patch encourages slugs! 5. Weed around your strawberries as very soon you will be able to harvest the first of your crops, around the bases of the plants spread some straw to stop the fruit from getting mouldy/wet/soggy. 6. Lastly harvest – If your asparagus is older than two years, it can now be picked, rhubarb,

spinach and salads. If you are lucky you may have some strawberries too, but where I am I think it is still a little cold. Things are very slow to grow this year so far so don’t feel that you are doing anything wrong – It’s the weather!!!