2025 is turning out to be a rather difficult year in the garden. We have had the driest spring on record which will probably lead to a slow germination of crops planted outside and having to spend an April evening watering is somewhat irksome!
Get greenhouse tomatoes planted as soon as possible. Dig a deep hole and fill with water. When this has drained away place the plant in the hole so that the lowest true leaves are just above ground level. Firm down and water again at the base. The point of all this is firstly to ensure that the roots will track downwards and hence be less susceptible to drying out. Also the stem of the tomato plant is capable of producing roots hence helping to secure the plant and add to vigour. Secondly you want the first truss to be as lowdown as possible as it is possible to get six trusses if height allows.
One of the problems with greenhouse tomatoes is getting the first truss to set. Traditionally gardeners have used a fine spray at night or a gentle agitating of the truss and fingering the flowers to aid setting. All this is now so old fashioned. The modern gardener uses an electric toothbrush to agitate the truss thus mimicking the action of pollinating insects!
Remember to always water in the evening to help reduce humidity and always water at the base to avoid wetting the leaves. Start using a liquid feed when the first truss has set. I tend to use one based on seaweed since tomatoes originate from costal Chile and Peru and seaweed helps with flavour.
Make sure you have good ventilation on hot days as overheating can inhibit setting. Support either with bamboo canes or a strong twine. Remove side shoots and remove the growing tip when six trusses have set.
Also in the greenhouse have your chillies, sweet peppers and aubergine in pots. Sweet peppers and chillies are largely self fertile but aubergine flowers need help either with the finger or electric toothbrush!
Modern greenhouse cucumbers are mostly all female varieties though controlling and directing growth can be a challenge.
Outside rhubarb will now be in full production. To harvest tease out the stalk with a gentle twist at the base. If the dry weather continues this may cause the crown to bolt producing a flower spike. Remove this immediately and give the crown a good soaking and a liquid feed.
Meanwhile continue to earth up early potatoes partly for frost protection but also to ensure that none of the crop is exposed.
Prepare the bed and supports for the runner bean crop to be planted out in early June. Make sure the ground contains plenty of well rotted manure to help retain moisture for the growing plant.
Although it can be unsightly let the foliage of daffodils and tulips die down naturally to ensure that next year’s bulb has maximum nutrients.
Our next event is the plant sale on the 17th May in the village hall car park from 10am to midday.
Good Gardening
Peter Estcourt