Firstly I must apologise for the last two paragraphs of last month’s article where I raised the fear of a summer drought and further hosepipe ban. As soon as I had submitted the article for publication the heavens opened and it hasn’t stopped raining though to be fair at that time the hosepipe ban was still in force! I’m glad to report that that has been lifted, the reservoirs are full and the ground is flooded and saturated!
Waterlogged ground greatly restricts what can be done in the garden. Treading on saturated ground leads to compaction especially on our clayey soils.
However the final pruning of apples, pears, quinces and roses can be completed.
It is worth noting that after the 14th of February there is more than 10 hours of daylight and this is what is required to stimulate plant growth.
However many crops can be started undercover in the dry and planted out later when conditions permit. Onions can be started this way. I think growing onions from seed is for the enthusiast and for the amateur gardener the method of choice is from sets.
I grow three types. Firstly Sturon which produces round moist bulbs of mild favour which store well. Then there is Stuttgarter Giant which produces rather flat bulbs of firm texture and good flavour which stores very well. Finally for red onions use Red Baron.
Plant in modules so that the top of the set is level with the soil surface. Use a dibber or finger to make a hole for the set as pushing the set into firm soil may damage the growing plate. Keep moist and plant out when roots appear at the bottom of the module. Onions like firm soil , well drained with an added general fertiliser. Keep weed free and water if it ever stops raining!
Also peas and broad beans can be stared off in modules with the added advantage that they are less likely to be eaten by rodents and slugs. For peas use Douce Provence. For mange tout Sweet Horizon and Masterpiece Green Longpod for broad beans.
For beetroot fans they can also be started off in modules. Choose a variety that produces one plant per seed such as Monorubra. Place four seeds in a module and when germinated can be planted out as one unit.
Hopefully by the end of the month the ground will have dried out sufficiently to allow the planting off first early potatoes.
To grow parsnips use a dibber to make a hole and fill it with fine seed compost, water and place 4 to 5 seeds on top and cover with vermiculite. Beware slugs.
Hyacinths grown indoor in plots will be coming to an end. Remove the dying flower spike and put outside. Keep moist and occasionally feed. When the leaves die down remove the bulb and either dry it for further use in a pot in the autumn or just plant to twice its depth in the garden.
Please remember our Spring Show on 21st March. Schedules and entry forms can be obtained from committee members and from The Five Bells.
Good Gardening
Peter Estcourt