Variety specific advice

Variety specific planting advice.

Brassica Seedlings

Celeriac Seedlings

Pepper and Tomato Seedlings

Celery Seedlings

Beetroot Seedlings

Courgette, Pumpkin and Squash Seedlings

Leek and Spring Onion Seedlings

Onion Seedlings

Lettuce, Chard and Spinach Seedlings

Aubergine Seedlings

Radish Seedlings

Chinese Cabbage Seedlings

Sweetcorn Seedlings

Brassica Seedlings

SOIL CONDITIONS- Brassica’s like a rich soil with plenty of Nitrogen. Add lots of well rotted compost or manure or top dress with bonemeal. Another alternative is to use wormcast compost. PH needs to be high so lime might be needed this will help to prevent Club Root. Do a soil test.

PLANTING INSTRUCTIONS- Using a dibber make a hole and place the young plant in it so that the soil just covers the top of the root block. Firm the plant in then water well.

SPACING- Brussels Sprouts- Between Plants 60cm [24in], Between Rows 75cm [30in] Autumn Cabbage- Between Plants 45cm [18in], Between Rows 60cm [24in] Spring Cabbage- Between Plants 45cm [18in], Between Rows 60cm [24in] Winter cabbage- Between Plants 60cm [24in], Between Rows 60cm [24in] Cauliflower- Between Plants 60cm [24in], Between Rows 60cm [24in] Calabrese- Between Plants 45cm [18in], Between Rows 60cm [24in] Sprouting Broccoli- Between Plants 60cm [24in], Between Rows 60cm [24in] Kale- Between Plants 60cm [24in], Between Rows 60cm [24in]

PESTS- Cabbage white caterpillars and root fly.

Cabbage white caterpillars Signs of attack. 1. White butterflies around your plants. 2. Eggs on the underside of leaves. 3. Large holes appearing in the leaves. 4. Abundance of small brown or green deposits as they feed.

Plants affected are all brassica’s plus Swedes and turnips.

Treatment Chemicals 1.Pyrethrum 2.Rotenone 3.Bifenthrin Note Please read manufacturers instructions for use and use safely.

Organic Treatment 1.Check under leaves and remove egg clusters. 2.Pick of live caterpillars by hand. 3. Dead or old caterpillars which have become parasitized leave on the plants as they will spread parasites to other caterpillars. 4.Spray Bacillius thuringiensis above and below leaves. This is a natural bacteria that affects only caterpillars and not there predators.

Prevention 1.Check daily for any sign off eggs and remove. 2. Cover plants with insect proof mesh or fleece. 3.Transfer any parasitized caterpillars to any new infestation. 4. Avoid planting colourful or high nectar plants near the veg plot.

Root Fly Signs of infestation. 1.Wilting leaves in hot weather. 2.Discolouring of leaves. 3.Young plants dieing. 4. When plants pulled out the ground little white larvae on roots and in the soil.

Prevention When planting place discs of either card, felt or carpet around base of stem. The fly will lat eggs on this and the eggs will dry out.

Celeriac Seedlings

SOIL CONDITIONS- Fertile moisture retentive soil with plenty of compost.

PLANTING- Using a dibber make holes to place young plants in making sure that the soil just covers the top of the module block and firm in

SPACING- Plant 30cm [1ft] apart and rows 45cm [18in] apart. When hoeing pull soil away from plants. Also remove any side shoots and keep weed free.

Pepper and Tomato Seedlings

SOIL CONDITIONS- A good compost either in 23cm [9in] pots or in grow bags. Do not feed these plants much nitrogen. When fruit appears feed weekly with a good tomato feed for best results.

PLANTING- Using a dibber make holes to place young plants in making sure that the soil just covers the top of the module block and firm in. If in grow bags cut small slit in top of bag and carefully place young plant in. These will all need staking. Please note this crop requires protection against frost.

SPACING- In a grow bag place three plants. One plant per pot.

PESTS- Whitefly best deterrent is to companion plant using tagetes type marigolds.

Celery Seedlings

SOIL CONDITIONS- Rich fertile soil. Well dug so soil is loose. Apply general fertiliser every 3 weeks.

PLANTING- Using a dibber make holes to place young plants in making sure that the soil just covers the top of the module block and firm in.

SPACING- Plant 30cm [1ft] apart and rows 60cm [2ft] apart.

Beetroot Seedlings

SOIL CONDITIONS- Rich soil conditions with well dug soil which is loose. Apply general fertiliser before planting and again 3 weeks later.

PLANTING- Using a dibber make holes to place young plants in making sure that the soil just covers the top of the module block and firm in.

SPACING- Plant 10cm [4in] apart and rows 30cm [1ft] apart.

Courgette, Pumpkin and Squash Seedlings

SOIL CONDITIONS- Rich and moist with plenty of organic material, home made compost or worm cast compost. Dig in a good fertiliser eg. Blood, fish and bone.

PLANTING- Dig a huge hole and fill with plenty of organic material. Using a dibber make a hole and place your plant in, with the soil just covering the module block. If you have a compost heap you can even plant direct into it. Water well and make sure it does not dry out. Please note this crop requires protection against frost.

SPACING- Plant at least 1m [3ft] apart

FERTILISER- Feed weekly with a liquid fertiliser

PESTS- Slugs and snails love young plants so protect with coarse grit, copper wire etc or use slug pellets sparingly.

Cucumber Seedlings

SOIL CONDITIONS- Rich well drained soil. Dig in plenty of compost. Alternatively use a grow bag. Feed these plants regularly.

PLANTING- Using a dibber make a hole and place young plant so that the top of the module block is just covered and firm in. Water well. 3 plants to a grow bag. Cucumbers can be grown outside but wait until all risk of frost is passed. Make a frame for them to climb this also applies to the green house.

HARVESTING- The more you pick the more will grow. If not picked the plant will stop producing new fruits.

PESTS- Slugs, snails and red spider mite.

Herb Seedlings

SOIL CONDITIONS- Likes rich free draining soil.

PLANTING- Using a dibber make holes to place young plants in making sure that the soil just covers the top of the module block and firm in.

SPACING- Pinch out the tops and plant 15cm [6in] apart.

Kohl Rabi Seedlings

SOIL CONDITIONS- Rich well draining soil. Dig in plenty of compost previous to planting. Add general purpose fertiliser prior to planting and again 3 weeks later.

PLANTING- Using a dibber make holes to place young plants in making sure that the soil just covers the top of the module block and firm in

SPACING- Plants need to be 15cm [6in] apart and rows 30cm[1ft] apart.

Swede Seedlings

SOIL CONDITIONS- Well worked light soil. If soil holds water plant on a ridge. Dig in a general fertiliser before planting and about 3 weeks later.

PLANTING- Using a dibber make holes to place young plants in making sure that the soil just covers the top of the module block and firm in.

SPACING- Plant about 30cm [6in] apart and rows about 30cm [6in].

PESTS- Cabbage root fly – use a fine mesh over the top.

Leek and Spring Onion Seedlings

SOIL CONDITIONS- Rich soil conditions not waterlogged soil. Well drained.

PLANTING- Using a dibber make a hole about 12cm [5in] deep, drop the plant in the hole and fill the hole with water. As plant is growing draw the soil around the base with a hoe to help blanche the stems.

SPACING- Plant 23cm [9in] apart and rows 30cm [1ft] apart.

Onion Seedlings

SOIL CONDITIONS- Rich soil conditions not waterlogged soil. Well drained.

PLANTING- Using a dibber make holes to place young plants in making sure that the soil just covers the top of the module block and firm in.

SPACING- Plant 23cm [9in] apart and rows 30cm[1ft] apart.

Lettuce, Chard and Spinach Seedlings

SOIL CONDITIONS- Rich soil that holds water but not boggy. Dig in plenty of compost.

PLANTING- Using a dibber make holes to place young plants in making sure that the soil just covers the top of the module block and firm in. To get a continuous supply of lettuce plant at regular intervals through the season.

SPACING- Plant about 23cm [9in] apart in a row. Rows about 23cm [9in] apart. If you are planting cut and come again lettuce you can plant them closer.

PESTS- Rabbits, place a fence around garden patch. For slugs and snails try some beer traps.

Aubergine Seedlings

SOIL CONDITIONS- Rich well draining soil with plenty of compost. Keep the soil moist through growing period. Apply a general fertiliser every 2weeks to the growing plants.

PLANTING- Using a dibber make holes to place young plants in making sure that the soil just covers the top of the module block and firm in. Wait until all risk of frosts have gone before planting out. Please note this crop requires protection against frost.

SPACING- Plant about 30cm [1ft] apart and rows 60cm [2ft] apart.

PESTS- Aphids, Red spider mites and whiteflies. Either spray or use the appropriate organic method

Radish Seedlings

SOIL CONDITIONS- Prepare soil about a month before planting out. De stone and do not put fresh compost in. Add bonemeal about one month before hand.

PLANTING- Using a dibber make holes to place young plants in making sure that the soil just covers the top of the module block and firm in.

SPACING- These can be planted very close together and harvested quickly.

Chinese Cabbage Seedlings

SOIL CONDITIONS- Rich light loam soil with plenty of compost. Dig in well rotted manure 2 weeks before planting. If soil is acid then dig some lime beforehand.

PLANTING- Using a dibber make holes to place young plants in making sure that the soil just covers the top of the module block and firm in.

SPACING- Plant in rows about 25cm [10in] apart and the rows about 25cm [10in] apart

Sweetcorn Seedlings

SOIL CONDITIONS- Rich fertile soil with plenty of compost dug in. Feed at fortnightly intervals with a tomato food or equivalent.

PLANTING- Using a dibber make holes to place young plants in making sure that the soil just covers the top of the module block and firm in.Plant in a square block to help germination. About 45cm [18in] apart and in rows about 45cm [18in] apart.

SPACING- About 45cm [18in] apart and in rows about 45cm [18in] apart

Flower bulbs

Vegetable plants

Variety specific advice