Things to do
TomatoesGROWING FROM SEED: Suggested blight resistant varieties: Mountain Magic, Cocktail Crush.
HOW: In trays or pots of fresh compost at 15- 21 degrees C WHERE: On a warm, light windowsill or green house. POT ON: Into individual 3inch pots once true leaves appear. POT ON AGAIN: Into larger pots or growbags when plants are 3 times the height of the pot or when roots appear at the bottom of the pot. OR: After all risk of frost has passed plant out on the allotment. GENERAL CARE: Stake plants (dahlia stakes do the job) and keep well watered and fed. Use Tomorite or similar or make your own comfrey liquid (remember to dilute). Pick regularly and enjoy. They freeze well either whole or cut up cooked and frozen for sauces. |
PotatoesCHITTING: This involves keeping your bought seed potatoes in a cool dry place in egg boxes or trays until they have strong shoots. Keep the ‘eyes’ facing upwards. In about 6 to 8 weeks once the shoots are strong ,rather than long, they are ready to plant out.
PLANTING OUT: A bed or site enriched with well-rotted organic matter is ideal. Addition of potato fertiliser is advisable at the time of planting. HOW: Make sure each potato is planted with the shoots facing upwards in rows; 10-15 cms. deep and 30 cm.s apart with rows 60cms. apart. Some people like to make a trench, some plant individually. N.B. Once shoots appear above ground and if a frost if forecast cover with fleece as they are v. susceptible to the cold. CARE: As plants grow, earth up/cover with soil and this will encourage the plant to grow more tubers (potatoes). Water well in dry spells. HARVEST: Dig when foliage turns yellow (or rootle around before to check on size if you can’t wait). Some people cut off the foiliage before digging up this has several advantages: it may harden the skin so they store better, and it may protect from any blight that may have found its way to the site that year. However, this could encourage more slug damage(!) Gardening is never an exact science and can sometimes be the luck of the draw, depending on weather, soil quality etc. etc. |