Is that right? Spring vegetables? How can that be, we are only just into autumn! Well, yes, it is, with a little planning and some smart planting options, you can aim to have plenty of fresh produce later in the year. Here are a few thoughts on what can be planted out in the next week or so ready for eating from August onward. It can be a bit hit and miss over the winter period, but if you consider your own microclimate, you may want to experiment with these popular veggies.
Broad Beans. You will see them sprouting up between 10 – 14 days, then they will grow slowly until it gets very cold at which stage they stay as they are until August when they will take off again bearing towards the end of September. Why have them there during winter? Well, the cold will toughen up the foliage making them less attractive to pests. You can wait and plant the broad beans in spring as they will grow at the same pace, but they are very likely to be attacked by pests. You can also lime the soil.
Cabbage. Seedlings are more reliable than seeds this time of the year. These also like well limed soil along with plenty of matured manure, but added at different times, not together.
Cauliflower. If possible, plant with all the other cabbage family, as this will make it easier to rotate them into other beds next season. Paleleaf is a reliable type
Lettuce. They like well-drained soil. In very cold areas place a plastic bag over the growing plant (or build a hothouse over them) to protect them. Lettuce love water, but it must be moving through the soil not sitting in it.
Onions. You will need to pick the right variety, as some will bolt early. Odourless and White Spanish types can be sown now. Spring onions can also be grown (all year round). Again, onions are lime lovers.
Peas. You can plant some varieties now, but only if you don’t get frosts, the soil is well drained, and you apply plenty of organic matter to the soil and lime – they love it.
Radish. These can be grown all year round in most areas.
Silverbeet. It's too late for seeds, but seedlings can often grow and be ready in a few months in a well-drained bed.
Spinach. This is a winter vegetable which will remain stunted if the soil is too acid, but you can sow the seed now.
In cooler climates, like mine, it is too early or too late for most other veggies.
So plenty of planning and doing to be done before the months end.
Enjoy!
Peter
And don't forget for the rest of the month we are offering free postage on all orders within Australia AND free greenhouse film and clamps for orders over $100. All you need to do is
· add the items you want to the cart to a value that is $100 or more,
· then add the greenhouse film to the order (Greenhouse / Hothouse film and clamps - Flexi Garden Frames),
· use the code FGHF326 at checkout and the price of the greenhouse film will be removed.