Spring and summer are approaching fast, so it’s time to plan and plant veggies for a summer harvest.
Where you grow your edible crops is important, ideally find a sunny spot, preferably near a water source, I.e rain water barrel, to make watering thirsty veggies a lot easier.
If you have already added organic compost or well -rotted manure to your selected area during the winter months, the soil will be well nourished and ready to plant up, or try using raised beds filled with good quality compost or top soil.
If you are growing edibles for the first time just sow or plant what you like to eat, and keep it simple. Eventually you can be more adventurous with different types of veggies.
Seed potatoes can be planted in potato sacks or large containers if there isn’t room in your plot. The potatoes will be ready for harvesting in December if planted now.
Ideal vegetables to start now are carrots, beetroot, sweetcorn, Swiss chard, sugar snap peas, bush and runner beans, parsnips, onions and cabbage. If you fancy growing pumpkins or squash remember these edibles need space to spread.
Growing some delicious, fresh salad crops will also be important for summer, so plant peppers, spring onions, cucumbers, radish, lettuce and tomatoes, also rocket, spinach and watercress, which can ‘bolt’ and run to seed quickly in hot sun, so are best grown in semi-shade.
Adding some ‘companion’ plants, like herbs or flowers alongside edibles will help nature by attracting pollinators help deter aphids and other pests.
The more friendly bugs in your garden, the healthier your plants will be. Rosemary, dill, marigolds and nasturtiums are all very effective pest deterrents.
Therapeutic, relaxing, satisfying and good for the environment, growing edibles is so rewarding!