Kitchen Gardener Rob Smith gives his crops a boost and is ready to start seed sowing
For those of us who started certain crops off in winter, it’s been a challenge this year with all the snow and rain, which can result in nutrients been washed out of the soil, leaving plants hungry when they’re just starting to grow. With this in mind, it’s time to inspect autumn-sown or autumn-planted crops and give them some TLC and a helping hand.
Edible alliums, such as onions, garlics and shallots, which were planted in autumn, should all be showing their green leaves by now, but to increase their leaf growth and bulb development, it’s the perfect time to give them a nitrogen-rich feed that will quickly break down into the soil and provide a welldeserved boost. Top dressing your plants with a pelleted chicken manure will give much-needed food as the plants begin to grow more vigorously now the daylight hours are increasing.
Simply scatter at the quantity stated on the packaging and gently work into the top 5cm (2in) of soil. You need to be really careful not to damage the young plants as this can cause them to rot. I prefer to use the small side of a rake rather than a sharp hoe. While working the chicken manure in, this should loosen and remove any small, annual weeds that have popped up; simply leave them to decompose in the bed like a green manure or remove them and toss them into the compost bay.
Broad beans are another crop that will benefit from feeding now. I normally either use seaweed or chicken manure in exactly the same way as for the onions – just try and keep any granules off the foliage as it can cause scorching. I also check over the beans for signs of any blackened damage, especially with the colder weather we’ve had since the new year. If you find blackened stems, they can be cut off the plant and, as long as you leave the base in the ground, they should produce new growth. As broad beans can be frozen solid and bounce back, you shouldn’t have too many problems with these hardy plants.
Pot-grown fruit will also benefit from a feed. I prefer to remove the top 5cm (2in) of the soil in the container and replace it with good
quality topsoil mixed with a little manure; this should help produce a healthy plant that will crop well. I then cover the new soil with gravel and water the plants well, as it’s surprising how quickly they’ll start to dry out now. I find keeping pot-grown fruit as standards or on a short stem helps to be able to get around the base with ease, especially if they’re spiky plants like gooseberries, otherwise you can get cut to pieces.
If you have a greenhouse it’s also worth starting some hardier leaves for spring salads. Rocket and mizuna are easy to grow now; sow a pinch each fortnight
to provide a constant supply, starting in a few months.