Spring fever is in the garden
Celeriac and tomatoes are ready for sowing, while aubergines and asparagus also have my attention
When it comes to the vegetables that I like to grow for overwintering, celeriac has to be near the top of the list. Not only for its delicious flavour, but because it can be left in the ground with a good covering of fleece or leaves, and it stays in great condition. Plus it’s really good for making great coleslaw in late summer!
I finished harvesting my celeriac around four weeks ago, so it’s time to get more sown for this season, ready to plant out after the last frosts. As with most vegetable plants that attract hungry slugs, I like to start the tiny seeds off in trays or modules, giving them the best beginning in the unheated greenhouse. As with their celery relatives, they like to be kept moist to perform to their best, so don’t let them dry out at any stage or they might bolt and not produce much of a “root” (which is technically a swollen stem). They should germinate and grow quickly at this time of year, so be ready to prick them out once they have their first true leaves.
I’m also starting more tomatoes, but these are for growing outside rather than in the greenhouse. You only really need to start outdoor types six to eight weeks before you want to plant them out after the frosts; they can become too large and triffid-like if kept inside for much longer, resulting in weak or stretched plants. I’m starting two blightresistant varieties: a cordon called ‘Rubylicious’ and an easy-to-grow bush type called ‘Orangeto’, which has ‘Sungold’ type fruit and can be left to sprawl in its raised bed without the need for side shooting. I am sowing them in a small tray and will leave them in a heated propagator in the small greenhouse, pricking them out as soon as they have true leaves, ready to be planted out in late May.
While I’m in the little greenhouse, it’s time to pot up dwarf aubergines now they have some good roots on them. ‘Jackpot’ and the even smaller ‘Baby Black Jack’ are the two I’ve chosen. I’m transferring them into 15cm pots, as they only grow to around 35cm, so shouldn’t get too tall in their new homes before needing to be potted on to their final 25cm containers. Plus, this will allow me to squeeze the odd plant into spaces inside my greenhouse and on to the shelves, unlike larger aubergine plants which would be too big.
Outside in the asparagus bed, it’s time to start thinking about harvesting, especially as I’ve noticed the odd spear appearing since March; in fact, they seem to be getting earlier each year. If you notice your first true spears are beginning to curl or have a scar on them, this is due to either frost damage or slug damage, which can cause the spear to curl. Once your plants get into full production, this shouldn’t be an issue as they grow incredibly fast. However there really is nothing like the first spears of the season, just make sure to harvest them before they get over 25cm long or they can begin to open at the tip.
NEXT WEEK Giving gooseberries TLC!