Lucy Chamberlain’s Fruit and Veg
There’s plenty of work to do now under cover, says Lucy
THE tomatoes are down, and so are the cucumbers, but it’s not just nature that abhors a vacuum – we gardeners do, too! If you’re lucky enough to have an under cover growing space, it seems a shame to waste it during the chillier months. So, why not keep on cropping it throughout the winter?
Even if you’d assumed you couldn’t grow anything under glass (or, indeed, a polytunnel) from November until February, plenty of vegetables, herbs and salads can be started off now (see the panel, right). By insulating the area you’ll really open the doors to winter cropping, so do yourself a favour and invest in some bubblewrap and, if possible, a heater (see below).
The right equipment
Provided the temperature doesn’t fall below 6°C, you’ll be able to keep crops ticking along gently. Get yourself kitted out with a max-min thermometer to fully commit to top-quality growth (I watch mine like a hawk throughout winter).
You’d be amazed how much the temperature can dip away from a heat mat and closer to the sides, so position your trays and pots of plants accordingly (the middle of the house and off the floor is the warmest spot). I mention heat mats because they are invaluable. Simply plug them in and lay your sown trays on top.
By using shallow trays rather than taller pots, the injection of heat will really be felt by the seeds and seedlings.
Of course, the Victorians would have relied on making hotbeds using fresh animal manure – thank goodness times have changed!