Kitchen Gardener Rob Smith gives new life to an old wheelbarrow and starts some sowing
My old wheelbarrow is being put to good use as a new flatbed cart
It’s surprising how quickly January has come and gone; from blue skies to rain and snow, we’ve had it all, yet don’t be put off making the most of the good weather and getting out there (just make sure you’re wrapped up warm).
I received a new wheelbarrow for Christmas as one of my old ones has more holes than a sieve, yet the base and wheels are in good condition, therefore
I decided to repurpose the base to create a flatbed garden cart, which should be better for moving bagged soil and compost up the garden. The wheelbarrow meant I had to stack bags up and they became unsteady, yet the cart is wider and spreads the load. I do believe it’s always better to repurpose and reuse things in the garden when you can, plus you can save yourself a small fortune!
There are several crops that are still in the ground and need harvesting when the soil is workable, namely Jerusalem artichokes and parsnips. The former makes one of my favourite soups of the winter, even if there are certain after-effects that are less desirable! I’m glad I laid the artichoke foliage on the bed to remind me where they were, it’s saved me digging in the wrong place. If you haven’t already potted any tubers up to plant out later in the year, you can replant a few now as you’re harvesting the last of the crop. Choose a few big tubers and plant them 15cm (6in) deep with a mound of manure over the top to remind you where they are and to feed the plants as they grow.
My parsnips also need harvesting to allow me to add manure to the trough they were in, this should mean that it’ll be ready to sow and grow into in a few weeks time, as long as I don’t use it for root veg, as the manure can cause the roots to warp and twist. I’ll blanche then dry any excess parsnips before freezing them for use later in the year. Lifting them now also prevents any further rodent, weather or slug damage to the tops of the roots, as this can make them unusable.
If you have an unheated greenhouse and want to get going, you can make an early sowing of carrots in the borders or in buckets as long as they’re protected from the frost and covered with a layer of fleece to protect the seedlings. Choosing a variety that can grow at this time of year is critical, I find any of the ‘Nantes’ types work well and will produce small, fingersized roots in a few months. You
can also get a head start with one of the more challenging veg: cauliflower. Seeds of ‘Orkney F1’ and ‘All the Year Round’ can be started in trays in a greenhouse or windowsill as low as 10C (50F), just make sure they aren’t too dry or wet and remember mice and slugs can be a problem undercover, so take precautions when sowing brassicas as they can be decimated in no time. Once germinated, seedlings are happy in an unheated greenhouse or cold frame, potting on and planting out in spring.