Seed Guide 2007 pgs 01/41 - McKenzie Seeds

G R O W I N G I N F O R M A T I O N
sheltered position in the garden with the
main crop sowings in mid to late spring.
Sow the seed 1/2in (1.25cm) deep with the
rows 6in (15cm) apart. Thin out in stages
to 4-6in (10-15cm) apart.
Two 15ft (4.5cm) rows of main crop
carrots will give a yield of 60 to 80 lb and
the roots can be lifted from late summer
onward, In favourable areas the crop can
be left in the ground with a covering of
straw or plastic sheeting and lifted as
required.
The main pest of the crop is the carrot fly
which lays its eggs alongside the plants.
When they hatch the maggots tunnel into
the roots causing the plants to wilt and,
eventually, to die while the roots become
riddled with holes.
The only effective control is to erect a
barrier to prevent the fly reaching the
crop. Woven plastic fleece can be placed
over the seedlings or panels of polythene
sheeting tacked to wooden frames can be
erected round the rows.
Parsnips
Parsnip seed is very slow to germinate, so
a sowing in early spring as soon as the soil
is workable is recommended. Sow in rows
1in (2.5cm) deep with the rows 12in
(30cm) apart. Thin out gradually to one
seedling every 5-8in (13-20cm). Some
gardeners sow a quicker growing marker
crop, such as radish, to indicate the
position of the drills. Mature parsnips may
be left in the ground over the winter for
lifting as required or the entire crop can
be lifted and stored in peat or sand.
Turnips
This is a dual-purpose vegetable: delicious
when small and tender as a late spring
crop; versatile and long-lasting as a winter
vegetable, Choose a quick-maturing
variety, such as Early Snowball, for sowing
1/2in (1.25cm) deep in rows 6in (15cm)
apart in early spring. Harvest the roots
when they are about the size of tennis
balls and use the tops as spring greens.
Sow the maincrop, such as Rapa da
Mensa, in mid-summer and thin the
26
seedlings to 6in (15cm) apart. Keep the
plants well watered in dry weather. Lift
and store in late autumn as for parsnips.
Swede Turnip (Rutabaga)
These are a hardy root crop requiring an
open site and a long growing period. Sow
in late spring in drills 1/2in (1.25cm) deep
and 18in (45cm) apart. Thin the seedlings
to 6in (15cm) apart. Turnips and swedes
are brassicas and should, if possible, be
rotated with others of the family.
Celery and celeric
Celery is a crop that repays a lot of
attention, while celeriac is more hardy
and requires rather less management.
Both crops have a characteristic nutty
flavour and are delicious raw in winter
salads or cooked as a vegetable.
Trench celery requires early preparation of
the site with a 1ft (30cm) trench dug early
in the year: The bottom is filled with 6in
(15cm) of manure or compost, followed
by a 3in (7.5cm) layer of soil. The
remainder of the soil is used for earthing
up the crop.
Self-blanching and green celery varieties
require no earthing up and are rapidly
increasing in popularity, while celeriac is
treated as a root crop and can be stored
in peat or sand for use throughout the
winter.
Seeds for both are sown indoors in early
spring in trays of compost at 55-60F (13-
16C). Surface sow celery as the seed needs
light to germinate, but lightly cover the
celeriac. At the two true leaf stage prick
out the seedlings into boxes at about 31in
(7.5cm) apart or individually into small
pots. Harden off the plants gradually
when the weather starts to warm up and
plant out in early summer.
Allow about 9in (23cm) apart each way
for celery Plants and slightly more for the
celeriac. Both crops need adequate
moisture throughout the growing period.
Celery should be protected from autumn
frosts with straw, boxes, or landscape
fabric. Celeriac can be lifted in late
autumn and stored.