Spring 2022

BADGER’S PLOT
this period, runner bean, French bean and
cucumber. If weather conditions are mild
enough, it is possible to plant celery, celeriac
and courgette, outside. Delay, if there is any
risk of frost.
LATE SPRING
Spring Musings
Sowing Under Glass
Either in the greenhouse or outside cold
frame, it might be possible to sow, in trays,
kale, purple sprouting broccoli, savoy cabbage,
swede and lettuce.
Planting Outside
Continue planting out potatoes and if you
have any beetroot or peas ready from earlier
sowings under glass, they can be planted out,
although peas will need to be protected from
birds – fleece is ideal as it will also help to
keep the ground warm.
The unpredictable nature of our
climate and weather patterns is
best illustrated by the difficulties
gardeners face during the
springtime. Whilst
the days are certainly getting
longer there is the ever
present threat of snow,
frosts and heavy rain. It
is even possible to see
higher than average
temperatures. As usual,
the tasks for period have
been split into three: early,
mid and late spring. Subject
to the weather, of course!
EARLY SPRING
This is the start of a really busy period for
vegetable gardeners especially those who
have spent the winter months planning their
plot for the coming year.
Sowing Under Glass
If you have the greenhouse, get started with
tomato, courgette, squash, chilli, pepper,
aubergine, pea, broccoli, celery and beetroot.
I prefer to grow my onions from seed
rather than sets, so include them
too.
Sowing Outside
The weather will determine
if conditions are right for
sowing parsnip, early carrot
and radish as well as your
onion and shallot sets. In
addition, early potatoes can go
in and It’s not too late to sow
broad bean.
MID SPRING
With the availability of a greenhouse, start
sowings of Brussels sprout, autumn cabbage
and sweetcorn and, towards the end of
TOP TIPS!
If you like the idea of companion
planting on your plot, now is the time to
start sowing seeds in trays. Companion
plants will help deter certain pests
and encourage growth. Why not try
nasturtiums (attract blackfly away from
broad beans and runner beans), French
marigold (strong smell deters carrot root
fly) and poached egg plant ( attracts
hoverflies and ladybirds that feed on
aphids).
Many vegetable gardeners now
include a wild flower area to encourage
pollinators, but have you thought
about growing flowers that are edible
? Here’s some suggestions: hollyhock
and cornflower (flowers), nigella and
flax (seeds), dill and fennel (leaves and
flowers).
34 The Cake • Spring 2023