With a late start to spring we thought it would be helpful to give you a little guide to getting your veg patch on the go in the next few weeks. It’s easy to jump to the conclusion that since the weather is warm it is time to plant, but since everything started a little later than normal, it’s not quite as simple as that. Read on for some useful questions and answers!
WHEN SHOULD I PLANT SEED POTATOES?
You can start planting seed potatoes now and on into May as well. We often keep planting seed potatoes in June and July as well for a crop in late autumn before Christmas.
WHEN SHOULD I PLANT EARLY SPRING VEG?
We’d recommend planting Jerusalem Artichokes, Horseradish, Onions & Shallots and Asparagus between now and mid May. It is a little later than normal, but spring started a little later than normal, so there will be no harm done!
SHOULD I HAVE PLANT FRUIT EARLIER IN THE YEAR?
You possibly could have, but with the mixed weather we’ve had you won’t have missed out on any growing time. In fact your fruit plants will settle in and get established that much more quickly now that it is a little warmer. We would definitely recommend mulching your fruit plants though to lock in moisture. You’ll soon be able to buy potted fruit plants from Rocket Gardens too, and these can be planted any time over the next few months.
WHEN WILL I BE ABLE TO PLANT MY PLUG PLANTS?
We will be dispatching spring plug plants from the very end of April onwards for you to plant out. Everything is already growing in our polytunnels and, although some plants are a few days behind, everything is doing well. We’ll look after them a little longer to make sure they are healthy and strong when we send them to you.
WILL PLANTING A BIT LATER THIS YEAR AFFECT MY CROP?
No. Not at all. Firstly, the seedlings are already growing in our polytunnels and are well on their way. Secondly, we always say that May is the very best month for planting out, and you can keep planting throughout June and into July quite happily.
CAN YOU SEND ME MY PLANTS EARLIER?
We only send the plants when they are mature enough to survive the journey to your home (it is quite a big ask for a young plant to be torn from its home to be replanted in a new environment!) Even if you live in the sunniest, warmest part of the UK and will be growing all your veggies in a polytunnel, we still wouldn’t send them until they reach a certain size and have a strong enough root system. You’ll have a much better chance of success with your plants as a result.
WHAT SHOULD I BE DOING IN MY VEG PATCH NOW?
Use the next couple of weeks to get everything ready – sketch out where you will plant everything, prepare raised beds, wash down greenhouse windows, build wigwams for beans and peas etc etc. The more of this you do now, the more you can concentrate on nurturing your plants when they arrive.