Category: Fruit

  • Unless you grow blight-resistant potato varieties, such as Sarpo Mira, it will be necessary to spray for potato blight in most years, especially for maincrop potatoes.
  • The early crop varieties are usually used up by the time blight becomes a problem.
  • Remove vegetables that have gone over and cannot be used to make space for new sowings.
  • Sweet corn is sometimes slow to start in a cool summer and do not make great height as a result.
  • Make late sowings of lettuce, peas, carrots and radishes.
  • If the soil is dry, peas and cabbage should be watered to keep the plants growing.
  • Be careful about watering carrots because they often split if a lot of water is given. after a dry spell.
  • Weeds in the vegetable garden should be controlled by hoeing or hand-weeding before they get away.
  • Make any repeat sowings that are necessary to ensure a late-season supply of fresh vegetables.
  • Spray against apple scab disease if there is prolonged wet weather, because the fruit is now starting to swell.
  • Begin to use vegetables as soon as they are large enough, such as fingerling carrots, because this helps to spread out the supply that can otherwise peak in a short period.
  • Water vegetable seedlings if they need it.
  • Thin out and transplant vegetables that have reached suitable size, and control weeds early.
  • Plant out savoy cabbage and other winter varieties.
  • If there is warm wet wether, it is potato blight weather and potatoes should be sprayed.
  • Continue to make repeat sowings of fast-maturing vegetables, especially salads that go over quickly.
  • Thin out and transplant vegetables that have reached suitable size, and control weeds early.
  • During any wet period, spray apple trees for apple scab.
  • Spray potatoes for blight – spray warnings are given on radio.
  • Feed sweet corn and other tender vegetables to make them grow rapidly.
  • Sow seeds of swede turnips for winter use.
  • Weed growth can be very strong now and it is important to deal with weeds as soon as possible, taking advantage of the first dry day to hoe weed seedlings.
  • Sow some more carrots, broccoli, lettuce and peas, and thin out vegetables that have reached suitable size.
  • Sow savoy cabbage and other winter varieties.
  • Tender vegetables, such as sweet corn, outdoor tomatoes, pumpkins and runner beans can be planted out after hardening off.
  • Spray apple and pear trees for scab disease if there has been weather favourable for scab.
  • If there is wet weather, especially in warm conditions, apple and pear trees will need spraying against apple and pear scab, especially if the scab disease is present on the leaves and has affected the fruit in recent years.
  • Continue to sow vegetables such as lettuce, radish, carrots, peas, french beans, cauliflower and parsley.
  • Sow seeds of winter cabbage and cauliflower.
  • Watch for greenfly on apple trees too but do not spray until the petals fall.
  • If codling moth grubs in apples has been a problem in recent years, spray with a caterpillar spray at the end of flowering and two weeks later.
  • Strawberries may need netting against bird damage.
  • Plant out tender vegetables such as sweet corn, outdoor tomatoes and runner beans in mild areas or wait for warmer weather in the next two weeks.
  • It is important to keep ahead of weeds by hoeing while they are still small and after any few days rain that brings on weeds.
  • Repeat sow vegetables sown earlier in the year, such as lettuce, peas and carrots.
  • Thin out vegetables that have reached suitable size, and control weeds early.
  • There is still time to sow savoy cabbage varieties for winter and early spring use.
  • If the weather is wet, or there is wet foliage for more than half a day, spray apple trees for apple scab; and pear trees for pear scab.
  • Sow cabbage and cauliflower for autumn and winter use in the coming weeks.
  • In mild areas, plant out tender vegetables such as sweet corn and runner beans.
  • Wait a week or two in colder areas, or if the weather is cold and windy, grow on these plants, feeding them in pots if they are hungry and reducing the temperature in the greenhouse by ventilating, to slow their growth.
  • Spray apple and pear trees for scab disease and check for greenflies at the same time.
  • Make a sowing of maincrop carrots.
  • Repeat sowings of vegetables sown early, such as lettuce and peas, can be made now.
  • Thin out vegetables that have reached suitable size.
  • Apple and pear trees often get apple or pear scab disease and check for greenflies in large numbers.
  • Sowing of vegetables can continue if the ground is dry enough, especially french beans, summer turnips, carrots, peas and salad crops.
  • Repeat sowings of those sown early, such as lettuce. radish?and peas, can be made.
  • Thin out vegetable seedlings that have reached suitable size.
  • Sow cabbage and cauliflower for autumn and winter.
  • Sweet corn and runner beans can be sown directly outdoors but, with outdoor sowing of these tender crops, a lot depends on the summer weather for success.
  • Weeds among vegetables should be removed now while they are still small and before they get a chance to develop. The first flush of weeds is always the worst but if it is controlled, it will be easy to stay ahead.
  • Herbs seeds can be sown in a greenhouse or sprouted indoors.
  • If codling moth was a problem on apple trees last year, a spray of systemic insecticide should be applied at petal fall and two weeks later. The hormone traps do not work so well in a domestic garden.
  • The normal sprays for apple scab should be kept up, especially following wet weather.
  • If not already done, apply some wood ashes, a source of potash, to fruit trees or a fruit fertilizer to improve growth and yield, but not rich compost or manure when tends to promote soft growth and diseases.
  • Check for greenflies on fruit trees and bushes but do not spray when the blossoms are open in case of damaging pollinating bees and other insects.
  • All kinds of vegetables can be sown, especially carrots, cabbage, peas, onion sets, potatoes and cauliflower.
  • Sow seed onions, and sets can be planted.
  • A first sowing of French beans can be made.
  • Sow herb seeds too.
  • Sow vegetables as the opportunity presents itself, especially maincrop vegetables, such as carrots and peas, and repeat sowings of small amounts of salads.
  • Sow french beans as soon as the soil warms up.
  • Stay on schedule for sowing cabbage and cauliflower for autumn and winter in the next few weeks.
  • Sweet corn and runner beans can be sown in the greenhouse for planting out later.
  • Spray apple trees for apple scab disease and check for greenflies at the same time.
  • Herb seeds can be sown now too.
  • Control weeds between vegetables by hoeing on a dry breezy when they are still seedlings. Remove weed seedlings close to vegetables by hand – it takes less time when the weeds are small.
  • If conditions are right, sow vegetable seeds, ‘including’ carrots, broccoli, cabbage, broad beans, peas, parsnips, beetroot and white turnips.
  • Sow herbs seeds in warm weather.
  • Sow cabbage and cauliflower soon for autumn and winter cropping.
  • Sweet corn and runner beans can still be sown in the greenhouse for planting out later.
  • Spray apple and pear trees for apple or pear scab disease and check for greenfly.
  • It is time to sow most kinds of vegetables during good weather with the soil in good condition, taking advantage of any good spell of weather.
  • Onion sets and shallots can be put in too, if not already done.
  • Potatoes can be planted at any time, and it is already a bit late for the first early varieties.
  • Spray apple and pear trees against scab disease if the trees are not resistant varieties, which most kinds are not.
  • Sweet corn and runner bean seeds can be sown in the greenhouse or indoor window sill for planting out later.
  • Take advantage of any chance to sow vegetable seeds if the ground is right …? most kinds can be sown from now on.
  • Control weed seedlings between vegetables as soon as they come up by hoeing on a bright dry breezy day. It is easier to get rid of ‘weed seedlings’ when they are still small.
  • Onion sets can be put in now.
  • Potatoes can be planted.
  • Apply some potash to fruit trees or a fruit fertilizer to improve growth and yield but not rich compost or manure when tends to promote soft growth and diseases.
  • Spray apple and pear trees against scab diseases if the trees are of susceptible varieties and had scab last year.
  • In late March or early April, there is usually a dry spell of weather suitable for sowing vegetable seeds outdoors and be sure to take advantage of it.
  • In the cooler,damper parts of the country, it can a good idea to start vegetable seeds in small pots or cell trays in a greenhouse or indoors.
  • Seeds sown in cold conditions are often slow to sprout but will do so when the weather warms, although some can fail, notably parsnips, and need to be re-sown.
  • Ensure that the ground is adequately fertile for vegetables because they are mostly heavy feeders … apply 100 grams of general fertilizer per squate metre if neccesary, or less if the soil is good.
  • Use plenty of rotted farmyard manure in a four-year roatation around the vegetable area.
  • Onion sets and shallots can be put in now too.
  • Potatoes should be planted as soon as possible.
  • Prune apple and pear trees and blackcurrant bushes without delay because the buds are already opening.
  • It has been very wet, but sow vegetable seeds when conditions allow, outdoors, or sow in cell trays if a greenhouse is available,
  • Be sure that the ground is adequately fertile for vegetables – apply some general fertiliser. Or apply plenty of compost to part of the ground area each year.
  • Onion sets and shallots can be put in now too.
  • Potatoes should be planted as soon as possible.
  • If new fruit trees and bushes are to be planted, they should be put in as soon as possible to get the benefit of the best growing part of the year.
  • Apply some potash to fruit trees or a fruit fertilizer to improve growth and yield but not rich compost or manure when tends to promote soft growth and diseases.
  • Pruning of apple and pear trees and blackcurrant bushes should be completed this week because the buds will be already opening.
  • Weed around established herb plants to ensure they are weed-free as new growth begins.
  • Early varieties of cabbage, cauliflower, carrots, lettuce, peas and onions can be started in a tunnel or glasshouse, it is wet outdoors.
  • Outdoor sowings of many vegetables, especially of onions from seed, parsnips and sprouts, all of which like an early start, can be carried out from now on if the ground conditions are suitable.
  • Plant garlic and shallot sets without delay. The garlic needs a touch of cold while it is in the ground.
  • The rhubarb variety, ‘Timperley Early’ produces stalks of usable size as early as January.
  • Asparagus crowns from shops should be planted as fresh as possible in well-drained soil in a sunny position.
  • New fruit trees should be planted as soon as possible.
  • Pruning of apple and pear trees and blackcurrant bushes should be completed right away.
  • Old neglected apple trees can have any broken or diseased branches removed, or any branches that are growing back towards the centre of the tree.

 

  • Early varieties of cabbage, cauliflower, carrots, lettuce and onions can be started in a tunnel or glasshouse and planted out into better growing conditions during April or May when they have had a head-start.
  • As the ground continues to dry out, take any opportunity that comes to carry out early outdoor sowings, especially of onions from seed, leeks, parsnips and sprouts, which like an early start.
  • Plant garlic and shallot sets without delay as it is getting late.
  • Plant out new herb plants if the ground is in good condition. New fruit trees should be planted as soon as possible.
  • Pruning of apple and pear trees and blackcurrant bushes should be completed within a couple of weeks, but this can be done even after bud break if it is delayed.
  • Plant potatoes if the soil is in good condition.
  • If it has been too wet to dig ground over, wait until it dries out.
  • It is a good time to put in permanent vegetables such as rhubarb, globe artichokes and asparagus.
  • Asparagus crowns are sometimes offered for sale about now and they should be planted as fresh as possible in well-drained soil in a sunny position.
  • Plant garlic and shallot sets, if the ground is dry enough to cultivate.
  • Sow seeds of early varieties of cabbage, cauliflower, carrots, lettuce and onions in a tunnel or glasshouse to plant out for early crops.
  • New fruit trees should be planted as soon as possible.
  • Pruning of apple and pear trees and blackcurrant bushes should be completed within a couple of weeks.
  • Buds are already starting to swell on fruit trees and bushes, so any new trees or bushes should be planted within the next few weeks.
  • Pruning of apple and pear trees and blackcurrant bushes should be completed as soon as possible.
  • Plant garlic and shallots sets without delay if the ground is dry enough to cultivate.
  • Sow vegetables such as early peas, broad beans, onions and parsnips outdoors.
  • Sow seeds of early varieties of cabbage, cauliflower, carrots, lettuce and onions in a tunnel or glasshouse to get a start on the season.

 

  • Early potatoes can be put in to sprout with a little warmth and good light for planting in the coming weeks, depending on the soil conditions.
  • Ground for vegetables should be cleared of weeds and cultivated for sowing the first seeds, as soon as the opportunity arises. Weeds could be removed or killed on vegetable ground.
  • Shallots and garlic can be planted early in dry weather..
  • Sow seeds of early varieties of cabbage, cauliflower, carrots, lettuce and onions in a tunnel or glasshouse to get a head-start on the season despite the conditions outdoors.
  • Fruit trees and bushes can be planted now and pruning completed.

 

  • Early potatoes can be put in to sprout with a little warmth and good light for planting in the coming weeks, depending on the soil conditions.
  • Ground for vegetables should be cleared of weeds and cultivated for sowing the first seeds, as soon as the opportunity arises. Weeds could be removed or killed on vegetable ground.
  • Shallots and garlic can be planted early in dry weather..
  • Sow seeds of early varieties of cabbage, cauliflower, carrots, lettuce and onions in a tunnel or glasshouse to get a head-start on the season despite the conditions outdoors.
  • Fruit trees and bushes can be planted now and pruning completed.

 

  • Sow seeds of early varieties of cabbage, cauliflower, carrots, lettuce and onions. These will give an early crop but have to be started off in warm conditions indoors, or in a propagator, and grown on in a greenhouse or tunnel.
  • Watch cabbage family crops, especially purple sprouting broccoli, for attacks by pigeons and net them if necessary.
  • Seed potatoes of early varieties can be put into a warm place to sprout now; this allows earlier harvesting by about three weeks.
  • Rhubarb stools for forcing in a dark, warm place, under the stairs for example, should be lifted before the end of the month.
  • Take the opportunity to complete digging a vegetable area if the ground is dry enough.
  • Early potatoes can be placed in a bright place indoors, or greenhouse, to ‘chit’, or sprout which aids earlier cropping.
  • To have early new vegetables, you can sow the seed of early varieties of cabbage, cauliflower, carrots, lettuce, peas and onions now, starting them in warm conditions indoors, or in a propagator, and grown on in a greenhouse or tunnel.
  • Seed potatoes of early varieties can be put into trays in a greenhouse or a window sill indoors to sprout now.
  • Check on fruit trees to see if they have been rocked by strong winds. Most dwarfing rootstocks have small roots and the stakes will need to be solid.
  • Check for signs of bullfinch damage to buds and net the trees if necessary.
  • Lift  a few rhubarb stools for forcing in a dark, warm place, or in a black plastic bag.