Agriculture Reference
In-Depth Information
Basil
Sow two or three seeds per module, 1-1.5cm deep, in late April to early June, with
gentle heat. When the seedlings have four true leaves, transplant them singly
into 10cm pots, and again into a 20cm pot when they are large enough. Basil
dislikes the cold, so bring the pots indoors if chilly weather threatens. Be careful
to provide good warmth and light throughout its life, but not too much water. By
mid-June you should be able to pick a few leaves, and this quickly increases to a
reasonable harvest that will continue until September. When picking always nip
out the growing point, and also pick and eat the tiny flowering stems. Grown like
this, basil does very well, and unless you eat lots of it you should need no more
than two pots.
Chervil
Chervil has
fine, feathery leaves, used in small amounts for their unique, slightly
anise flavour. Sow 1cm deep from February to September for baby leaves. August
and September plantings will stand over winter, and will bolt in March. It likes
moist conditions and partial shade.
Chicory
Strong-flavoured, chicory provides slightly bitter leaves for regular picking or
large, sweeter hearts, which form on unpicked plants. Sow 1cm deep from April
to September at 15cm each way for leaves. Sowings from late July are able to
stand over winter if protected with fleece. For hearts, choose a hearting variety
such as 'Sugar Loaf' and sow from early July to early August at 25cm each way.
Cut as soon as the heart is mature (check the seed merchant's information as
varieties vary).
Chicons
These small, pale yellow heads of chicory are crisp and sweet, and are produced
by forcing the roots of 'Whitloof'-type chicory plants (for example, 'Whitloof
Alba') that were sown before mid-June and picked only lightly. Carefully dig the
roots out in November (any branch roots left behind may sprout again like
weeds) and trim off the tops, before planting them three or four to a 30cm pot.
Leave the top 3cm of root exposed, as this is where the chicons will grow. Place
the pots in complete darkness - for example, under an upturned bin - as any
light will turn them green and bitter. They will hardly grow at all in the cool of
the tunnel, but can be kept until needed and put into a warm cupboard for a
harvest two to four weeks later. Cut them as soon as they begin to elongate prior
to flowering, and leave to grow again, although later cuttings will be smaller.
Chop up and compost the roots when they become exhausted.
Dill
Dill has fine, feathery leaves, used in small amounts for their strong aniseed-like
flavour. Sow 1cm deep from February to August for baby leaves. If growing to
