Agriculture Reference
In-Depth Information
If you have already ordered some 'first early' potatoes, which reach maturity
faster than other types, they should arrive near the beginning of the month.
Place them rose end up (the 'rose' is a cluster of sprouting points or 'eyes') in egg
boxes, which are perfect for the job, in a well-lit, frost-free place such as a cool
windowsill. This makes them sprout or 'chit', giving the foliage an early start,
and a week or so spent chitting is worth two or three weeks in the ground, bringing
your first harvest that little bit closer.
Some gardeners break off all but the best chit, but since this is in order to pro-
duce fewer, larger potatoes, there seems little point in doing it for first earlies,
which are often eaten small and with the skin still on. Whatever you decide to do,
it's certainly worth rubbing off any chits that sprout from the wrong end of the
tuber. Chits are brittle and easy to break, so be gentle with any you want to keep.
What to sow
Aubergines, broad beans, cabbage, carrots, cauliflower, celeriac, celery, chard,
coriander, garlic and elephant garlic, kohlrabi, lettuce, peas, peppers, potatoes,
radishes, rocket, spinach, spring onions, strawberries, sweet potatoes, tomatoes,
turnips.
What to harvest
Beetroot, cabbage, carrots, cauliflower, celeriac, celery, chard, coriander, daikon,
kohlrabi, lettuce, pak choi, radishes, rocket, spinach, spring onions, turnips.
