Agriculture Reference
In-Depth Information
Wilted leaves in the bed is more likely to indicate that the plants are ready to
harvest than an actual problem - unless you forgot to water them for a while!
You don't have to leave beetroot until the roots are fully mature, however. For
the best flavour, pick them as soon as you think they're large enough. If the roots
are left in the ground for too long they are likely to become woody, but this will
not happen if they are lifted and stored. Some varieties can get much bigger than
others without going woody.
Beetroot can be lifted for storage in straw or dry sawdust. Twist off the leaves first
and place the roots so that they aren't touching each other.
Problems
Slugs
. Young seedlings may need protection, although they are often ignored in
favour of other plants.
Broccoli, sprouting
Varieties:
'Purple Sprouting Early'
Home-grown broccoli is seldom as perfect-looking as the heavily sprayed stuff you
see in the supermarket - but when it comes to taste, it is far superior. If you struggle
to find the space for this plant outdoors, given the space and long occupancy time
it needs, try it in the tunnel from an autumn or late-summer planting where, without
all the trouble from wind, caterpillars and pigeons, its vigour may surprise you.
There is usually no need to net the plants if grown over winter. Using a fast-
maturing variety such as the open-pollinated 'Quick Heading Calabrese' (available
from The Real Seed Catalogue at the time of writing - see Resources section) will
give more predictable results in our uncertain climate, at the expense of slightly
smaller heads.
Preparation
As for cabbage (see overleaf).
Sowing
Sow two seeds per 5cm module, thinning to the strongest once the seedlings
emerge. Harvesting dates are heavily dependent on the variety chosen, but for
fast-maturing varieties sow from mid-August to the end of September for a harvest
