Agriculture Reference
In-Depth Information
If you have sown too many, undamaged carrots can be lifted for storage in early
September. Twist the leaves off the roots, leaving a stub of 2-3cm, and lay them
in damp sand or compost in a box with some space between them, so that if one
spoils it's less likely to infect its neighbour. Check them from time to time to
make sure they're not rotting. If you still have roots left in early spring and find
them sprouting, or if the winter is so mild that sprouting begins early, cut the
tops off the roots with a sharp knife and dip the cut into wood (not coal) ash to
stop further growth.
For longer-term storage, carrots may be sliced (or diced) and blanched for four
minutes before freezing. They also dry surprisingly well, plumping up again in
soups and stews so nicely that you would hardly know they weren't fresh.
Problems
Carrot fly
(seldom seen in polytunnels) and
slugs
, which can attack the seed-
lings if other food is scarce.
Cauliflower
Varieties:
'Igloo'
Because cauliflowers can be in the ground for a long time (more than eight
months for some varieties) and generally take up quite a bit of space, they may
not seem like an obvious choice for polytunnel growing. However, if circum-
stances make them difficult to grow well outside you may find that they fare
better in the sheltered, moist and cabbage-root-fly-free environment of the tunnel
and reward you with picture-perfect solid white curds in record time.
Cauliflowers are greedy feeders, so fork some compost or manure into the site a
week or two before planting out and keep well watered at all times; if cauliflowers
get too dry they will either form tiny heads or bolt. Feeding with a balanced
organic liquid feed once a fortnight will pay dividends in both size and vigour.
Since they prefer a pH between 6 and 7, you may also need to add a little lime to
the soil.
Sowing
Purchase seedling plants or sow seeds in pots or modules. Sow two seeds in a
5cm module and nip out the weaker one once they have their first leaves - then
