Kitchen Garden Magazine

Grow your own fruit and veg with the UK's No. 1 Kitchen Garden magazine

Jobs for February

Let’s get started!
February is the month when we can finally get things moving outside on the veg plot and in the greenhouse too, as early sowings can at last be made. However, as always don’t be too eager to sow if the conditions are not quite right – wait a few more weeks for the soil to warm up

 

Fruit in brief

• Complete pruning of apples and pears, before the sap starts to rise and the buds burst. The last month for this is traditionally March, but the seasons seem to get earlier every year, so don’t get caught out.
• Cut autumn-fruiting raspberries down to ground level and chip the prunings. However, if there are any signs of disease it is better not to use the chippings as mulch or in the compost heap, but to dispose of them away from the garden.
• Spray peaches, nectarines and apricots against peach leaf curl using Murphy Traditional Copper Fungicide or Vitax Bordeaux Mixture.
• There is still time to plant tree and soft fruit (such as raspberries, gooseberries and currants). Bare-rooted plants should be planted before buds start to burst in the spring.

Broad beans

Broad beans are among our hardiest crops and therefore one of the most suitable for an early sowing outdoors. When choosing a variety it is important to consider the likely height of the crop – many varieties are tall and top heavy by the time they produce a crop. The bonus however, is that they will usually produce a heavier yield than a more compact variety such as 'The Sutton'.
Sowing in double rows about 20cm (8in) apart, with 60cm (2ft) between the double rows helps plants become mutually supporting as they grow. You may still wish to use canes and string to provide further support if necessary. Sown now, you could be enjoying your first tasty pickings by the middle of June.

Broad beans are not too fussy when it comes to soil, but good drainage, some sunshine and a reasonably fertile site are an advantage. It is therefore acceptable to sow into ground which was manured the previous autumn, but this is not essential.

Mice will steal the seeds from the soil given the chance so to deter them cover the newly sown area with some fine mesh chicken wire or cloches. The latter will also keep off the worst of the weather.
Alternatively, sow into deep pots such as sweet pea pots or Rootrainers inside, planting out once the plants are well established. Dig in some general fertiliser a week before sowing or planting.

For lots more advice, see this month's issue, available to buy online!

Copyright information

All content is ©copyright Mortons Media Group 2008 • Organic Gardening magazine | Subscribe | Buy current issue