| Some people think that growing vegetables is | | | | plants can be moved and planted in spaces left by |
| something for only the spring and summer, however | | | | harvested summer crops. Water the seedbed well, |
| that is not the case. In fact one of the best things | | | | and then lift the plants out gently, disturbing the |
| about having a vegetable patch or greenhouse in | | | | roots as little as possible. |
| your garden is the ability to grow crops all the year | | | | - Brussels sprouts - Space 60 cm (24 in) apart. |
| round. Once your spring/summer harvest has been | | | | - Broccoli - Space 60 cm (24 in) apart and apply |
| collected, you can plent vegetables such as Brussel | | | | nitrogen-based fertilizer. |
| sprouts, broccoli, leeks and kale which will give you a | | | | - Leeks - Plant in holes 15-20 cm (6-8 in) deep, 15 cm |
| winter harvest. | | | | (6 in) apart. Fill the hole with water and allow the soil |
| Sowing Winter Crops | | | | to fall in as the plant grows. |
| Winter crops are extremely hardy and can survive in | | | | - Kale (dwarf) - Space 30-45 cm (12-18 in) apart. |
| temperatures down to -12 0C (10 0F). They may | | | | - Kale (tall) - Space 75 cm (30 in) apart. |
| generally be sown into the open ground. However, | | | | Winter-grown vegetables may be vulnerable to pests |
| instead of sowing them directly into their final | | | | such as pigeons and rabbits, so you may need to |
| growing place where they may take up space that | | | | protect them with netting. |
| could be used by summer crops, make a separate | | | | Harvesting Winter Crops |
| seedbed to start them off then move them once | | | | - Brussels sprouts - Can be harvested 20 weeks |
| the summer crops have been harvested. | | | | after sowing, although their nutty flavour is often |
| The seeds should ideally be sown in spring (generally | | | | enhanced if subjected to frost. Collects the sprouts |
| between March and May) into moist seed drills 1-2.5 | | | | from the base of the plant; the upper sprouts will |
| cm (1/2-1 in) deep and spaced 15 cm (6 in) apart. | | | | continue to develop. |
| You should try to aim for a gap of 5-10 cm (2-4 in) | | | | - Broccoli - Ready to harvest in 11-14 weeks after |
| between each seed. When you have covered the | | | | sowing. Cut off the main broccoli head when it is 7-10 |
| seed drill with soil, protect the emerging plants from | | | | cm (3-4 in) in diameter and before the flowers begin |
| bad weather and pests with a sheet of garden | | | | to open; this will encourage the sideshoots to |
| fleece, which can may be removed as the weather | | | | develop. These should be harvested when they |
| becomes warmer. | | | | reach 7 cm (3 in). |
| As the seedlings develop, pull out any weak or | | | | - Kale - Most cultivars can be harvested 7 weeks |
| spindly plants, leaving the strong plants at the correct | | | | after sowing, but may be left to stand in the ground |
| spacing. This spacing will vary, so always check the | | | | for some time. Snap off leaves during autumn and |
| seed packet for advice. Kale should be given a | | | | winter to encourage new growth. |
| nitrogenous top-dressing to encourage growth. | | | | - Leeks - May be harvested 16-20 weeks after |
| Transplanting Winter Crops | | | | sowing, but may be left to stand for many months. |
| In the summer (between June and July) the young | | | | Leave in the ground until ready to use. |