SoS: Growing Vegetables

Where has this week gone already?  It seems like only yesterday I was writing last week’s  SoS (Six on Saturday). My Six on Saturday this week focuses on vegetables.

Temperatures at night still hover between 4C and 12C and daytime temperatures usually above 14C to as high as 20C. Probably higher if I measured the temp in a sheltered, sunny corner of the garden.

1. Raised Vegetable Garden

The OH took pity on me and took control of the raised vegetable bed. He not only cleaned the area of weeds and rubbish, but also turned the soil and dug in some Siro manure compost for good measure.

2. Cucumbers

I considered trying to grow some cucumbers from seed but as I only wanted four (3 for me and 1 for the slugs) it’s easier to buy established seedlings every few months throughout the summer.

3. Growing Lettuce in Containers

Considering I can buy about 15 established seedling plugs for about 1 euro it’s not worth the effort of growing mixed lettuce from seed. I do, however, want some iceberg lettuce seeds so, if any or my Portuguese readers sees them in the local shops, please let me know.

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4. Spring Onions

We bought 50 onions. 25 white and 25 red. We planted the white onions in containers

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…and the red onions directly in the raised vegetable area. Apart from some thinning out we will allow the red onions to grow full size. Red onions are expensive in the shops so it’s worth giving them space.

5. Broccoli and Cauliflower

Another purchase from the market, broccoli and cauliflower. We bought six of each – two for the slugs and four for us.

As they are planted in full sun I have put crates over them for a couple of days to filter the sunlight. This gives them time to rehydrate after planting. AND the crates prevent the birds from eating the slug pellets. I really must try the beer method again. I’ve got the barley and yeast so this will be on my ‘To Do’ list for this week.

6. Planting Seeds

I’m  hardly spoiled for choice when it comes to seeds so I make do with what I can buy from Lidls or local shops. I keep meaning to get a seed catalogue but as I don’t have the space to germinate seeds and then plant on, I curb my enthusiasm.

Peas Dulce de Provenza: these are a bush variety (35cm) which are ready for harvesting in 65 days- planted directly into the ground. Seeds planted directly in ground.
French Beans Judia: These are a bush variety. There is no mention of harvesting expectations but studying the pictures on the pack I’ll hazard a guess ad 90days. Rather than plant directly in the ground I’ve planted these in recycled yogurt pots and then moved to a mini-cloche.
Radish National: planted in container. Harvest: 6-8 weeks?

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That’s it for this week. If you would like to join fellow gardeners and share your six, why not hop over to the Propagator’s blog and join in.