About This Cheat SheetThis cheat sheet is based on my own (small) garden and greenhouse, in the south of the UK. Dates for other places will be different. | Also, I'm inexperienced with gardening, so don't go taking any of this as gospel. YMMV. | Suggestions and tips very welcome! |
How to Grow CucumbersSow in February, harvest from May to October | Plant seed edgeways in 1cm deep compost. | Remove any male flowers (female flowers will have a miniature cucumber behind the flower). | Train main shoots onto 1.8m canes until they reach top of support, then pinch out growing point. | Feed your cucumber plants with a high potash feed every two weeks once the fruits begin to develop. | Once fruit begins to develop, pinch out end of each side shoot, leaving two leaves after each fruit. | Harvest early in the morning and before fruits produce seeds. |
How to Grow GarlicAim to plant in October. Buy bulb(s) in September. | Turn over soil, remove weeds, add compost. | Make furrows about 3 inches deep and six inches apart. | Plant cloves about 4 inches deep and six inches apart, pointy side up. | Water in, then add some mulch, leaf compost or straw over the bed. | Shoots will appear in spring. | Early May, "scapes" will sprout - pull off (and eat). | Mid-to-late Jun, plant will start turning brown. Stop watering. | Once plant is brown, except for top 5 or 6 leaves, dig up bulbs. | Cure with leaves on out of direct sunlight. |
How to Grow GingerPlant and harvest in March/April | Soak ginger overnight | Plant in rich, well-draining soil | Likes a sheltered spot, filtered sunlight, warm weather and humidity | Harvest ginger any time after leaves have died down | Freeze, or cut into chunks and store in brandy |
How to Grow Runner BeansSow seeds end of April, plant in May, harvest from July to October | Sow seed indoors, 4cm deep in a 7.5cm pot filled with multi-purpose compost. | Water, place on a sunny windowsill to germinate. | Seedlings will be ready to plant after ~3 weeks. | Before planting, put in a cold frame or a cool porch for a few days to acclimatise. | Beans will need support to climb - 8 foot bamboo poles are ideal. | Water heavily, twice a week in dry weather. | Harvest regularly - the more you pick, the more they produce! |
How to Grow StrawberriesPlant in Spring or Autumn | Ideal for hanging baskets. Like rich, sandy soil and lots of heat and light. | Plant with crown above soil. | Feed with tomato feed every 10 days. | Use straw to keep fruit from contact with soil/compost. | Harvest fruits as soon as ripe. | Strawberry plants should be replaced after three years. | Remove runners until after plant has cropped. | If growing runners, allow to get to 4 leaves then cut off and replant. | Don't let new runner plants flower in same year as planting. |
Three types of strawberry:
- Alpines produce small sweet berries from July-September.
- Summer-fruiting produce larger fruits in early and mid-summer.
- Perpetual-fruiting produce fruit early summer to early autumn. How to Grow TomatoesSow seeds in March/April. Transfer seedlings in April/May. | Grow with basil to deter aphids and marigolds to deter whitefly. | Planting | Sprinkle seeds over compost and cover with 1.5mm compost. | Transfer to pots when large enough to handle, without touching stem | Stake plants when ~18 inches tall (don't let ties cut into stems) | Pruning, Watering and Feeding | Remove sideshoots (don't leave a stump) | Lower leaves which show any signs of yellowing should also be removed | Remove leaves below first flower cluster | Remove growing tip when reaches top of support | Remove any more than 5-7 trusses | Water at same time of day every when needed | Feed regularly with high-potash plant food |
| | Foraging TipsDon't mix pickings from different plants in same container where possible and take a photo of the source, to help confirm identity of plant if required. |
To Do: JanuaryClean tools, greenhouse, patio ... :( |
To Do: FebruaryPlant | Harvest | Forage | Cucumber | | Warmth |
To Do: MarchPlant | Harvest | Forage | Rocket | Ginger | Spinach | Ginger | Tomatoes | Potatoes |
To Do: AprilPlant | Harvest | Forage | Strawberries | | Wild Garlic |
To Do: MayPlant | Harvest | Forage | Strawberries | Cucumber | Pignuts |
To Do: JunePlant | Harvest | Forage | Strawberries | Cucumber | Pignuts | | | | Good King Henry | | | | Fat Hen | | | | Elderflower |
To Do: JulyPlant | Harvest | Forage | | | Cucumber | Good King Henry | | | Runner Beans | Fat Hen | | | Garlic |
To Do: AugustPlant | Harvest | Forage | Christmas New Potatoes | Cucumber | Blackberries | | | Runner Beans | Bilberries | | | | Good King Henry | | | | Fat Hen | | | | Damsons |
To Do: SeptemberPlant | Harvest | Forage | | | Cucumber | Elderberries | | | Runner Beans | Blackberries | Buy Garlic Bulbs | | Crab Apples |
To Do: OctoberPlant | Harvest | Forage | Garlic | Runner Beans | Sloes | | | | Crab Apples |
To Do: NovemberPlant | Harvest | Forage | | | | Sloes | | | | Crab Apples | | | | Rosehips |
Potato Planting and HarvestingCrop | Plant From | Plant to | Harvest After | First early potatoes | End Feb | Late May | 10 weeks | Second early potatoes | March | Late May | 13 weeks | Early maincrop potatoes | March | Late May | 15 weeks | Maincrop potatoes | March | Mid May | 20 weeks | Second cropping potatoes | Early August | End August | 11 weeks |
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Awesome, thanks :)
BTW I think this is also useful in the southern hemisphere, I am pretty sure its just + 6 months. I am sending a copy to my hubby who is a big green thumb I think he'll find it useful :) great idea for a cheat sheet :)
Thanks very much!
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