BRUSSELS SPROUTS
The first frost has hit most parts of the UK a few weeks ago so
Brussels Sprouts are at their most tasty in December. Remove any
leaves near the base of the plant which turn yellow to help avoid
pest and disease.
When harvesting Brussels Sprouts, use a knife to cut them off,
simply pulling the sprouts off may well damage the plants.
December is a good time to prepare the gound for next year's
Brussels Sprouts because they like a firm soil which has not
recently been dug.
Click here for full information on Brussels Sprouts.
LETTUCE
Prepare the ground for next year's lettuce in December. Unless
your soil is poor in nutrients don't dig in much (if any) nitrogen
rich fertiliser, just well-rotted organic matter which will
provide a slow release of nutrients. Remember that lettuce can't
take too much heat so they are very good candidates for planting
out early with the protection of a cloche.
Click here for easy to follow instructions.
PEAS
Peas are another crop which appreciate soil preparation in
December for next year's crop. As with lettuce, dig in plenty of
organic material but don't add nitrogen fertilisers. Peas are well
able to extract a certain amount of nitrogen from the air and
store it in nodes in the roots.
A lover of of most of the UK climate, peas prefer cool moist
conditions so they are very suited to being started off early in
the season with cloche protection.
Click here for easy to follow instructions.
RHUBARB
Rhubarb crowns can be planted throughout December. Give them a try
- rhubarb produces a crop in late Spring or early summer when
other fruit and vegetables are not ready. If you already have
rhubarb it will appreciate being divided every five years or so.
If you can't use the extra crowns produced by dividing a plant,
maybe a friend or neighbour can use them.
Click here for easy to follow instructions on rhubarb care.
MAINCROP and NEW POTATOES
If you haven't got round to it yet December is a good time to
prepare the ground for next year's potatoes. Also, do a little
research on potato varieties because late December onwards is the
time to buy your potato seeds.
Click here for easy to follow instructions.
WINTER CABBAGE
December is a great month for harvesting Winter Cabbage. If any of
the leaves are turning yellow, pick them off to avoid pest and
diseases. December is also a good time to prepare the ground for
next year's Winter Cabbage. Choose a different plot from that used
this year to avoid passing on diseases. If you prepare the ground
now, manure and lots of well-rotted compost can be applied to the
soil and dug in well.
Click here for easy to follow instructions.
SUMMER CAULIFLOWER
Prepare the ground for next year's Summer Cauliflower. These are
hungry feeders so they appreciate lots of manure and well-rotted
compost dug in now which will rot down and provide long term food
during the growing months next year.
Click here for easy to follow instructions.
