rekha’s kitchen garden

Jobs around the allotment

I envy fellow gardeners who are able to dig and
prepare soil at this time of the year. Sadly, my plot sits
on a high water table and is best left to rest while the
green manure grows to stop the soil from eroding.
Luckily, my broad beans don’t seem to mind and
they’re growing well. With such wet winters, my
water butts will collect rainwater and I’ll need to
make sure the guttering on my shed and greenhouses
are cleared of debris. Last month, I added plenty of
well-rotted compost to the soil. This area is now
ready for the last of the hardneck garlic varieties to
be planted out. The log path also needs my attention
and will be mulched with fresh woodchip. Garlic needs up to two months of cool temperatures, at under 10°C, for good bulb development

Rekha checks on her broad beans, which are growing well, and will be ready to harvest from May

PHOTOS: PAUL DEBOIS; GETTY/PHOTOMARU

3 to start now
Gooseberry ‘Invicta’
Bred in the UK, this is a high-
yielding and mildew-resistant
variety that is delicious cooked
into puddings and jams.
How to Bare-root plants can be
planted from November to March,
when the plants are dormant.
Add plenty of organic matter to
the soil before planting, especially
on poor ground. Cooking varieties
will tolerate shade, but dessert
types need plenty of sun.
Alfalfa microgreens
These tiny plants can be grown
densely in a small container
on a windowsill. Packed full
of nutrients, they’re great
for perking up winter salads.
How to Soak seeds for 8-12 hours
in fresh tepid water, drain and place
seeds in a sprouter or a large jar.
Over 2 to 3 days, rinse and drain
seeds until germination occurs.
Harvest when shoots are small,
no larger than 3-4cm in length.
Onion ‘Ailsa Craig’
Loved by exhibition growers because
the bulbs can grow huge, but this
variety is also great for cooking
when harvested smaller.
How to Start in module trays
using seed compost and
provide base heat until
germination occurs. Grow
on in a cold frame, then
transfer into 7cm pots
until ready to plant out in
spring, in a sunny spot.

NEXT MONTH Rekha shares a vegetable that will spice up winter salads

88 gardenersworld.com