Vegetable A - B

Vegetable C - G

Vegetable H - L

Vegetable M - R

Vegetable S - Z

Name

Plant

Harvest

Pests

Details

Alfalfa Seed
(Bean shoots)

Any time of year

When roots 2.5cm long

Grown in jars without soil. Ready to eat in about five days.

Artichoke (Globe)

April

Aphid, Slugs

Like an open sunny position in well manured soil. These plants are perennials. Protect from frost by covering with straw. Feed with liquid manure and mulch to keep moist. It is normal practice to remove the buds in the first year.

Asparagus

April

June
(short season)

Asparagus beetle,

Slugs

These plants (crowns) are perennials. Like well drained manured soil in a sheltered but sunny position. At end of the year cut down to 5cm and mulch with manure or compost. Do not harvest in the first year, some leave for two years. Harvest when about 15cms tall and cut below soil level.

Aubergine  

(Egg plant)

April under glass

Late August

Aphid, Red Spider Mite,  White fly

Plant in pots and place outside in May. Avoid windy location. Stake plants if required. Pinch out tops when 40cms high to encourage plant to bush. When fruits form feed once a week using tomato feed.

Beans - Broad

March (seeds)

Aphid, Bean Seed Fly,  Bean Weevil

Like damp manured ground. Fertilise ground a week before sowing.  Sow in twin rows 20cms apart in shallow 7.5cm deep trench with 65cms between each twin row.

Beans - Dwarf French

May

August

Aphid, Bean Seed Fly,  Bean Weevil

Sow seeds 10cms apart in rows. Rows should be up to 45cms apart. Plant seeds 5cms deep. When flowers appear  feed once a week. Harvest pods while young, this improves plant yield. Cover with glass if the temperature is likely to be below 10C. Warning. Raw pods or beans are poisonous. The toxins are destroyed by cooking.

Beans - Runner

April
(in pots in green house or under cloches or outside late May)

Aphid, Bean Seed Fly,  Bean Weevil

Should be planted in well dug and manured soil. Plants can be grown up poles, canes or through trellis and nets. The seeds should be 7.5cms deep and 15cms apart.   Pinch out the tips of shoots when 45cms high. Liquid feed regularly and water in dry weather. Ensure no pods turn to seed.

Beetroot

May to June (after frosts)

White Grubs

Should not be grown in freshly manured soil. This causes misshapen roots. Sow in shallow drills 2.5cms deep and 30cms apart.

Broccoli

Seed late April to May

Next February  to May

Aphid, Clubroot, Cabbage Root Fly, Caterpillars

Like firm well drained soil. A few days before sowing apply a general fertiliser. Do not plant too close together as they will grow quite large, they need to be 50cms apart.  In dry weather water well. Pick from the centre to encourage side shoots to prolong cropping.

Brussels Sprouts

In beds March to April.

Plant out in late May to June.

October to March

Aphid, Clubroot

Like firm non-manured ground. Sow thinly 1cm deep, spacing them 60cms apart and 60cms between rows. Water well after transplanting and in dry weather. Take dead leaves off and leave on ground for mulch.  Plants inclined to be fragile so stake if required.