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Veg plot, packets of seed; prepared seedbed; garden trowel or dibber, garden fleece, pigeon netting.
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These plants are hardy so you can sow them outside. Instead of sowing them directly into their final growing place where they will take up space that could be used by summer crops, make a separate seedbed to start them off then move them once the summer crops have been harvested. Sow the seed of all three crops in spring into moist seed drills 1-2cm deep, each seed drill 15cm apart. Aim for 5-10cm between each seed. When you have covered the seed drill with soil, a covering of garden fleece will protect emerging plants from bad weather and pests.
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Remove garden fleece as weather gets warmer. Pull out weak plants leaving the strong plants at the correct spacing (this will vary so check the seed packet for advice). Kale may need a high nitrogen liquid feed if the leaves look sickly.
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In summer (June-July) the young plants can be moved and planted in spaces left by harvested summer crops. Leeks should be about 20cm tall and as thick as a pencil. Water plants in seedbed and lift out gently with a garden fork. Leeks are separated from each other and the roots trimmed to about 8-10cm - you can trim very long leaves too to compensate. Drop each plant into a hole made with a dibber - the end of an old spade handle is perfect. The deeper the hole, the longer the whiter the stem will be, but some of the leaves must be above soil level. Fill each hole with water to settle the plants in. They will flop at first but will soon pick up. You can also plant leeks deeply with a trowel. Aim for a plant every 15cm in rows 30cm apart for average sized leeks.
Kale and broccoli should be lifted carefully from the watered seedbed with as much root as possible. They may flop after planting even if well watered, but will quickly recover. Kale is spaced 45cm apart each way, broccoli 60cm apart each way. Broccoli requires a fairly rich soil with plenty of nitrogen, so apply some nitrogen fertiliser (eg Nitrochalk or dried blood). Water this in if it does not rain in the next day.
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Winter veg is vulnerable to pigeons, rabbits and the like so you should net crops before they are raided. In windy areas, pile up earth around the base of broccoli plants or stake them to stop them blowing over.
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Sow the seed into a prepared seed bed |
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Thin out weak seedlings leaving well spaced plants |
Move the plants when summer veg have finished |
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